McAllister Park and Wildlife Refuge
Great Barrington, MA
Snowshoeing | Hiking | Birding
Tom Ball Mountain 152 Alford Road , Great Barrington, MA
Managed by
Berkshire Natural Resources Council
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Dogs allowed - Leashed
- Free
- Historic
- Parking
- Water Views
A section of the Tom Ball Mountain Trail.
View of fern undergrowth from the descending section of the trail.
The trail through the woods with rock steps
A view of the water from the trail
The trail through the woods
Access to the parking area to Tom Ball Mountain (right) off Alford Road, facing northwest.
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About Tom Ball Mountain
Tom Ball Mountain sits on the border of Great Barrington and Alford, allowing the hiking trail to pass through both towns. The 583-acre property offers visitors the opportunity to navigate through a diverse range of ecosystems, including woodlands, wetlands, and a ridgeline. The 3.2-mile Longview Loop trail begins in a mixed pine and hardwood forest, immediately starting a moderate climb up the mountain. As the trail progresses, groves of sugar maple, red oak, and beech trees surround the trail, including a vernal pool. The climb extends further as the canopy transitions into a hemlock forest, and the trail reaches an elevation of almost 1,400 feet. From the top of the mountain, views of Monument Mountain, Beartown State Forest, and Long Pond are visible.
The descent from Tom Ball Mountain begins with a transition to a historic carriage road that descends the mountain via a series of switchbacks. From these switchbacks, old stone retaining walls are visible. As the descent continues, lush undergrowth can be seen, along with bog bridges that traverse over seasonally marshy areas. Tom Ball Mountain is a perfect place for not only hiking, but also snowshoeing, hunting, and bird-watching.
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Accessibility Assessment
Features- Accessible Parking
Parking for the Tom Ball Mountain property is comprised of crushed stone in a flat area. The flat area contains parking for at least 10 cars. The Tom Ball Mountain trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip containing sustained grades of 10-15%. The trail is comprised entirely of dirt, with a few sections containing roots and rocks. Steep drop offs result in cross slopes in some areas of the trail, especially the section that runs parallel to Long Pond.
A section of the Tom Ball Mountain Trail.
Parking area for Tom Ball Mountain, which consists of crushed stone and parking for 10 cars.
Clubs, Retail & Rentals
Looking to meet up with others for team sports or group activities? Check out our list of clubs, guides and leagues in the Berkshires on the Resources page. Our list of summer camps will help you plan an overnight or day camp adventure for your young ones.
We also link to an array of outdoor recreation retail shops for gear and rental facilities for equipment on the Gear page.
