Elevate Your Fall Hiking

Visit some of the highest peaks at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. 

As cooler weather rolls through and treetops take on their fall hues, it is a great time to venture to some of the most scenic vistas and striking overlooks at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Reach new heights at six fan-favorite fall hikes across Massachusetts and make the most of your time outdoors this season. 

1. 534-Foot Peak at Moose Hill, Sharon 

A gradual ascent on Bluff Trail leads to peak fall foliage views at Mass Audubon’s oldest property, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon. Along the winding woodland path, notice the historic stone walls that meander through the sanctuary. When you reach Bluff Overlook, enjoy sweeping sights over Foxboro and surrounding towns to the west. Throughout the 90-minute trek, visitors may encounter signs of raccoons and Wild Turkeys, a couple of popular fall residents. 

For those looking for an extra heart-pumping opportunity, head back to the nature center via the short—but steep—Summit Trail, peaking at 534 feet. Although dense forest growth surrounds the summit, you will see the fire tower and faint striations in the bedrock made by glacier-dragged rocks thousands of years ago. 

2. 1,200-Foot Peak at High Ledges, Shelburne 

Soak in the views of the Deerfield River Valley, Mohawk Trail, and Mount Greylock from the ledges that earned High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary in Shelburne its name. A moderate mile-long hike up Sanctuary Road pays off when it peaks at The Ledges, where expanses of trees fill the horizon at approximately 1,200 feet. 

Turkey Vultures are often spotted soaring below, and the hoots of Barred Owls and drumming of woodpeckers radiate through the forest. The neighboring protected lands provide landscapes for some of our state’s larger mammals, such as Moose, Black Bear, Bobcat, and Coyote, who may leave signs of their travels as they pass through the sanctuary. 

3. 2,120-Foot Peak at Pleasant Valley, Lenox 

For a strenuous hike with a stellar payoff, head to the top of Lenox Mountain for an approximately 2-hour, 3-mile round-trip adventure at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox.  

The Trail of the Ledges guides you up 850 vertical feet to the summit at 2,120 feet, where you’ll enjoy the vista of Mount Greylock to the north, the Taconic Range to the west, and the Catskill Mountains of New York to the southeast. On your way down the mountain via the Overbrook Trail, enjoy lush forest, gentle streams, and busy wildlife such as Pileated Woodpeckers and mink.  

4. 287-Foot Peak at Drumlin Farm, Lincoln 

A scenic ¾-mile route through the Hayfield Loop winds through some of the wilder sections of Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Venture another half-mile on the Drumlin Loop to the top of the 287-foot drumlin, one of the highest elevations in Greater Boston, and peer beyond the multicolored treetops for views of Mount Wachusett in the distance. Look for the arrival of White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, and signs of Coyotes searching for voles in the fields as they prepare for the winter. 

For a short, energizing journey to the top, start at the Drumlin Loop and head straight up to the drumlin. 

5. 1,696-Foot Peak at Old Baldy, Otis 

The short, steep single trail at Old Baldy Wildlife Sanctuary in Otis leads to spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding fields, forests, and hills. The path to the 1,696-foot summit provides habitat for the uncommon New England Cottontail, Massachusetts’s only native rabbit.  

Nestled within 2,000 acres of conserved land in the lower Berkshire Highlands ecoregion, the expansive land provides great opportunities to appreciate beautiful landscapes and local wildlife. 

6. 1,312-Foot Peak at Wachusett Meadow, Princeton 

Head out on a mindful adventure from the visitor center through the North Meadow Trail at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton. With frequent benches along the less than half-mile trail, soak in the brilliant fall hues while watching resident birds including small, colorful flocks of Eastern Bluebirds amid the drying stems of goldenrod. 

Reach new heights and continue to the Brown Hill Loop and Summit Trail to reach the summit of 1,312-foot Brown Hill. The short trails lead to a dense community of blueberry bushes and other shrubs that provide cover for a variety of birds, and good browsing for Moose and Snowshoe Hare. 

Don’t have a lot of time but want a nice view? 

Watch Wildlife From a Treehouse at Arcadia, Easthampton

A few minutes' walk from the nature center at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Northampton leads to a viewing tower lifting you to eye level with the treetops. Head up the winding staircase for a bird's-eye view of the river and its inhabitants. 

Overlook at Joppa Flats, Newburyport 

A short drive from Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport leads to a popular viewpoint at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a favorite off-site destination for our birding program leaders. The iconic observatory tower overlooks the water, providing prime shorebird viewing. 

More Places to Explore

This is just the start! Explore the peaks, valleys, and everywhere in between at Mass Audubon's 60+ wildlife sanctuaries. 

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