As trees leaf out and birdsong fills the air this spring, get your blood flowing and enjoy a “peak” experience in a conservation area close to home. It may be a local peak or a trail that’s new to you!

Our 2023 Hiking for Health series features four sections of the Robert Frost Trail (RFT). The 42-mile RFT winds through the heart of Kestrel Land Trust’s service area, and we are collaborating with colleagues and community members to improve and sustain this beloved regional long-distance trail.

Join us for our first hike this year as we venture to the summit of Mount Toby (elevation is 1,269 feet) on Saturday, June 3 — National Trails Day! This vigorous, 3-hour hike from 9 AM to noon will be led by Kestrel’s Conservation Manager, Bridget Likely. The 4-mile loop hike to Mount Toby’s summit via the Tower Road and orange-blazed Robert Frost Trail will be a gradual climb, with a steeper ascent the last 1/2 mile to the summit.

Mount Toby is the highest summit of a sprawling collection of mostly wooded hills and knolls that rise from a distinct plateau-like upland in the towns of Sunderland and Leverett, just east of the Connecticut River. This mountain area is known for its abundant wildlife, attractive woodlands, waterfalls, and glacial kettle ponds. Although the summit is wooded, a fire tower open to the public provides 360-degree views.

Please Note: Participants must be able to climb steep slopes and navigate uneven ground.

Space is limited and registration is required with a sliding-scale donation.