April 24, 2012
Dirt/Gravel, Dog-Friendly, Easy, Loop Trail, MA, Medium - Encounter Several People, Water
Length: About 1 Mile
Trail Type: Flat, wooded
Difficulty: Easy
Stroller Friendly: No
Dog Friendly: Yes
Just a few minutes outside of Amherst’s town center are a few great places to hike, including the Amethyst Brook Conversvation area, which allows access to the Robert Frost Trail. This is a flat and very easy loop trail, and it is one of the few places in the area that allow dogs off-leash.
The trail begins passing next to an open meadow, with a community vegetable garden. The trail then turns into the woods, crossing over a quiet brook several times.
It’s a great short hike, perfect for kids and for letting your dog off leash. After your jaunt, pick up lunch at one of the many nearby local eateries in Amherst or Northampton. There are many other trails in this area if you’re up for another hike after lunch.
Getting There:
Address: Pelham Road, Amherst MA
Coordinates: 42.376538,-72.488759 (Directions)
Comments are closed
Dogs are only allowed off-leash BEFORE 10 A.M. Please remember that this space is shared. Control your dog.
Also, dogs are ONLY allowed off-leash if they are under Voice Control. This does NOT mean “My dog comes when I call”, it’s much more stringent than that. If your dog chases after squirrels and cats and cars, and runs into the private yards neighboring the conservation area, then it is NOT under voice control and not allowed off-leash at Amethyst Brook. The area has had several negative incidents involving uncontrolled dogs, several neighbors have lost all patience with the issue and will call the authorities or worse if they find dogs in their yards. If you have any doubt whether your dog qualifies, best to stay in the fields before the community garden and not go into the woods where you will be within sight of people’s yards.