The following destinations are listed on the "welcome all group schedule". Here is some detail about the spots so you can determine if it's right for you. If this just doesn't work for you, then email or call 203.788.7665 and perhaps set up a private outing for you.

Mt. Greylock - Williamstown, MA. Ed Joy and his crew of hiking guides have a vast knowledge of Massachusetts's tallest mountain and crown jewel of the Berkshires - Mount Greylock. He (or Dave) will lead a wonderful hike that will incorporate the valley, mountain forest, and long distance views. The foliage is spectacular here. Greylock's summit road is closed to traffic until 2009 so folks now have to hike for views. This is not a summit hike all the way to the very top of Massachusett's tallest mountain but the overview chosen is breathtaking. Some steep climbing but overall it's not too bad for anyone in reasonably decent cardio shape. 3 to 4 hours round trip.

Pond Mountain - Kent, CT. Easy or moderate hikes just at the time foliage begins to really kick in at Kent, Ct. Lots of colors starting to explode and mixing with the remaining summer green providing a classic southern New England hike at this little known yet perfect hiking spot. It's ideal for those looking for something between a beginner and moderate hike. If Monet could have seen this little spot, there would be no doubt at all he'd have painted it often with enthusiasm. Very easy, relaxing, loop around a serene pond and open field then highlighted with a very short but steep incline to a postcard perfect view of rolling hills. Limit 12 people due to the tranquil setting and small trail system (there isn't a lot of room up at the long distance vantage point so best to keep the group on the smallish side). This is not a challenging hike at all other than a very short hike up to the view so it's between beginner and moderate level. About 2 hour round trip hike.

Bear Mountain - Salisbury, CT. Connecticut's tallest peak with amazing long distance views in all directions. Get one of those crystal clear October days, and you'll see very far. During foliage season this is one of CT's most popular hiking destinations. October weekends it can be quite busy with hikers but Bear Mt during foliage season is a must. This is a very steep hike that does not require any technical skills but you must be in decent cardio shape to attempt it. If you're not a regular hiker then you should be able to jog around a track 4 times without feeling completely winded or someone that does some moderate but regular cardio workouts in order to enjoy the hike. Undermountain Trail up to the Appalachian Trail is definitely steep.

Mt. Berlin - Petersburg Pass where MA and NY meet high up on a ridge along Route 2. The drive alone to the hike is worth it. You hike to Berlin for breathtaking views of Mount Greylock, Berkshire Mountains, Green Mountains of Vermont, and Adirondeck Mountains in New York. The trail can be rocky and at times rugged but it's very doable for just about anyone to make it up to the summit for the stunning view of the surrounding area including a magnificent profile view of Mt Greylock to the east. During foliage season on weekends the Pass hiker parking lot could be packed. Mornings mid-week it will be easy going and manageable...so that's why we've planned a mid-morning hike on a Wednesday. You hike in and out the same way via the Taconic Crest Trail and total hiking time is 2 to 3 hours. After hike you can easily venture on your own to the small but intriguing feature known locally as "Snowhole". If the Berlin hike didn't wipe you out you can head the other way for some more views but to check out the small gorge and cave at Snowhole (some summers the cave holds snow and ice well into summer).

The Advanced Foliage Hike. Sunday, October 21st. Tri-state border trail loop that takes in CT, MA, and NY. This is an all day, seriously long, seriously pleasurable but sometimes tough hike. This hike is not for those with weak legs or sore joints. It's for those who are in very good shape and don't mind at all walking about 11 miles up and down hills that are filled with millions of trees showing off red, yellow, orange, purple shades. Your reward is literally the best possible foliage hike in all of southern New England. The rest of the year it would definitely be a very cool hike but I would not label it "the best". However, on Sunday, October 21st when the trees in the southern Berkshires have taken over the peak foliage from northern Berkshire trees, this will literally be the most amazing place on the planet to see foliage. Okay, ...that's quite the statement. You're saying "come on!!...the planet?!" But I ask you..."who/where is world famous for Fall foliage?". New England. Right? If you think about it, my statement is not a boast of Berkshire Hiking's ability to create a foliage hike but a rejoice of what Mother Nature decides to do each October in southwestern New England. I'm not kidding that this may be, on that day, the best foliage hike you could possibly find anywhere. Scott Mahakian is ready to lead. He led an advanced group hike here last year and has been looking forward to an encore ever since. Scott has hiked every inch of New England's Appalachian Trail as well as dozens of other spots such as Maine's backwoods and New Hampshire's White Mountains. He was impressed and brought back high marks when I suggested this hike to him last October. If you're wondering if you can handle the hike? No special hiking ability is required. It all comes down to a question of conditioning. This is just a guess on my part for those that don't hike a lot... If you can 8 times around a high school track (2 miles) without having to be airlifted to the nearest medical facility, then you can do this hike. If you're a city dwellar and walking 30 blocks and doing 5 flights of of stairs makes you yawn from boredom not weariness, you can do this hike. If you do regular on-going moderate workouts at home or a gym, you can do this hike. But this hike is not for those a notch above "I gotta get in shape" not is it a good idea for those with knee, ankle, or feet acting up lately. Not saying it will be easy if you don't hike much but this hike just requires cardio health more than anything else. It's a giant loop of nearly 12 miles where you will stand on top of 3 peaks in 3 states while navigating a gorgeous hardwood forest bursting with canopy to floor colored leaves. Sweeping long distance views are found at severals spots including Mt Alander (MA), Brace Mt (NY), and Connecticut's highest point Mt Frissell. Some sections you'll see nothing but a vast carpet of leaves covering rolling mountains - it should have you dreaming in cinematic technicolor the night after your hike.

Macedonia State Park - Kent, CT. Some of you may know this spot well but it's a classic hike that must be done during foliage season. The weekends could see too many visitors but during mid-week it will be much quieter and the right time to go. Foliage is about peak, perhaps just a tad beyond. Lots of leaves will carpet the trail so we'll have to watch our steps going down but we'll do the entire loop of the park beginning and ending at the same spot. Nearly 90% of the people who hike Macedonia only do the western part of the loop because it's where all the great views are. But the first part of our hike with take us through the quite, thick forest as it rolls over the hills and eventually over to start the western loop with it's wonderful long distance views. It's definitely a long hike and the second half going up and down the western part of the loop can have a couple of short but steep sections. But overall is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of foliage. Depending upon the amount of people we'll get for this hike, Scott Mahakian will lead and I will co-lead but if it winds up a smaller group I probably will lead. 3 to 4 hours to do the whole loop...maybe more if we chill out and enjoy all those wonderful views. Email or call 203.788.7665 if you want to be included on the list or notify when the schedule comes out.