Guests of Brook Farm Inn can enjoy the beauty of the Berkshires this spring with our new special, “Take A Hike.”  We’ve hiked many of the local trails, and can offer suggestions and advice. In addition, the special includes a trail map and discount coupon for  Pleasant Valley, which is right in Lenox Massachusetts. It’s a Mass Audubon wildlife refuge, unsurpassed for groomed wooded trails and a superb view at the top of Lenox Mountain.  We’ll also include water bottles and healthy snacks.  See our Packages page at www.brookfarm.com/packages.html.

We’re having a lovely snowfall today.  It’s beautiful, pristine, and just right for skiing –cross country or downhill — and also for snowshoeing.  At Brook Farm Inn, our favorite place to snowshoe is Pleasant Valley, a Mass Audubon wildlife refuge, with beautiful, well-marked trails.  It’s right here in Lenox, Massachusetts.   After a day outdoors, we serve tea and homemade scones in the firelit library.  Yay!

The Mass Audubon Society and the Housatonic Valley Association are offering free guided educational canoe trips down the Housatonic River.  The route begins at the Mary Decker boat launch in Lenox MA and goes to Woods Pond.  The three hour trip will be a good way for novice paddler to be introduced to the beauty and nature of the area.  You may encounter many types of birds, deer, moose, muskrats, and an occasional black bear.  Canoes, paddles and life vests are provided.  For more information call 413 637 0320.  Dates and times of the trips are:

9 am to noon       July 12,13,19, and 26

                            Aug. 4,11,17,23,25 and 30

2 to 5 pm            July 14 and 28

Noon to 3 pm      Aug. 3 and 9

When guests ask where they should hike, our favorite suggestion is Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, a Mass Audubon property. It’s minutes from Brook Farm Inn, and you can choose from 7 miles of well-marked trails.  Some trails are more challenging than others, but all offer the opportunity to enjoy the  natural beauty and wildlife of the Berkshires.  You can hike to the summit of Lenox Mountain (a young couple staying at Brook Farm Inn recently got engaged there!) or stroll around the ponds and see the beaver lodges.  This is a destination for any season.