Distance: 1.5 mile loop, but options for further
Difficulty: Easy
On Friday I celebrated my birthday. Every year I take the day off from work and pamper myself. This year my husband joined me for the day. After I enjoyed a facial and then a wine tasting I wanted to get a little hike in, because it would not be right if I did not get a hike in on my birthday. Since we were already in Amherst at Labelle Winery and we had a time crunch to pick up our daughter, I chose to explore a new trail in Amherst.
From the winery you head west on Route 101 towards Milford. Turn right onto Horace-Greeley Rd and take an immediate left onto Austin Road. About a half mile down the road, which turns to dirt, one the right is a nice parking area with a kiosk providing trail information.
This is actually quite an elaborate trail system. With what looks like to be several miles of trails. We did a quick mile and half loop up Cricket Hill and back to our car. The trails are very well marked with various signs at the different intersections.
There was no view on Cricket Hill, but the walk through the forest was very pretty. If you live in the area or are close by and want to get some time in the woods this is a perfect trail to check out. This trail is good for all abilities with minimal elevation gain with what we did.
I loved the various views throughout the woods. There is something peaceful about the smell of fresh fallen leaves and walking through them.
It was also really nice for my husband and I to get out on a hike by ourselves as this rarely happens anymore.