Explore woods roads through a former working forest and trek to a summit that rewards with panoramic views from Mount Wachusett to Vermont's Green Mountains.

What makes Peaked Mountain a special place?
The reservation lies amid one of the most pristine, undeveloped areas of the state, with broad views of rural and forested landscapes in every direction. From the 1,227-foot summit of Peaked (pronounced "pea-kid") Mountain, one can gaze northward across the Quabbin Reservoir watershed and glimpse New Hampshire's Mount Monadnock.

The ascent from the main entrance to the summit of Peaked Mountain is a 467-foot gain in elevation that is strenuous in places. At a moderate pace, allow 45 minutes each way. The summit reveals spectacular views of undisturbed rural and forested landscapes in every direction: Connecticut's Shenipsit State Forest to the south, Mount Monadnock to the north, and Mount Wachusett to the northeast. In between lies a sweep of rolling New England countryside with valley farms and small villages. The Valley View overlook provides views of nearby Boulder Hill and the City of Springfield to the west.

At the main, Peaked Tract, fire roads (named by and for members of the Peaked Mountain Co-op, who built the roads following a forest fire in 1984) lead through quiet woods that attract songbirds, such as thrushes, warblers, blue jays, cardinals, and black-capped chickadees, as well as turkey vultures, hawks, and barred owls. At the Miller Forest Tract, a second trail leads to and encircles Lunden Pond.

Adjacent to Peaked Mountain and abutting Shenipsit State Forest at the Connecticut state border is a 530-acre parcel of wildlife conservation land owned by a local partner organization, the Norcross Wildlife Foundation.

Trails
3.5 miles of forest roads on Peaked Mountain. The ascent from the main entrance to the summit is a gradual, 467-foot gain in elevation that is strenuous in places and takes 45 minutes each way. There is also a one-mile woodland trail looping around Lunden pond; easy walking.

The trails at the Miller Forest Tract allow for a different experience. Follow Butler Road North about ½ mile to a 6-8 car parking lot. From there, a 1-mi. easy-walking woodland trail loops around Lunden Pond, where you can glimpse beavers, herons, and other wildlife drawn to the quiet waters. Sandy soils here support a forest of mature pine and oak. Other trails at the Miller Tract lead to a historic hunting cabin.

When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours.