Lee, Ma.

Connecting Town and Trail

The town of Lee, Massachusetts, is centrally located in Berkshire County, home of one of the most scenic and culturally vibrant areas of the state. Every season brings thousands of tourists to the Berkshires for the scenery, the arts, and outdoor activities. Among the tourists are Appalachian Trail hikers looking for a resupply, hot showers, lodging, and something other than trail food.

Approximately 12 miles of the A.T. meander through the scenic Tyringham Valley with its many vistas and enter October Mountain State Forest (the largest in Massachusetts) with its lakes and lush forests. Lee is located about 6 miles from the A.T. There are 6 A.T. road crossings where you can easily get access to our quaint New England town.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin is owned by the National Park Service and managed by Appalachian Mountain Club Western MA volunteers, with overnight accommodations for A.T. hikers. A free caretaker-prepared pancake breakfast is a favorite among hikers. The cabin has six double bunks, a covered porch, and campsites. It is open May through October when a volunteer caretaker is present. The pond is a great place for a refreshing dip for tired A.T. hikers.

The AMC Western MA Appalachian Trail Management Committee (A.T. Committee) is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of that portion of the 90 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) located in Massachusetts. The A.T. Committee coordinates the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the Trail open, overnight sites maintained, and the trail lands and natural resources protected. The Committee works in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service.

Plan Your Visit

With a population of 6,000, Lee is a quaint New England town with lots of history. In 1867, with 25 paper mills, Lee was the leading manufacturer of paper in the United States. Lee is also well known for its marble quarry that provided marble for many historical buildings and monuments throughout the U.S., including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Grant’s tomb in New York City, and The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument in DC.

Within 20 miles of Lee, there are art and cultural museums, gardens, tour-guided gilded mansions, music venues, theater groups, a yoga retreat, a dance festival, a performing art center, and much more. Visit berkshires.org to explore activities.

For an enjoyable walk in the woods, you can visit the many properties preserved by the The Trustees of Reservations and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council.

LOCAL SERVICES FOR HIKERS

Featured Local Hikes 

• Tyringham Cobble Loop: 5.5 mile drive from Lee. Ascend through orchards and woodlands to ancient formations of exposed bedrock and panoramic vistas of the serene Tyringham Valley. Hike two miles of trails—including a section of the Appalachian Trail—over the twin knobs of the Cobble for spectacular views of the valley. Keep an eye out for an unusually shaped rock formation known as Rabbit Rock.
• A.T. to Goose Pond Cabin (4.6 miles round trip): From Lee, drive 5.2 miles to Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway and Appalachian Trail Parking Area. Enjoy this premier coldwater pond, sit on the dock, enjoy the scenery, and check out the porch and cabin used by A.T. thru-hikers during the hiking season.
• Basin Pond: 5.2 mile drive from Lee. Two trails (1.5 or 2.5 miles) lead visitors across streams and cascades through a boulder-strewn natural amphitheater to a beaver pond and the site of two long-gone manmade dams. Enjoy the viewing platform overlooking the pond.

Trail Access Map (PDF)

Get Involved

AMC Western, MA

The AMC Western MA Appalachian Trail Management Committee (A.T. Committee) is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of that portion of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) located in Massachusetts. This section of the A.T. encompasses nearly 90 miles of trail. The A.T. Committee coordinates the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the trail open, overnight sites maintained, and the trail lands and natural resources protected.

The Committee works in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service. Each year from April to September, we organize regular work parties for maintenance and improvement of the foot bed, trail shelters, signs, and so on. Projects vary in complexity, but all include activities for both first timers and seasoned maintainers. For more information, check out our Volunteer Activities.