Plan a Perfect Fall Getaway: Outdoor Adventurer

One only needs to step out of doors in the Berkshires to realize there is beauty at every turn. The leafy greens of summer will soon give way to leaves hued in golds, reds, and oranges.  Temperatures will cool down while the bright sun will still provide comfortable warmth, the perfect combination for a bike ride to take in the views. Berkshire Bike & Board, with locations in Pittsfield and Great Barrington, can provide ideas for great cycling routes, and can tune your bike if needed.

Have you experienced the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail? This one-time railroad track is now a 10-foot wide, smoothly-paved trail spanning 12 miles from Cheshire to Pittsfield, running alongside Cheshire Lake. Enjoy beautiful bird songs, native plant life, and even an occasional beaver dam as you pass.  Complete with mile markers to keep track of your distance, and benches to stop, rest, and enjoy a picnic lunch or snack, the Rail Trail is a great way to spend a Fall day.

Cheshire Lake, credit Ogden Gigli

A bit farther north, in Adams, is the Greylock Glen, with trails for walking, hiking, or mountain biking. Most notably, the Greylock Glen is the gateway to the Mt. Greylock State Reservation trail system.  Hike or bike a network of trails  – some smooth, some gravel-covered, and, for the most adventurous, some steep and rocky. No matter how simple or strenuous a course you choose, being enveloped by the scent of pine and a picturesque tree line is motivation all on its own. For more outdoor options, check out nearby State parks, or the list of top trail recommendations offered by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council on their many properties. And thrill seekers, take note – why not view the Fall colors from above? Hop on a scenic chair lift ride, mountain coaster, or zipline for a one-of-a kind Fall adventure! Check out Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Catamount’s Aerial Adventure Park, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, and Bousquet Mountain. Choose one, or try them all!

The perfect Fall day is incomplete without the perfect Fall apple. Visit Richmond, and make a reservation at Hilltop Orchards to pick your own basket of fresh apples, or to walk through the professionally designed trails. Try the warm cider donuts, artisanal ciders (and take a cidery tour), and wines made on-site. At nearby Bartlett’s Orchards, bring your pup (leashed, please) to pick your favorite apples, and visit the farm stand, open year-round, for freshly baked muffins, turnovers, and pies. Of course, don’t forget the cider donuts! And Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock is a must-see for the Giant Pumpkin House, corn maze, natural beef and maple products, and baked goods. Pet animals, and then grab a roast beef sandwich at the Calf-A to round out your Fall adventure. There is simply nothing better than a glorious Fall day outside in the Berkshires! Find more outdoorsy things to do and places to visit during your stay.

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