Mount Norwottuck Loop

This moderate to difficult route begins and ends at the Notch Visitor Center in Mount Holyoke Range State Park, following a combination of the Robert Frost Trail and the white-blazed New England Trail (NET, also known as the M&M Trail). From the Visitor Center, follow the NET, climbing steadily through forested terrain and rocky switchbacks toward the basalt ridgeline of Mt. Norwottuck, the highest point in the Holyoke Range. At the high ridgeline, hikers are rewarded with expansive views of Amherst, the Pioneer Valley, and surrounding New England countryside. From the summit area, continue along the NET to reach the Horse Caves—dramatic overhanging rock formations perched just off the trail. Though short in distance, this descent includes steep, uneven rock and may require careful scrambling. After visiting the caves, return to the main trail and descend along a forested path, turn left onto the Robert Frost Trail, and follow it back to the Visitor Center. The route’s combination of exposed ledges, dense forest, and layered geology makes it a standout among day hikes in central Massachusetts.