Amethyst Brook Conservation Area – Amherst, MA

EllasTrails

April 24, 2012

Dirt/Gravel, Dog-Friendly, Easy, Loop Trail, MA, Medium - Encounter Several People, Water

Length: About 1 Mile

Trail Type: Flat, wooded

Difficulty: Easy

Stroller Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: Yes

Just a few minutes outside of Amherst’s town center are a few great places to hike, including the Amethyst Brook Conversvation area, which allows access to the Robert Frost Trail. This is a flat and very easy loop trail, and it is one of the few places in the area that allow dogs off-leash.

The trail begins passing next to an open meadow, with a community vegetable garden. The trail then turns into the woods, crossing over a quiet brook several times.

It’s a great short hike, perfect for kids and for letting your dog off leash. After your jaunt, pick up lunch at one of the many nearby local eateries in Amherst or Northampton. There are many other trails in this area if you’re up for another hike after lunch.

Robert Frost Trail - the trail — The Trail

Getting There:

Address: Pelham Road, Amherst MA

Coordinates: 42.376538,-72.488759 (Directions)

Ruggles Pond Healthy Heart Loop Trail – Wendell, MA Minuteman Bikeway – Lexington, MA

Lime Rock Preserve – Lincoln RI

EllasTrails

November 21, 2016

Dirt/Gravel, Easy, Low - An Occasional Encounter, RI, Water

Scenic 1.75 mile loop trail circling a reservoir in northern RI

Tebassa Trail – Northborough MA

EllasTrails

November 19, 2016

Dirt/Gravel, Dog-Friendly, Loop Trail, Low - An Occasional Encounter, MA, Medium

Beautiful 1.25 mile trail located in Northborough, MA, close to Mt. Pisgah.

Folly on September 29, 2012

Dogs are only allowed off-leash BEFORE 10 A.M. Please remember that this space is shared. Control your dog.
Joshua on January 30, 2015

Also, dogs are ONLY allowed off-leash if they are under Voice Control. This does NOT mean “My dog comes when I call”, it’s much more stringent than that. If your dog chases after squirrels and cats and cars, and runs into the private yards neighboring the conservation area, then it is NOT under voice control and not allowed off-leash at Amethyst Brook. The area has had several negative incidents involving uncontrolled dogs, several neighbors have lost all patience with the issue and will call the authorities or worse if they find dogs in their yards. If you have any doubt whether your dog qualifies, best to stay in the fields before the community garden and not go into the woods where you will be within sight of people’s yards.