The Mount Greylock summit, Massachusetts highest peak, reaches an elevation of 3,491 feet (1,064 m), providing breathtaking views of four states and five mountain ranges. Better yet, the summit can be reached by car. No climbing necessary!
Mount Greylock State Reservation was established in 1898; Massachusetts’ first forest preserve. Beyond the 12,500 acres of wildlife and unspoilt nature, the mountain boasts over fifty miles of hiking trails, including 12 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Other features on the mountain include a visitor center, war memorial, seasonal road to the summit, and a lodge serving “farm-to-summit” meals. The area is particularly popular in autumn, decorated in its lovely fall foliage.
Getting to the Mountain
Mount Greylock is located in Adams, MA near the Vermont and New York state borders. This is just under an hour’s drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, The Inn at Stockbridge.
To get there, head north from the inn, up US Rte 7, past Lenox and through Pittsfield and Lanesborough, MA. The route is quite pleasant, with rolling hills, dairy farms, and lots of iconic attractions along the way. Tanglewood, Edith Wharton’s The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Hancock Shaker Village, Herman Melville’s Arrowhead, Balderdash Cellars, and more.
The turn off for Mount Greylock State Reservation is just a short distance north of Lanesborough, MA.
Visiting Mount Greylock State Reservation
One of the first stops you should consider is the Mount Greylock Visitor Center, open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here you’ll find information on the park, various exhibits, and trail and road maps of the park.
Those looking to get out into the great outdoors will enjoy the variety of hiking trails at the mountain. Greylock has trails for hikers of all energy and skill levels. Some of the longer and more strenuous trails include rest shelters. The most popular trails lead to the summit, of course, but you don’t necessarily have to hike to get there.
One of the mountain’s most popular features is the seasonal road to the summit, open late May through November 1st. The road allows those who cannot make the hike to still reach the summit – and what a summit! On a clear day you can see seemingly forever. 360-degree views stretching up to 90 miles away over Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and Connecticut. Wow!
Increase your view elevation by climbing the 89 spiral staircase steps of the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower. This 93-foot (28 m) tower, dedicated in 1933, honors those who died in service to the country. The beacon on top, when lit, is visible for up to 70 miles away.
If all this driving, climbing, and hiking has made you hungry, you’re in luck. Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps built Bascom Lodge on the summit in the 1930s. The rustic, stone and oak beam lodge serves tasty “farm to summit” meals with a side of incredible views.
Mount Greylock is open dawn to dusk, all year ’round but winters on the mountain can be tough. If your visit is planned outside late May through November, be sure to check road conditions first. Learn more.