Mahican—Mohawk Trail Section 1: Deerfield to Shelburne Falls

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Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Many portions are closed or inaccessible; the trail, as a thru-hike, may not be feasible.

Watch your footing and watch out for Poison Ivy.

This section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail starts off Hoosac Road. From here, the trail follows in the tracks of an old railroad bed. While, the information on Mass.gov says the woodland loops are optional, the white blazes indicate that the loops are meant to be the official route. At the north end of the third loop, the trail descends a dangerously steep washout to a fiberglass bridge.

*There's a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and picture the history of the trains that went over this once magnificent trestle.

If you make it to the end of the bridge, you'll be at the marker for Polly's Crossing. The trail turns right to run into a small view spur that takes you to the edge of the Deerfield River. The trail climbs a small ridge up to Conway Station Road; stay right. Here, the trail reaches a closed section. The maps indicate that the new route follows Conway Station Road. The road passes by a few access spurs along the hydro-electric dams.

The trail follows Bardwell's Ferry Road and crosses the bridge. Please use caution on this one lane bridge. It turns left, then follows along the left side of the tracks. Stay off the tracks; running on the tracks isn't permitted. The trail turns to cross over the tracks at an easy to miss spot. It crosses a low area (below the trestle) that may be impassable during high water.

This section (along the river) is rocky and difficult to navigate; use caution and watch your step. Please remember that camping isn't permitted along this section due to rapid changes in the water levels. The trail abruptly ends at the stream in a small gorge; please plan an alternate route to complete a thru-hike. Mass.gov hasn't updated their site to reflect this change and there aren't any signs (on location) to properly notify you of this closure.

Flora: Poison Ivy, Striped Maple, Juniper, Japanese Knotweed.
Fauna: Crow, Freshwater Mussels, Crayfish.