The best running trails in Bash Bish Falls State Park

Komoot currently features 5 jogging routes in Bash Bish Falls State Park. These routes vary in difficulty, offering options for both moderate and more challenging runs through the park's diverse landscapes.

Yes, Bash Bish Falls State Park is pet-friendly, and leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the running trails. It's a great way to enjoy the scenic environment with your canine companion.

The terrain in Bash Bish Falls State Park is characterized by lush forests, dramatic gorges, and hemlock-hardwood ravine forests. While some paths offer easy runs, many trails include rocky and uneven sections, especially on the Massachusetts side. Sturdy footwear is recommended for comfortable and safe jogging.

While the guide features mostly moderate to difficult routes, the New York side of Bash Bish Falls, accessible from Taconic State Park, offers a more gradual and moderate trail. This path is about 1.5 miles round-trip and is described as an easy, wide old woods road, which might be more suitable for families looking for a less intense jogging experience.

The centerpiece of the park is Bash Bish Falls, Massachusetts' highest single-drop waterfall, where water dramatically plummets approximately 60 feet. The trails also wind through captivating scenery, including dramatic gorges and dense hemlock-hardwood ravine forests, especially vibrant with color during autumn.

Yes, several loop trails are available for runners. For example, the Running loop from Jug End State Reservation & Wildlife Management Area is a moderate 4.7-mile path, and the East Mountain State Forest loop from Egremont offers a 6.7-mile run.

The park offers captivating scenery year-round, but the autumn months are particularly vibrant with color due to the lush forests dominated by maple, oak, and beech trees. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, providing ample opportunity for jogging.

Absolutely. For those seeking longer and more demanding runs, sections of the South Taconic Trail are accessible, offering moderate to difficult routes that can extend over 12 miles with significant elevation changes and ridgeline views. A challenging option from our guide is the Bear Mountain (2,320 feet) – Highest Point in Connecticut loop from Mount Washington State Forest, a 17.5-mile difficult trail.

There are parking lots available on both the Massachusetts and New York sides of the park. Accessing the falls from the Massachusetts parking lot leads to a shorter, more rugged trail, while the New York side (from Taconic State Park) offers a more gradual approach.

Given the varied terrain, including rocky and uneven sections, sturdy footwear is highly recommended. Additionally, consider bringing water, especially for longer routes, and be prepared for changing weather conditions in the Berkshires.

While many routes involve elevation, the trails from the New York side of Bash Bish Falls, originating from Taconic State Park, are generally described as an easy, wide old woods road, offering a more relaxed jogging experience compared to the more strenuous Massachusetts side.

The longest running route in the guide is the Bear Mountain (2,320 feet) – Highest Point in Connecticut loop from Mount Washington State Forest, which spans 17.5 miles (28.2 km) and is considered a difficult trail due to significant elevation gain.