1. Pulpit Hill & Eastman Brook Conservation Area Loop
This 3.1-mile loop is an excellent choice for a light yet fulfilling hike. With only 200 feet of elevation gain, it is suitable for beginners. The trail wanders through quiet woods, which offer a shaded and peaceful setting in summer and fall colors in autumn.
Because it links to the Robert Frost Trail, which is historic, it’s an excellent choice for nature lovers and book lovers. The trails are well kept, and it’s an ideal spot for bird-watching or simply an easy walk through trees.
Look out for: Quiet woodland stretches and connections to the historic Robert Frost Trail.
Suitable for: Beginners, families, and casual walkers.
Get Directions: Pulpit Hill & Eastman Brook Conservation Area
2. Puffers Pond Loop
This 2.6-mile route combines two of Amherst’s most prized natural resources. Puffers Pond is the town’s largest body of water and one of the go-to spots to swim in summer. The loop trail around it is easy to access and provides a picturesque view of the water year-round.
Families especially enjoy this trail because it has a little bit of everything: water, woods, and open beach areas.
In the fall, the red and golden color reflections in the pond make one of Amherst’s most picturesque views.
Look out for: Fall foliage on the pond and summer swimming spots.
Suitable for: Families, casual walkers, and picnics.
Get Directions: Puffers Pond
3. Sweet Alice Conservation Area – Pond Loop
This shorter than one-mile loop is perfect for a short outing. The peaceful pond in its center is a calming backdrop, so this site is wonderful for a family picnic or peaceful walk with children.
It’s a flat and easy trail, so it’s also suitable for seniors or those who don’t hike much. There is wildlife in the region, and in spring or early summer, you can observe frogs, turtles, or dragonflies along the side of the pond. Since it’s short, you can definitely fit this hike into a busy day of seeing Amherst.
Look out for: Frogs, turtles, and dragonflies in spring and early summer.
Suitable for: Children, seniors, and short casual walks.
Get Directions: Sweet Alice Conservation Area
4. Amethyst Brook Conservation Area
The Amethyst Brook Conservation Area is a local favorite, and the 1.7-mile labyrinth loop is an easy explanation for why. Along the streamside paths, nature enthusiasts bask in the soothing whispers of water currents and the cover of the tall trees.
The loop trail is typically flat, hence perfect for a leisurely walk. Dogs are allowed on the trail, therefore the majority of locals bring their pets along. In winter, the snowy trails provide a peaceful and magical setting, and in the summer, the brook makes for a cooling breeze.
Look out for: Lots of doggies, streamside paths, shaded forest, and a cooling breeze in summer.
Suitable for: Dog walkers, families, and nature lovers.
Get Directions: Amethyst Brook Conservation Area
5. Wentworth Farm Conservation Area – Farm Loop
Coming in at a bit more than 1.6 miles, Wentworth Farm loop is quite possibly the most beautiful walk in Amherst.
The open field views make it feel like it is separate from the heavily wooded paths, and bird watchers adore visiting here to see hawks, song birds, and water birds.
The path weaves through meadows and wetlands, and it’s a beautiful place to stroll along on a hot afternoon. Thanks to the open view, it’s also a great place to observe sunrise or sunset views over the fields. With virtually no elevation, it’s a trail that almost anybody can hike.
Look out for: Meadow views, wetland birds, and sunsets over open fields.
Suitable for: All fitness levels, birdwatchers, and sunset strolls.
Get Directions: Wentworth Farm Conservation Area
6. Lawrence Swamp Conservation Area
Lawrence Swamp is Amherst’s largest conservation property, with more than 1,800 acres of wetlands, woods, and fields. The trails are generally flat and include stretches of boardwalk through wetlands, making them accessible and scenic.
This is one of the best places in Amherst for birdwatching, with chances to see herons, wood ducks, and warblers. The swamp’s size and diversity of habitats make it feel more like a nature preserve than just a walking loop.
Look out for: Wooden boardwalks and prime birdwatching opportunities.
Suitable for: Birders, families, and casual walkers.
Get Directions: Lawrence Swamp Conservation Area
7. Cushman Brook Conservation Area
Tucked away in North Amherst, this small conservation area offers short, shaded trails that follow Cushman Brook.
The paths meander through quiet woodlands and along low ridges, making it a relaxing spot for a quick walk. While not large, it’s valued by locals for its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to Cushman Village.
It’s especially beautiful in the spring when wildflowers bloom along the brook.
Look out for: Cushman Brook’s stream crossings and seasonal wildflowers.
Suitable for: Quick walks, wildflower enthusiasts, and nearby residents.
Get Directions: Cushman Brook Conservation Area
8. Norwottuck Rail Trail (Amherst sections)
One of the area’s most popular outdoor amenities and covering something like 11 miles but rarely traversed in its entirety, the flat and paved trail accommodates walkers, cyclists, runners, and families with strollers.
The trail stretches between Amherst and Northampton and Hadley by way of fields, wetlands, and woods. The trail also offers opportunities to watch birds or deer feeding in the fields.
Due to its flat surface, it is one of the easiest paths in the area, so it is suitable to go for a walk that does not involve lugging dirty shoes on uneven dirt paths.
Look out for: Expansive farmland views and glimpses of the Holyoke Range.
Suitable for: All fitness levels, walkers, runners, cyclists, and strollers.
Get Directions: Norwottuck Rail Trail – Amherst Access
9. Robert Frost Trail (Easy Portions)
Named so because the famous poet once resided in Amherst, the Robert Frost Trail measures 47 miles throughout the region. Several portions nearer to Amherst are easy and suitable for brief strolls.
The areas surrounding Puffers Pond and Mount Orient are particularly popular, with woodland hiking trails, water vistas, and gentle ascents.
Hiking this trail not only connects you with nature but also with Amherst’s literary heritage. Signs and maps along the way facilitate an easy choice of sections appropriate to your fitness level.
Look out for: Woodland views, and water vistas.
Suitable for: Casual hikers and short nature walks.
Get Directions: Robert Frost Trail – Amherst Access
10. Podick & Katherine Cole Conservation Areas
The Podick & Katherine Cole Conservation Areas are some of Amherst’s more hidden conservation spots, located close to downtown but often overlooked.
They share a trailhead at 390 Sunderland Rd., Amherst, MA 01002. Parking is available at the gate just outside the Podick Conservation Area after pulling off of Route 116 (across from Sunderland Road). You can also get here on Bus: 31 (Sunderland/ South Amherst: Waterfield Farms).
The trails wind through wetlands and second-growth forest, with several wooden bridges crossing small streams.
Because they are lightly trafficked, they offer a good place for solitude and for observing local wildlife. The wetlands support a range of birds and amphibians, making it a nice option for nature enthusiasts who don’t want to leave town.
Look out for: Wooden bridges and wetland wildlife, including frogs and red-winged blackbirds.
Suitable for: Solitude seekers, birdwatchers, and short woodland walks.
Get Directions: Podick & Katherine Cole Conservation Areas
