Tenney Hill to Turnpike Trail
Distance: ~4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Leader: Allen Pope
Sweep: David McGowan
Registration required.
Beginning at Taconic Trail State Park pullout (halfway up Route 2 headed west to Petersburg Pass): Gently ascend the Turnpike Trail to the top of Tenney Hill, whose wooded peak is marked by a fine collection of mature red oaks — one of the many beautiful features of our Tenney Woodlands Preserve. From there, pitch downhill to meet old Bee Hill Road, admiring filtered views along the way. (With the leaves down, the views are as clear as they’ll ever be!)
Follow old Bee Hill Road to Berlin Road and continue to the Turnpike Trail. This path follows the length of a well-preserved old woods road as you enter the deep forest of Treadwell Hollow and Taconic Trail State Forest. Join up with the Sara Tenney Trail and climb back to the parking pullout where you began. All in all, this hike is a classic tour of some of the lesser-known footpaths along the flank of the Taconic Mountains.
Email admin@rurallands.org by 5:00 pm on Friday 11/12 to reserve a place.
Meet at 9 am at the Taconic Trail State Park pullout on Route 2 across from the metal gate.
– Wear sturdy shoes or boots.
– Bring your own water and tick repellent.
– Dogs must be leashed.
– Questionable weather cancels the hike and you will be notified by email.
– Hunting season is underway. Please wear blaze orange or other bright colors.
Directions from Field Park (the roundabout) in Williamstown:
– Take Routes 2 & 7 southwest to where they split (2.3 mi.) at the A-Frame bakery.
– Follow Route 2 west to the first pullout on the left (south) side of Route 2 (4.5 mi.)
(mileage is cumulative)