Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near East Nassau, New York

This is a short but rewarding drive for a novice of roader, or just someone looking for an easy day out. It provides some nice views of the Berkshires and pleasant topography, especially in the spring or fall. Be sure to pay attention to the signs stating where the permitted motorized vehicle use en...
Learn more about Rounds Mountain DEC Access Road

This is a simple trail composed of a seasonal and an unmaintained road. The track bounces from Massachusetts to New York and back again to Massachusetts. The terrain is rolling and varies from old farm fields to hardwood forests. While easily traveled by any car with moderate clearance, it is a bump...
Learn more about Deane Hill/Rossiter Road

This is a dirt road whose center section is seasonally unmaintained. It skirts through the woods among private property and Beebe State Forest. You'll pass through ravines, hardwood groves, and over a small ridge on this peaceful path. While not much of a challenge for trucks or SUVs, cars should no...
Learn more about Old Macedonia Road

This route starts as an easy track curving through thickly wooded state land. It eventually rises to a ridge with decent views of the west and spectacular views to the east overlooking the Taconic Ridge and the Berlin Pass. This road is inside Cherryplain State Park with lots of other activities, in...
Learn more about Schaeffer Road

This is a quiet and usually easy alternative route to ascend Mount Greylock, Massachusetts highest peak. While only open June through October, this gravely jaunt through the woods is more peaceful than the paved and more popular Rockwell Road. Eventually it does meet up with the paved main road, and...
Learn more about Greylock Road

This is a well-maintained state access road with wooded valley views, numerous adjacent brooks, and multiple side hiking trails. It is part of the Berlin State Forest and provides access to the Taconic Crest hiking trail network. The only challenge would be numerous mud holes if driven during the we...
Learn more about Cowdry Hollow to Comstock Hollow Road

This is an easier trail with some deep mud holes and numerous small rocks along the trail. It brings you to the secluded and picturesque Farnham Reservoir (City of Pittsfield) which provides plenty of cascading waterfalls along several adjacent brooks. It is an unmaintained town road that skirts in ...
Learn more about Whitney Place to New Lenox Road

This trail skirts the edge of a very marshy section of the Housatonic River. This trail is mostly flat, with some large dried-up mud holes and a few washed-out sections. 4WD is not necessary, though a higher-clearance vehicle is needed to avoid bottoming out. Multiple kayak and canoe launch sites do...
Learn more about Roaring Brook Road

Lower Tower Road is a short ride that leads to one of the nicest views in all of western MA. This is a very well-maintained graded gravel road that winds through the forest. Starting from the west heading east, prior to the trail is a paved section until you reach an ORV parking site. From there, ...
Learn more about Lower Tower Road

Welcome to October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in MA. Lenox Whitney Place Road connects Country Road to the center of the Forest and all other trails within the park. Several trail options branch off throughout the entire trail. Please note signage that indicates what vehicles...
Learn more about Lenox Whitney Place Road

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

Welcome to October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in MA. Country Road is the main entrance into the state forest. The gravel road is well-maintained and provides access to several areas of the park. Stop and enjoy the views of the wetlands to the west, or take a stop by the Appalac...
Learn more about Country Road

Beartown Mountain Road winds its way through the northern section of Beartown State Forest. Beginning at route 102 and travelling south into the park, the gravel begins 2 miles in. The trail begins at an unlocked gate. Remnants of pavement that deteriorated over the years are still visible from t...
Learn more about Beartown Mountain Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

Bannis Road is an unmaintained road, open June 1st through December 30th. A rolling, wooded trail, it is easily completed with any high-clearance vehicle, with only a few deep gullies and ledges. It does feed into several other trails, some permitting ATVs and dirt bikes, and others for non-motorize...
Learn more about Bannis Road

Adams Road is a deeply rutted and muddy road that descends from near an active fire tower (with a gated access road, but hiking up to it is permitted) down the northeast side of Borden Mountain. Views are mostly wooded, with some teases of mountains poking through the leaf canopy.
Learn more about Adams Road

An alternate exit/entrance from County Road, this trail is a muddy, rocky, and rutted path through mostly hardwood forests. There are several instances where alternate paths avoid rockier terrain but travel through murky muddy pools. Near the intersection with County Road is a small murky pond and c...
Learn more about Risky Ranch Road (VT TR 302)

This is a very gentle dirt road with a mildly more difficult center section that is not maintained. The real gem of this trail is the access it provides to Bog Pond, which includes a small boat launch. This trail is a main access corridor leading to multiple off-shoot hiking trails in the Savoy Stat...
Learn more about Savoy Road/New State Road

From the east, this road begins in Cummington, MA and heads west down a slight but rocky incline, into the Berkshire County town of Windsor where it is named Stearns Road. Mass DOT lists the road as in "intolerable" condition, and for most vehicles, this is spot on. Hardwood forests surround this se...
Learn more about Powell/Stearns Road

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

This is a well-maintained gravel road flanked by forests and dispersed campsites on either side. There is a gate at the entrance which is closed from December 15th to May 1st. Camping is allowed at the dispersed campsites which include space for 1-2 cars and a fire ring but no bathrooms. There are n...
Learn more about US FSR 74

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

This is a well-maintained gravel road flanked by forests and dispersed campsites on either side. There is a gate at the entrance which is closed from December 15th to May 1st. Camping is allowed at the dispersed campsites which include space for 1-2 cars and a fire ring but no bathrooms. There are n...
Learn more about US FSR 74