Things to Do around Amherst
Amherst, a region in Western Massachusetts, is characterized by its diverse topography, making it a notable destination for outdoor activities. The area features a hilltop center, bordered by a ring of ranges and monadnocks, which encircle the flat plains of the Connecticut River Valley. This varied landscape provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Amherst
Amherst offers a variety of outdoor activities for enthusiasts. There are several routes…
71
Routes
4.9
(18)
Average rating
441
People visited
5
hikers
7.86km
02:19
110m
90m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
2
hikers
5.25km
01:27
100m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
hikers
6.08km
01:44
150m
150m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
hikers
2.89km
00:47
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(3)
33
riders
14.4km
01:31
160m
160m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
5.0
(1)
11
riders
14.9km
01:22
240m
240m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
8
riders
6.61km
00:34
60m
60m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
27
riders
14.9km
01:25
250m
250m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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18
runners
22.3km
02:26
150m
150m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
10.5km
01:20
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
runners
5.05km
00:31
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
runners
7.49km
00:46
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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2
riders
57.1km
02:55
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
13
riders
36.6km
01:35
220m
220m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
8
riders
54.5km
02:17
320m
320m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
7
riders
55.9km
02:31
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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51.2km
03:43
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
32.6km
02:28
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
7
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
riders
86.5km
06:58
1,180m
1,180m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
79.6km
05:52
1,030m
1,030m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
133km
09:54
1,960m
1,960m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
riders
101km
06:37
1,470m
1,470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
2
riders
49.1km
03:33
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Most popular attractions in Amherst
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Amherst, Massachusetts?
Amherst, Massachusetts, offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The region features varied terrain from flat plains to challenging ranges and monadnocks.
Where are the best hiking trails in Amherst?
Notable hiking areas in Amherst include Amethyst Brook conservation land and Mount Holyoke Range State Park, which offers challenging trails. The Amherst College Trails also provide hiking opportunities. For more options, explore the Hiking around Amherst guide.
What are the main mountain biking areas in Amherst?
Mountain biking is popular in Amherst, with trails available at Mount Holyoke Range State Park, including "Earl's Trails" behind Hampshire College. Other areas like Lawrence Swamp, Orchard Hill / UMass Trails, and Wildwood Trail Network also offer mountain biking options. The MTB Trails around Amherst guide provides further details.
Are there good road cycling routes in Amherst?
Amherst is a central hub for road cycling in Western Massachusetts. The Pelham-Shutesbury-Leverett loop is a popular route featuring challenging hills and descents. The Road Cycling Routes around Amherst guide details more options.
What are the best cycling routes for touring in Amherst?
The Norwottock Rail Trail is an easy, flat, and paved path spanning 11 miles (18 km), connecting Belchertown to Northampton and linking to other trail networks. The Cycling around Amherst guide offers additional touring routes.
Are there easy or family-friendly trails in Amherst?
Yes, the Norwottock Rail Trail is an easy, flat, and paved path suitable for families. For hiking, the Easy hikes around Amherst guide provides specific recommendations.
What is the average rating for outdoor routes in Amherst on komoot?
Outdoor routes in Amherst have an average rating of 4.93 out of 5 stars on komoot. More than 800 visitors have shared their experiences, contributing to these ratings.
What komoot guides are available for Amherst?
Komoot offers several guides for Amherst, including Hiking around Amherst, Easy hikes around Amherst, MTB Trails around Amherst, and Cycling around Amherst. Guides for road cycling, running, and gravel biking are also available.
What makes Amherst a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts?
Amherst's appeal stems from its diverse terrain, which accommodates various activities and skill levels. Significant natural features like the Mount Holyoke Range and the Connecticut River Valley, combined with well-maintained and interconnected trail systems, enhance the outdoor experience.
How can I contact the Amherst, Massachusetts, municipal office?
The official website for Amherst, Massachusetts, is amherstma.gov. The general information phone number is (413) 259-3000 or (413) 259-3083 for the Fire Department. A directory for specific departments is available on the official website.
Are there trails for jogging or running in Amherst?
Yes, Amherst offers trails suitable for jogging and running. The Norwottock Rail Trail is a flat, paved option. For more specific routes, consult the Running Trails around Amherst guide.
What kind of terrain can be expected on trails in Amherst?
Amherst's trails feature diverse terrain, ranging from flat, paved rail trails to more demanding routes with elevation changes. This includes river floodplains, rolling hills, farmlands, wetlands, and conservation areas.
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