Mount Norwottuck is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Amherst, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
hiking
nature trips
bird watching
running
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
Highest peak in the Holyoke range, has commanding views of the entire pioneer valley. The loop for Mt. Norwottuck combines the Robert Frost trail (orange) and the M&M trail (white). Start from the Visitor's Center on the combined Robert Frost trail and M&M Trail (orange & white). Stay left on the Robert Frost (orange) when the M&M splits off. Eventually you will reconnect with the M&M, and there you will stay right on go onto the M&M Trail (white). You will then begin an ascent to the summit through ledges. From the summit continue to follow the M&M trail (white) down and eventually you will rejoin the Robert Frost trail (orange) where you split off on the way up. Stay left on the combined Robert Frost (orange) and M&M trail (white) to get back to the visitor center.
This trail is very poorly marked! I definitely got lost , almost panicked , then got myself together and made it out by following the map on this app. It’s hard. Steep decline / incline. I did get a great workout in
Ania Broszkiewicz recorded Mount Norwottuck
Steep going up but worth it
Beautiful hike overall. Moderately strenuous with a good climb but mostly in the shade.
Very great experiences for new beginners. A little scramble, mostly soft soil. No bugs in mid June. Horse case is very cool, make sure you go clockwise. Having Signals all the way, which is important because the trail mark is not very obvious and confusing.
Jenisa Figueroa recorded Mount Norwottuck
Moderate difficulty, recommend using the app when hiking for directions. Trail markers aren’t very clear.
Brittany Sharpe recorded Mount Norwottuck
Pretty chill hike when starting on red trail, fun began when it branched to the white trail (don’t recall names) , rockier terrain. Came to a stone wall which put a smile on my face to climb through opening up to rougher incline that gets you to a few peaks with nice views before you descend.
Great trail. It wasn’t super difficult for a beginner hiker. Started around 6:15pm and by the time we got to the top the sun was beginning to set. Beautiful views. Didn’t do the loop. Went back down the way we came up, which was pretty fun. Would definitely go again.
VICTOR L. recorded Mount Norwottuck
Got lost a few times - lots of new trails to explore. Check All Trails frequently. Not many bugs. There is more parking just up the road less than 50 yards.
Amazing hike for a South Carolinian, the steep rocky pathway up the mountain contrasted the slow rolling hills of the south. Amazing hike. 10 out of 10. Would recommend
Stephanie Lewis recorded Mount Norwottuck
Really bad trail markings!! Got lost a couple of times. But a very good workout! Will be back to try again.
Suzanna Frati recorded Mount Norwottuck
amazing shaded hike with stunning views. there were many different trails. we did the loop up the mountain and back again. my 3.5 year old was able to do the hike but was dead tired by the end. it took us 4 hours to walk 4 miles.
Christine S. recorded Mount Norwottuck
Enjoyed the variety of this trail and the lovely valley view from the top. Not buggy at all, and I did not apply bug spray.
Even on cloudy day with no views,nice woodsy hike with well maintained trail and good range of up, down, and flat. Steeper areas of trail had a fair amount of loose rock. Not too many people from 8-10, busier as the morning advanced. A good moderate distance and moderate difficulty hike.
Excellent hike with superb summit views. There were plenty of spaces in the parking lot; even in the middle of a Sunday during quarantine, we found a spot without issue. It was a little buggy, as is the case most places in New England in May; pack bug spray and you'll be fine. I highly recommend starting the loop featured here with the Robert Frost Trail (orange blaze); doing the hike this way means you start your hike with an easy stroll through the woods around the north side of the mountain, leaving the climb and the summit for the tail end of your hike. Hiking this way also means you approach the Horse Caves from the east and climb *up* through the ledges, rather than down, which appeared less precarious. This hike is just a little farther from the Boston area than more popular peaks like Monadnock and Watatic and definitely worth the trip!
