PLEASE NOTE:
Walk in from local businesses
that allow parking if you can.
Residents of this small, narrow,
street often find themselves
overwhelmed with parking issues
or loitering around the
trailhead. Enjoy the trail but
be mindful of those who live
there. Leave No Trace isn't just
trail advice but also for
parking here. There is only
parking for 1-2 cars near the
trail entrance.
The Cascades
Trail is a short,
beautiful river walk following the
Notch Brook in North Adams from
the end of Marion Avenue to a
popular cascading waterfall. A
hidden in-town gem, this trail is
minutes away from downtown areas
of North Adams and Williamstown
and short enough to attempt on a
whim for those of you who may be
seeking to squeeze a nice hike
into a limited amount of time.
Although technically an extension
of Marion Avenue, this trail has
been protected from motorized
vehicle traffic for many years and
set aside for hiking, snowshoeing,
cross-country skiing. The entire
hike takes about an hour and a
half, and is flat enough for even
the most inexperienced hikers to
enjoy a taste of nature. When you
approach the falls, this trail
follows very close to the brook,
and in one short (20 meter)
section it may require you to walk
along rocks depending on water
levels. Just after that short
section, you will traverse a
moderately steep but very short
side hill for your first glimpse
of the falls. Feel free to walk
along the rocks to the base of the
falls for a refreshing break from
summer heat, or follow the
aggressive climb along the right
side of the falls to the top for
spectacular views of the river
below.
(The
trail description and
photographs on this page are
courtesy of Ryan Auge'.
Directions: :
From Williamstown: Follow Rt. 2 East
to North Adams. After the bridge
(over the Hoosac River) and a
traffic light, there is Shell
station (on left) and Notch Rd. (on
right--Mt. Greylock Reservation
sign) make a right onto Marion
Avenue. If coming from the east
Please note: The directions were
provided by a resident on this
street. They often deal with
stressful situations regarding
parking and trail access. In the
spirit of good sportsmanship please
take the following advice from the
neighborhood to heart for the sake
of those that live there. Thank
you! "This is a residential
street that narrows towards its end
and becomes a private driveway. The
parking is limited to two or three
cars off the road on the right. On
the weekends it is best to park
around the median in the block
before where the road becomes
two-lane again at Pershing St.
Otherwise it is very difficult to
turnaround and cars and private
property have been damaged in the
process. The trailhead is accessed
by walking to the end of the street
then on the right side of a split
rail fence along the edge of Notch
Brook. The residents request no
gathering at the trailhead. This is
our neighborhood, not a public
parking lot."
Printable
version of the Cascades Trail page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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