Into the Wheelchair Accessible Woods at Savoy Mountain State Forest

Four miles off Route 2 in the Berkshires, Savoy Mountain State Forest has a delightful accessible trail linking a beach with the woods. Though short, the trail offers a surprising bit of respite in nature. This state park offers a remote opportunity for camping, hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

I particularly like the bit of wildness you feel on the accessible trail as you traverse gently rolling terrain near North Pond. It's a great spot to listen for forest birds. While there I heard the robust and complex song of the elusive winter wren and saw ladyslipper flowers in bloom. I also saw my first autumn leaf in the trail, before the end of June!

The accessible trail starts from the main parking lot. Pass the restrooms and tee up onto a paved path traversing the main area of the park. If you turn left, you'll enter a picnic area and head down an accessible path to the beach. Turn right and soon you will see a trailhead sign for the North Pond Loop on your right. This is where the accessible woodland trail starts.

You will quickly discover stone fireplaces along the trail, no longer used but perfectly situated now for resting places. These fireplaces were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The buildings near the parking lot are also from the CCC era and a kiosk there provides more information on the fascinating history of the CCC.

Take your time in this section as it is the best. To the left is a little ridge which helps block the occasional sound of traffic on the paved road nearby. Hikers may pass you by here, as this trail leads to other hiking trails that quickly enter rugged terrain. The park features seven hill and mountain top summits. In this lower elevation and flatter terrain by the pond, you are still up in the mountains, where the air is sure to be cooler than in the Pioneer or Hoosic Valleys of western Massachusetts.

Soon you'll come to a junction. Bear left and loop around back to the paved road. You can return to your car via the paved road or along the parallel paved path that brought you to the trailhead, if you can pass through the 32" wide and 45" high opening in a gate there at the woodland trail's endpoint with the road. Most adults in a wheelchair would need to be able to bend forward at the waist to pass through. There is a 3" bump up onto the pavement for the road, which might require an assist. Worst case scenario, turn around and enjoy the woodland trail from the reverse perspective. You never know what you might observe that you missed on the first pass through.

Savoy Mountain is located at 260 Central Shaft Road in Florida, Massachusetts.

DCR advocates for people to stay close to home and visit parks within walking distance or a short drive. If you plan to venture further afield, as well as on any outing, please protect yourself and others. In addition to following safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please be sure to follow these additional DCR guidelines for safe park visiting:

• Minimize outdoor recreational time to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Administer healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Leave a park or area should large gatherings begin to build; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population.