Busby Trail to Spruce Hill

Begin at the junction of Old Florida Road and Central Shaft Road near the Savoy Mountain State Forest headquarters. The Busby Trail follows an old farm road past stone walls and cellar holes from the former Busby Farm, entering a mixed forest of spruce and northern hardwoods. About a short distance in, reach a signed intersection with the Lost Pond Trail—stay right to remain on the Busby Trail. From there, the route climbs gradually, then steepens through rocky terrain and stone steps in the final approach to Spruce Hill. The summit is a rocky, open prominence with expansive views of Mt. Greylock, the Hoosac Range, and rolling hills across the northern Berkshires. In fall, it’s a well-known spot for watching hawk migration. Hikers can return along the same trail or extend the route using the Lost Pond Trail or connections through the Blackburnian area, though these segments are often overgrown, muddy, and more difficult to follow. The trail is marked with blue blazes, and footing may be uneven or slick, especially in wet or icy conditions.