Beartown State Forest Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Mount Hunger Cobble

Mount Hunger Road, Monterey, MA 01245, Monterey, MA

About Mount Hunger Cobble

The Mount Hunger Cobble, also known as Monterey Cobbles, has a collection of moderate hiking trails that scatter through a satellite parcel of Beartown State Forest. Although the trails are not marked, they are relatively clear and easy to follow. The main hike is a half-mile climb to the peak of Hunger Mountain, resting at about 1,800 feet and providing excellent views of the Berkshires. At the peak is an area known as Monterey Cobbles, where curious visitors love exploring a fascinating geologic phenomenon common in Western Massachusetts: flat, rectangular pieces of quartzite rock scatter the forest floor due to compressional forces that push old rock layers outward.

There are approximately 3 miles of trails to explore at this property, which traverse mixed woods, old farmland, and wetlands. A beaver pond near Mount Hunger Road can be explored up close on a rocky ledge by the water. By the pond is a vibrant ecosystem with various bird and mammal species, allowing easy access to wildlife viewing and birding. Winter offers visitors an excellent opportunity to track footprints in the snow as the terrain is suitable for bushwhacking, and the higher elevation of this site is conducive to longer-lasting snow coverage.

Parking is along Mount Hunger Rd. A sign marks the trailhead and includes a few basic regulations that visitors are expected to follow. Although the site is managed by the DCR as part of the Beartown State Forest, this property does not border the main section of Beartown.