Housatonic Flats

439 Stockbridge Rd, Great Barrington, MA

About Housatonic Flats

The Housatonic Flats is an excellent location for family-friendly hiking in the Berkshires. It is a short, 0.9-mile hiking loop trail that courses through the floodplains of the stunning Housatonic River within Great Barrington, MA. The path is easy, as it is flat and relatively free of overhanging debris. It is a bit narrow and wet in some places, so visitors should be ready to jump over a little patch of mud if necessary. The Housatonic River is the primary attraction for this trail since it follows along a wide bend in the river. A few lookout spots throughout the short loop trail allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery and spot some of the wildlife that calls it home, such as beavers, otters, great blue herons, and even bald eagles. However, the environment that the trail passes through is stunning as well. It is filled with too many species of wildflowers to count, such as goldenrod and purple loosestrife, and a diverse underbrush that gives hikers something to enjoy at every turn. This short and easy trail by the Housatonic River and under the towering maple trees of its floodland is perfect for a family-friendly hike in Western Massachusetts. It is a destination that visitors should take advantage of.