Adventure Strength - Hiking

This 5-week course will combine in-the-gym strength & conditioning, with a progressive series hiking local mountains with an Adventure East guide. Combine this series with strength building sessions at Commonwealth Strength or My Health Matters Fitness.

Sugarloaf Mountain: Saturday, September 21, 9a-12p

This 3.7 mile hike begins on Hillside Road in South Deerfield. We have a steady hike uphill to the top of Sugarloaf North where we have great views of South Deerfield and beyond into the Hill Towns. Continuing down the side of Sugarloaf North we return to the valley floor and hike a gentle rise into the saddle between Sugarloaf North and Sugarloaf. Some impressive old growth oak and maple are present here. Continuing up Sugarloaf Mountain we reach the summit with impressive views of the Connecticut River Valley and the Mount Holyoke Range to the south.

Mt Toby: Saturday, September 28, 9a-12p

Located in Sunderland’s backyard, Mount Toby’s nearly 10,000 acres makes for a natural playground with endless trails to explore. We will make a 4.6 mile out and back hike up the western flank of Mt Toby to the summit. We’ll start at the Sunderland Pavilion and take North Mountain Road to the Summit Trail. The Summit Trail is a good trail to begin experiencing steep hiking terrain. At the top of Mt Toby, we can climb the fire tower for impressive views of the valley before returning to the valley floor.

Mt Norwottuck: Saturday, October 5, 9a-12p

Mount Norwottuck is the highest peak of the Holyoke Range and is the high point of this 5-mile loop hike on the range. Starting from Bay Rd in Amherst we will climb almost 800 vertical feet before reaching the summit. Our route will take us through the Horse Caves, giving us an opportunity to experience maneuvering over sheer rock faces. From the top of Mount Norwottuck we will continue on the New England Trail towards the Notch before heading down the Trolley Trail and Brook Bank Trail passing by Kestrel Land Trust headquarters at the end of the hike.

Mt Stratton: Saturday, October 12, 9a-12p

Located in Northfield, Mount Stratton offers spectacular views in every direction with Mount Grace, Mount Ascutney, Mount Wachusett and Mount Monadnock visible on a clear day. This  5-mile out and back hike has a roller coaster feel as we ascend and descend along Mount Stratton’s flank before reaching the summit.

Seven Sisters Traverse: Saturday, October 19, 9a-3p

The 7-mile hike starts at the Kestrel Land Trust Headquarters in Amherst. We will climb two miles from the base of the valley, ascending 900 feet, to arrive at the peak of Bare Mountain. Following the ridgeline and passing over Mt Hitchcock, we will continue over the Seven Sisters. Here, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way before passing by the historic Skinner House, one of the first mountain top hotels in New England. We will descend back into the valley ending our hike at Route 47 near the Connecticut River where we will shuttle back to Kestrel.