Poet's Seat, Greenfield MA
• 4-star hikes
• 2 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 310 to 400 feet
• Greenfield, MA | Pioneer Valley
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Climb the 1912 Poet's Seat observation tower.
Greenfield first constructed a wooden observation tower in 1873, standing proudly atop the ridge where today’s sandstone structure now overlooks the valley. Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, a reclusive Greenfield poet who lived and wrote nearby until his death that same year, found quiet inspiration among the rocky ledges below, crafting verses that captured the beauty of the landscape. The original tower was destroyed by fire in 1911, but the community rebuilt it the following year in sandstone, a lasting tribute to Greenfield’s literary heritage and the generations of poets drawn to this windswept perch.
Rocky Mountain Park sits along a forested ridge that separates the Connecticut River from Greenfield and stretches nearly two miles from north to south. Our mapped loop explores the park’s wooded trails, following mostly wider and gentler paths.
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3★ Rocky Mt Loop
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX? |
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3★ Rocky Mt Loop & River Access
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions |
| P Free parking |
The ridgeline on which Poets Seat stands offers excellent westerly views across the picturesque town of Greenfield, but much of the surrounding park provides limited scenery, despite running parallel to the Connecticut River. For the best river views, follow the narrow orange-blazed trail that descends to the water’s edge, where a fixed rope helps walkers navigate the steep bank.
Parking for this trail is available where Mountain Road meets the entrance to Poet's Seat Tower Road, where you'll find several spaces outside the gate. We recommend hiking counter-clockwise, beginning on the narrow trail to the right of the main gate. The main gate is open during the summer months, allowing vehicles to reach the tower without the need for a hike.
Most of the loop is under forest cover.
Mmmmm. Forest pancakes.
Scramble down to the informal river access.
Greenfield views from benches atop Rocky Mountain.
More views over scenic Greenfield.
Tangents:
• Poet's Seat: Visit Greenfield, Wikipedia
• Frederick Goddard Tuckerman: Poetry Foundation
• AllTrails Public: Rocky Mt Poet's Seat Trail
Massachusetts Rail Trails
The commonwealth's first and only complete rail trail map. Photos, reviews and downloads.
The commonwealth's first and only complete rail trail map. Photos, reviews and downloads.
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Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.
