10 Popular Mountains In Massachusetts

When you think about Massachusetts you may not always think about mountains, but Massachusetts has some of the most unique forested mountains in the United States. Every year millions of people visit the mountains in Massachusetts to enjoy everything that the mountains have to offer. The mountains in Massachusetts are an integral part of the history of the United States and of the Native American tribes who hold many of them sacred. Whether you are going to the mountains to hike, ski, or look at the stunning autumn colors during leaf-peeping season, these mountains in Massachusetts are worth the drive, and the climb.

10 Mountains In Massachusetts

Mount Greylock

Located in: Mount Greylock State Reservation

Height: 3,491 feet

Nearby City:  Adams

Known For: Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts. It’s easily accessible through the Mount Greylock State Reservation and there are fantastic outdoor activities to enjoy all year round like hunting, skiing, hiking, cycling, and some camping. The Appalachian Trail runs for 90 miles in Massachusetts and it crosses Mount Greylock. Thru-hikers can camp overnight at AT shelters near Mount Greylock but the nearby town of Adams is accessible for hikers that need to resupply or just want a break from the trail.

Famous author Herman Melville, who lived nearby, loved Mount Greylock so much he had a special deck built on his home that had a view of the mountain so he could see it whenever he wanted. Hiking trails to the summit of Mount Greylock are easy and have a gradual slope so they are appropriate for hikers of all abilities. You can also drive most of the way up the mountain.

Mount Watatic

Located in: Wapack Mountains

Height: 1,832 feet

Nearby City:  Ashburnham

Known For: Mount Watatic is a very popular place for hikers in Massachusetts. It used to have a busy ski resort located on the slopes so there are lots of trails that hikers can use although many are no longer kept up. Mount Watatic is the end point of a 22-mile trail called the Wapack Trail that winds through the Wapack Mountains. It’s also very close to the end of the Midstate Trail. If you’re hiking up to the summit most people take the Class 1 Wapack Trail because it’s got a gentler elevation and a very easy four-mile loop around the mountain that will provide the best mountain views. You can hike this mountain even in the winter although be prepared for cold and snow if you’re hiking between November and April.

Mount Norwottuck

Located in: Holyoke Mountains

Height: 1,106 feet

Nearby City:  Amherst

Known For: The summit of Mount Norwottuck gives you a fantastic view of the Pioneer Valley below. There are a couple of moderately easy trails that lead to the summit over about a two mile stretch. Going to the summit and back is a nice hike for a summer day but it can be a lot more challenging if you try it in the winter. The winter view of the Pioneer Valley is worth the effort though. If you’re hiking Mount Norwottuck between November and March you might want to bring snowshoes with you. There are lots of little side trails you can take all along the main trail if you want to explore the area but the best way back from the summit is the Robert Frost Trail.

Mount Wachusett

Located in: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

Height: 2,005 feet

Nearby City:  Princeton

Known For: Mount Wachusett is a very popular place for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and skiing. There is a large ski resort there and during the winter you can ski on 25 different trails. Mount Wachusett is also home to pockets of old growth forest that are more than 350 years old. Hikers and skiers are not allowed to damage or interfere with the old growth forests and can be fined or be barred from the mountain if they damage any of the trees there.

The state has taken steps to protect this old growth forest. Originally the mountain was a sacred location to the Nipmuc tribe who lived in the area before the English settlers arrived. The remaining Nipmuc tribe members who live in the area would like to see a cultural center preserving Nipmuc culture created near the mountain.

Monument Mountain

Located in: Berkshires

Height: 1,739 feet

Nearby City:  Great Barrington

Known For:  The name Monument Mountain comes from the old stone monuments that the Mohican tribe used to leave on the mountain. To the Mohicans, the mountain was sacred. The Mohicans would leave stone statues and objects as tributes to the spirits of the mountain and their ancestors.

It’s a popular hiking area for locals and tourists alike. More than 20,000 hikers make the trek up to the summit, which is called Peeskawso Peak. Some of the most notable hiking enthusiasts who were entranced by Monument Mountain were authors Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Monument Mountain Summit trail is a moderately difficult almost 4 mile hike. This trail will take you along the ridgeline of the mountain. The Monument Mountain Summit Trail gives you the chance to see the best views from the peak as well as some of the Mohican stone offerings.

Mount Tom

Located in: Mount Tom Range

Height: 1,202

Nearby City:  Holyoke

Known For: Intermediate and advanced hikers love hiking the main trail to the summit of Mount Tom. Even though it is best for intermediate and advanced hikers it’s a good day trail for beginner hikers to try if they want to challenge themselves. It has lovely scenic views for birding. Andd there are many different types of birds that you can see along this trail, especially if you hike in the morning. Mount Tom trails can be hard to get through during the winter. If you bring snowshoes or cross-country skis it’s easier to enjoy the snow.

According to local folklore, the unique steep silhouette of Mount Tom was the inspiration for Mount Crumpet in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Whether or not that’s true when you hike Mount Tom keep an eye out for the Grinch and his dog Max, or at least for his cave.

Saddle Ball Mountain

Located in: Mount Greylock State Reservation

Height: 3,238 feet

Nearby City:  New Ashford

Known For: Saddle Ball Mountain is the second-highest mountain in Massachusetts and the Appalachian Trail crosses Saddle Ball Mountain for about seven miles. Hikers can get to the summit by taking the Appalachian Trail, which is marked with white blazes. Or hikers who want to a challenge can take Jones Nose Trail which has a steep climb to get to some gorgeous mountain meadows. In the spring the meadows are full of wildflowers which creates a stunning view. To come back down from the summit without having to go through a rapid descent try taking Northrup Trail or Bradley Farm Trail.

Mount Fitch

Located in: Mount Greylock State Reservation

Height: 3,110 feet

Nearby City:  Adams

Known For: Mount Fitch is the third tallest peak in Massachusetts. It sits directly between the highest mountain in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock, and Mount Williams. Even though the Appalachian Trail crosses almost right through the center of Mount Fitch there is no Appalachian Trail blaze at the summit. The Appalachian Trail Club requires that a peak has 200 feet of distance from another peak in order to be considered part of the Trail, and Mount Fitch is less than 200 feet from another peak.

But there is a moderate level 11-mile loop trail that starts where the AT crosses the summer and loops around the mountain. It’s a nice day hike for intermediate or advanced hikers but it might be too much for beginner hikers. There are some shorter side trails beginner hikers can take when they are ready to drop off the loop.

Bakke Mountain

Located in: Florida, MA

Height: 2,556 feet

Nearby City:  Florida

Known For: Bakke Mountain is a wildlife refuge and a fantastic place to hike if you love to see animals out in the wild. It’s also being used as a site for developing wind energy. It’s one of the primary sites for the Hoosac Wind Project. The area where the wind farm is located has a series of wind turbines fueled by the winds from the mountain. They generate energy that the state hopes to continue using as an alternative source of energy. There are plans for the Hoosac Wind Project to expand in the coming decade to give the people of Massachusetts more access to renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Mount Williams

Located in: Mount Greylock State Reservation

Height: 2,951

Nearby City:  Adams

Known For: Mount Williams is a very accessible mountain for hikers of all levels and tourists. There are paved roads that end in parking areas at most of the trailheads that go to the summit. The Appalachian Trail runs the length of the summit. So if you hike the summit you say you have hiked on the Appalachian Trail.

Experienced hikers can challenge themselves by taking the Mount Fitch Loop trail. This is one trail that goes over all three of the mountains in that region: Mount Greylock, Saddle Ball Mountain, and Mount Williams. Another challenging hike to the summit is Robinson’s Point Loop. The Prospect Mountain Trail is good for advanced beginner or intermediate hikers. But hikers that really want to push themselves can take the East Mount State Forest Trail.

10 Tallest Mountains In Massachusetts

• Mount Greylock
• Saddle Ball Mountain 
• Mount Fitch
• Mount Williams
• Mount Everett 
• Bakke Mountain
• Mount Frissell
• Mount Race
• Adams Mountain
• Mount Wachusett

Highest Point In Massachusetts

Mount Greylock – 3,491 feet

Summary Of 10 Popular Mountains In Massachusetts

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