Mount Tom Traverse via Metacomet-Monadnock Trail is a 5.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Holyoke, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October.
Please note access to the park is $5 for MA residents; $10 for non-residents.
January 1, 2021Completed 1/1. We parked at the entrance to Christopher Clark Rd since the road into the park beyond that is closed for the season. No microspikes needed, just hiking shoes. Great trail. All the strenuous hiking is at the very beginning going up Mount Tom from the south side. Mild scrambling throughout. Beautiful views of the surrounding towns, particular Easthampton, at the peaks of Tom, Deadtop, and Whiting. Got to reservation road at the end and walked Christopher Clark Rd back to the car. Some areas that were not well marked - there were two areas that we went off trail accidentally, but we made our way back within 2 minutes.
January 1, 2021
December 11, 2020Great hike, really gets your heart pumping on the way up and gorgeous views at the top make it all worth it. I turned around just past Mt Tom summit because it got a bit icy but wonderful day to be outside!
December 6, 2020November 17, 2020This is a great hike. Narrow trail though. Means you don’t want to go when it’s busy as you’ll be stuck behind slow walkers and also people coming the other direction. However there are smaller trails that break off once you are halfway in. Starts off a little steep so for elderly or little kids under 5 it is tough. Once you hit the ridge it’s pretty smooth.
October 25, 2020October 18, 2020October 18, 2020October 17, 2020October 12, 2020Stunning views! Worth the climb.
October 10, 2020This hike was not as hard as everyone else in the previous comments were complaining about. Yes, there are some big steps and minimal scrambling. It’s a fast and easy trip. Views are nice. Get up early and go before anyone else gets there. It’s worth it besides the graffiti and trash.
October 6, 2020October 3, 2020Very steep and rocky at the begging and much easier after the first high point. Up and down after the summit. Didn’t finish the route, cause my 10 yo daughter was tired. Wonderful view from the top, but I wanted to see the other side of the mount.
October 3, 2020September 24, 2020this trail is a good lung burner for the first 20 30 min depending on skill level then some pretty cool views. there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the view. lots of loose rock so wear good supporting shoes.
September 13, 2020Awesome hike! Great views the whole way. Some steep, rocky areas, so not recommended if you’re not stable on your feet/are afraid of heights. Lots of families with kids and dogs. Crowded, but that’s to be expected for a perfect late summer/early fall day!
September 13, 2020September 12, 2020I parked near the bbq place and big E area. It’s a moderate to difficult initial climb about 5 mins into the trail . Once you make it through the first real climb you are greeted with 1 of many beautiful rest areas or view areas on this hike. Some of the actual trail is treacherous but luckily they do have alternate trails near those areas . It’s definitely not for anyone with knee issues . It’s an amazing hike with amazing views through all 7+ miles I did. Loved it
September 12, 2020September 10, 2020Suggest following the map for the first bit til you hit the well marked area. The views are stunning and just keep going all along the top!!! Then you descend and can have a snack on the bench by the rd if you like... we did. On way back descending the loose rock was tough on the knees but it usually is at our age.
September 7, 2020Great trail! A bit steep to start but worth the effort. Going back down is much tougher.
September 5, 2020Great hike with amazing views of the valley! The first 20 minutes, or so, of the hike are difficult as the trail is extremely steep with loose rocks. After that, it is a fairly easy walk along the ridge until a fairly brief descent at the opposite end in the park. You can walk back on the road or go back the way you came across the ridge.
September 3, 2020Love this hike!
August 30, 2020The start of the trail is pretty steep (and tough on the knees on the descent). Once on top of Mt. Tom it's a lot of up and down while walking along the cliff with beautiful views! We hiked out to the fire tower on Goat's peak and then back. 7.5 miles total. We parked on the side of the road right near the trailhead so no charges for parking. Not sure if the parking lot just a few seconds further was charging or not.
August 21, 2020The trail is though at times with some steep climbing, loose slippery rocks, confusing because not all of it is clearly marked. There is also a lot of downed trees that made our ascent very hard because some parts of the trail are blocked. I don't think we went all the way up because we couldn't see where the trail was so in the interest of saving time we headed back down. it stamina its an issue for you know that it will be tough going up at times. I started the trail by the easthampton rd gate near 27 Reservation Rd (Gps) and it was steep starting up about 1/4 of a mile. Also be careful doing your descent and if you parked there take a left by the first intersection and a right at the end or you will ended up 3 miles away from your car like me lol.
August 20, 2020The view from Mt Tom is nice, but you need to scramble up a badly eroded and barely maintained trail to get there. Along the way you'll see more discarded bags of dog poop than wildlife. Once you're up to the ridge, it's cell phone towers as far as the eye can see.
