AT in Mass

[alpino]

Hello, my nephew is thru-hiking the AT. He is currently in NY state. When he gets to Mass I would like to meet up and hike with him for a day or two. Just wondering if there is any shuttle service or other transportation between trail heads along the AT in western Mass. Any tips would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[BillyGr]

The Berkshires have a (moderate) bus system (moderate for a smaller area, not like what would be found in Boston). Unfortunately, they have had issues getting drivers, so it may vary in availability.

Normally, the map looks like it would be accessible from Route 2 in North Adams and Route 8 around Cheshire and Dalton (for roads that the bus routes and trail intersect directly), and might be accessible (or a short ride) from areas around Lee (US Route 20) and Great Barrington (US 7 crossing heading north towards town).
https://berkshirerta.com/
(Note - many of their routes also connect to Pittsfield, which has a central transit hub for both bus and train service, if you would wish to use those to get from your area on the east side of MA to where the trail is, vs. driving (not that that is hard to do, given the Mass Pike - getting off at Lee (Exit 10) you can be at a trailhead in about 5 minutes (ish) - you will cross UNDER the trail on the pike shortly before that exit).

Also, on the site whiteblaze.net, they have a shuttle list - that seems to show about a half dozen people in various areas of MA that offer shuttles.

 

[Ear Drum]

Once I bailed on a hike along the Mass AT and tried in vain to call an Uber or Lyft, from a trailhead not far outside the town of Great Barrington. I gave up after a couple of hours and called someone to come get me from CT.

You may find more info over here:
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/forum.php

 

[jfb2]

There's a small parking lot for AT hikers east of where the AT crosses MA Route 2. If you park there, it's about .6 miles west to a bus stop at Stop & Shop. Take that bus to downtown North Adams and get on the bus to Walmart. Then get on the bus to Cheshire and get off where the AT crosses the Ashuwillticook rail trail. Be sure to visit the Cheshire Cheese monument. The Father Tom campsite for AT hikers is also nearby. You and your nephew could then hike north over Mt. Greylock back to your car.

 

[alpino]

Thank you all. This is great info. Very much appreciated.