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View Full Version : Best way to get to Massachusetts trail sections?



Ethesis
08-10-2017, 17:47
NYC air fare is worlds cheaper than Bradley or Albany so I thought I'd ask if there was a beat low cost way into the trail in MA? Thanks.

looking for better insights.

Ethesis
08-10-2017, 17:48
Getting to Harpers Ferry or Springer was easy. :)

Elaikases
08-10-2017, 18:04
Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut
Hitching Post Motel 860-672-6219 (AWOL)
Cornwall Inn 860-672-6884. Pickup/return to trailhead and other shuttles for a fee (AWOL)
Sheffield, Massachusetts
Jess Treat 860-248-5710 ([email protected]). Stay includes free pickup/return (AWOL)
BRTA Commuter Bus 800-292-2782. Connects Great Barrington, Dalton, Cheshire, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lee and Berkshire Mall. $1.75 local routes or $4.50 systemwide (AWOL)
Lee, Massachusetts
Home of the “Cookie Lady” 413-623-5859. Shuttle ranges from Kent, CT to Manchester Center, VT (AWOL)
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Greyhound Bus Service (AWOL)
North Adams, Massachusetts (next to Williamstown, MA)
David Ackerson 413-346-1033 ([email protected]). Shuttles ranging from Bear Mtn Bridge to Hanover, including area airports (AWOL, Companion)
Massachusetts Generally
Berkshire Bus Service- Berk****e Regional Transit Authority 413-499-2782, 800-292-2782; www.berkshirerta.com serves multiple trail towns and links them to Pittsfield, a regional hub with major services (Companion)

Elaikases
08-10-2017, 18:05
1445 (741) - AT train station.
- Weekend service on Metro North (http://www.mta.info/mnr). Walk S (trail E) to Pawling, NY if it's a weekday. It’s about 2 miles S (trail E).

· 1450/1451 (735/736) Duell Hollow Rd/Hoyt Rd
- Turn N (trail W) and make a left at and NY55, which turns into NY22 and walk to the Wingdale Metro North (http://www.mta.info/mnr) station. Stop at Cousin's Cafe and get an egg sandwich or brick oven pizza.
Train station address: Route 22 at the Harlem Valley State Hospital, Dover, NY 12594

Massachusetts

· 1518 (668) – US 7/Great Barrington, MA
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (http://www.berkshirerta.com/). Connection to Pittsfield, MA. BRTA stop is at Rite Aid.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines (http://www.peterpanbus.com/). Connections to Albany, NY and NYC.
Bus station address: 362 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

· 1547 (639) – US 20/Lee, MA
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (http://www.berkshirerta.com/). Connection to Pittsfield, MA and Great Barrington, MA. BRTA stop is 5 mi W of trail on US 20 at the Premium Outlets.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines (http://www.peterpanbus.com/). Connections to Albany, NY and NYC.
Bus station address: Scelsi Transportation Center, 1 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201

· 1566 (620) – MA 8/9/Dalton, MA
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (http://www.berkshirerta.com/). Connection to Pittsfield, MA. BRTA stop is about a mile W of trail on MA 8 at TD bank.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines (http://www.peterpanbus.com/). Connections to Albany, NY and NYC.

· 1574 (611) – Church St/Cheshire, MA
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (http://www.berkshirerta.com/). Connection to Pittsfield, MA. BRTA stop is at Cheshire PO.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines (http://www.peterpanbus.com/). Connections to Albany, NY and NYC.

· 1589 (597) – MA 2/North Adams, MA
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (http://www.berkshirerta.com/). Connection to Pittsfield, MA and Williamstown, MA. BRTA stop is at Phelps Ave and MA 2.
- Peter Pan Bus Lines (http://www.peterpanbus.com/). Connections to Albany, NY and NYC.
Bus station address: Williams Inn, 1090 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267

Vermont

· 1607 (578) – VT 9/Bennington, VT
5 mi W on VT 9
- Green Mountain Express Transit Services (http://www.greenmtncn.org/). Connections to Willamstown, MA and Manchester, VT.
- Vermont Translines (https://www.vttranslines.com/content/schedules/schedules.asp). Connections to Rutland, VT, Burlington, VT, Albany, NY and Syracuse, NY.
- Yankee Trails (dfdfhttp://charter.yankeetrails.com/Corporate/Bennington.aspx). Connection to Albany, NY.
Bus station address: Transit Center, 215 Pleasant Street, Bennington, VT

Elaikases
08-10-2017, 18:06
National Park Service:


Directions


A. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY CAR:
There are more than 500 public road crossings along the Appalachian Trail, with trailhead parking areas at or near many of these crossings.
The Appalachian Trail brochure map (https://www.nps.gov/appa/planyourvisit/brochures.htm) shows the general location of the Trail and proximity to major roads.
The Appalachian Trail Interactive Map (http://map.atccloud.org/map/basic.html) shows more detail, including many parking areas and the ability to generate directions to them.
The Ultimate Trail Store (http://www.atctrailstore.org/) offers the greatest level of information, including the official A.T. hiking maps and guidebooks, the databook, thru-hiker companion and more.
B. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY TRAIN:
Direct access to the Appalachian Trail by train service is available at two locations - Harpers Ferry, WV (70 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.), and Pawling, NY (80 miles north of New York City).


Harpers Ferry, West Virginia:
Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com/) has daily service to and from Washington, D.C., Union Station, with westbound trains continuing to Chicago. Reservations required. Maryland Rail Commuter (http://mta.maryland.gov/schedules/index.cfm) (MARC) service's Brunswick line has two trains a day leaving Harpers Ferry for Washington in the morning and returning in the evening, weekdays only.



Pawling, New York:
The Appalachian Trail Stop is served by Metro-North Railroad's Harlem line. (http://mta.info/mnr/index.html) Train leaves from Grand Central Terminal Saturday, Sunday and holidays only.

C. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY BUS:
Access to the Appalachian Trail by bus is available in some areas. New England hasthe most extensive bus service close to the Trail. In most other areas, you can get a bus to a city near the Trail, and arrange for someone to shuttle you to the trailhead. Check Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com/) and Trailways (http://www.trailways.com/) for details.
Some local service highlights:



New Hampshire: Concord Trailways (http://www.concordcoachlines.com/) provides service to the Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center in the White Mountain National Forest, and to the town of Gorham. The affiliated Dartmouth Coach provides service to Hanover. Advance Transit (http://www.advancetransit.com/) public commuter bus provides service in and around Hanover, and connects Hanover with Norwich and the Amtrak station in White River Junction. Runs Monday through Friday only.



Massachusetts: Peter Pan (http://www.peterpanbus.com/) Bus Lines serves several towns adjacent to the Trail along Route 7, including Great Barrington, Lee, Pittsfield, and Williamstown.



Delaware Water Gap, Pa: Martz Trailways (http://www.martztrailways.com/) bus terminal provides links to several major cities.

D. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY PLANE:
Below is a list of some airports near the Appalachian Trail, listed north to south.


Bangor International Airport (http://www.flybangor.com/) - Bangor, Maine
Portland International Jetport (http://www.portlandjetport.org/) - Portland, Maine
Manchester Airport (http://www.flymanchester.com/) - Manchester, New Hampshire
Burlington International Airport (http://www.burlingtonintlairport.com/) - Burlington, Vermont
Albany International Airport (http://www.albanyairport.com/) - Albany, New York
Bradley International Airport (http://www.bradleyairport.com/home/) - Springfield, Massachusetts/Hartford, Connecticut
Harrisburg International Airport (http://www.flyhia.com/) - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (http://www.bwiairport.com/en) - Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/) - Washington, D.C.
Washington Dulles International Airport (http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles) - Washington, D.C.
Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport (http://www.gocho.com/)Charlottesville, Virginia
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (http://www.flyshd.com/) - Weyers Cave, Virginia
Roanoke Regional Airport (http://www.roanokeairport.com/)Roanoke, Virginia
Tri-Cities Airport (http://www.triflight.com/) - Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia
Asheville Regional Airport (http://www.flyavl.com/) - Asheville, North Carolina
McGhee Tyson Airport (http://www.tys.org/) - Knoxville, Tennessee
Hartsfield International Airport (http://www.atlanta-airport.com/) - Atlanta, Georgia









Directions


A. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY CAR:
There are more than 500 public road crossings along the Appalachian Trail, with trailhead parking areas at or near many of these crossings.
The Appalachian Trail brochure map (https://www.nps.gov/appa/planyourvisit/brochures.htm) shows the general location of the Trail and proximity to major roads.
The Appalachian Trail Interactive Map (http://map.atccloud.org/map/basic.html) shows more detail, including many parking areas and the ability to generate directions to them.
The Ultimate Trail Store (http://www.atctrailstore.org/) offers the greatest level of information, including the official A.T. hiking maps and guidebooks, the databook, thru-hiker companion and more.
B. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY TRAIN:
Direct access to the Appalachian Trail by train service is available at two locations - Harpers Ferry, WV (70 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.), and Pawling, NY (80 miles north of New York City).


Harpers Ferry, West Virginia:
Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com/) has daily service to and from Washington, D.C., Union Station, with westbound trains continuing to Chicago. Reservations required. Maryland Rail Commuter (http://mta.maryland.gov/schedules/index.cfm) (MARC) service's Brunswick line has two trains a day leaving Harpers Ferry for Washington in the morning and returning in the evening, weekdays only.



Pawling, New York:
The Appalachian Trail Stop is served by Metro-North Railroad's Harlem line. (http://mta.info/mnr/index.html) Train leaves from Grand Central Terminal Saturday, Sunday and holidays only.

C. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY BUS:
Access to the Appalachian Trail by bus is available in some areas. New England hasthe most extensive bus service close to the Trail. In most other areas, you can get a bus to a city near the Trail, and arrange for someone to shuttle you to the trailhead. Check Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com/) and Trailways (http://www.trailways.com/) for details.
Some local service highlights:



New Hampshire: Concord Trailways (http://www.concordcoachlines.com/) provides service to the Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center in the White Mountain National Forest, and to the town of Gorham. The affiliated Dartmouth Coach provides service to Hanover. Advance Transit (http://www.advancetransit.com/) public commuter bus provides service in and around Hanover, and connects Hanover with Norwich and the Amtrak station in White River Junction. Runs Monday through Friday only.



Massachusetts: Peter Pan (http://www.peterpanbus.com/) Bus Lines serves several towns adjacent to the Trail along Route 7, including Great Barrington, Lee, Pittsfield, and Williamstown.



Delaware Water Gap, Pa: Martz Trailways (http://www.martztrailways.com/) bus terminal provides links to several major cities.

D. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY PLANE:
Below is a list of some airports near the Appalachian Trail, listed north to south.


Bangor International Airport (http://www.flybangor.com/) - Bangor, Maine
Portland International Jetport (http://www.portlandjetport.org/) - Portland, Maine
Manchester Airport (http://www.flymanchester.com/) - Manchester, New Hampshire
Burlington International Airport (http://www.burlingtonintlairport.com/) - Burlington, Vermont
Albany International Airport (http://www.albanyairport.com/) - Albany, New York
Bradley International Airport (http://www.bradleyairport.com/home/) - Springfield, Massachusetts/Hartford, Connecticut
Harrisburg International Airport (http://www.flyhia.com/) - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (http://www.bwiairport.com/en) - Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/) - Washington, D.C.
Washington Dulles International Airport (http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles) - Washington, D.C.
Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport (http://www.gocho.com/)Charlottesville, Virginia
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (http://www.flyshd.com/) - Weyers Cave, Virginia
Roanoke Regional Airport (http://www.roanokeairport.com/)Roanoke, Virginia
Tri-Cities Airport (http://www.triflight.com/) - Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia
Asheville Regional Airport (http://www.flyavl.com/) - Asheville, North Carolina
McGhee Tyson Airport (http://www.tys.org/) - Knoxville, Tennessee
Hartsfield International Airport (http://www.atlanta-airport.com/) - Atlanta, Georgia

Elaikases
08-10-2017, 18:10
Not to rain on your parade, but you might want to try North Carolina for a section hike instead:

1. Bly Gap to Fontana Dam (http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinNC-BlyGapToFontanaDam.htm) - This 88 mile section covers the AT from the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam and the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinGSMNP.htm) - This 72 mile section fully covers the AT inside the National Park from Fontana Dam to Davenport Ga

Miner
08-10-2017, 19:43
Peter Pan bus line (Greyhound partner) goes between Boston Airport and Williamstown/North Adams near the Vermont border. Be aware you will have to make a bus change and sit at stations since there is only 1 bus a day. You can connect with all of Greyhound's network.

Ethesis
08-10-2017, 22:50
Thanks. Seems like the train from NYC takes ten hours.

Im still thinking.

Slo-go'en
08-10-2017, 22:54
Flying into Boston can't cost much more then NYC. You'll need to get to Boston first anyway, so fly direct.

The PeterPan bus from Boston to Williamstown, MA gets you as close the AT as is possible (2.5 miles) without private shuttle. Just try to co-ordinate the plane arrival and bus departure times so your not stuck in Boston overnight. That would suck. I think it's morning bus.

Elaikases
08-11-2017, 09:02
Flying into Boston can't cost much more then NYC. You'll need to get to Boston first anyway, so fly direct.

The PeterPan bus from Boston to Williamstown, MA gets you as close the AT as is possible (2.5 miles) without private shuttle. Just try to co-ordinate the plane arrival and bus departure times so your not stuck in Boston overnight. That would suck. I think it's morning bus.
How long does the bus from Boston to Williamstown take? That seems like a good option. NYC is only a two hour car drive. The alternative seems like renting a car and driving up, which can be surprisingly inexpensive.

Slo-go'en
08-11-2017, 10:12
How long does the bus from Boston to Williamstown take? That seems like a good option. NYC is only a two hour car drive. The alternative seems like renting a car and driving up, which can be surprisingly inexpensive.

I forget how long the bus takes. It's easy enough to find out, but I'm not doing your homework for you.

It takes a lot longer then 2 hours to drive from NYC. More like 4-6 depending on traffic, accidents, etc. Driving in the NYC metropolitan area is shear insanity. Then you also need to find a place where you can drop the car off and that might not be anywhere near where you want to go. I thought renting a car was surprisingly inexpensive too until I actually rented one. By the time they added insurance and all the extra fees, it ran over $100 for a one day, one way rental. But there was pretty much no other way for me to get from where I was to where I wanted to be, at least not in a reasonable time frame.

Traveler
08-11-2017, 11:17
Its approximately a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from JFK or Laguardia Airports (without much traffic) to Williamstown, Just over a 3 hour drive (no traffic) from Boston. Approximately 2 hour drive from (Hartford) Bradley International Airport to Williamstown MA and just over 1 hour drive from Albany Airport (traffic really isn't much of an issue from either of these starting points).

Rental cars can be fairly inexpensive and Albany or Hartford may provide the best overall option for the most time on the ground and ability to make a departing flight if time runs short.

Ethesis
08-11-2017, 13:58
I forget how long the bus takes. It's easy enough to find out, but I'm not doing your homework for you.

It takes a lot longer then 2 hours to drive from NYC. More like 4-6 depending on traffic, accidents, etc. Driving in the NYC metropolitan area is shear insanity. Then you also need to find a place where you can drop the car off and that might not be anywhere near where you want to go. I thought renting a car was surprisingly inexpensive too until I actually rented one. By the time they added insurance and all the extra fees, it ran over $100 for a one day, one way rental. But there was pretty much no other way for me to get from where I was to where I wanted to be, at least not in a reasonable time frame.


More than fair. I flew into D.C., grabbed a car, drove to Virginia, caught a shuttle, hiked back to the car and then drove back to D.C. The car, with all the extras, came to $14 a day.

I now know that isn't realistic for New York.

I need to compare Boston to NY for rates, and then compare Hartford.

Really appreciate the freedback.

Ethesis
08-11-2017, 14:04
Its approximately a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from JFK or Laguardia Airports (without much traffic) to Williamstown, Just over a 3 hour drive (no traffic) from Boston. Approximately 2 hour drive from (Hartford) Bradley International Airport to Williamstown MA and just over 1 hour drive from Albany Airport (traffic really isn't much of an issue from either of these starting points).

Rental cars can be fairly inexpensive and Albany or Hartford may provide the best overall option for the most time on the ground and ability to make a departing flight if time runs short.

Thank you for those numbers.

I am getting numbers from formal sites that I don't necessarily trust and your input really helps point out where those are going wrong.

If if I was spending more than a week I'd be a lot more relaxed about the time and how much time I was spending in travel rather than hiking.

I think hiking Viginia and Georgia has spoiled me.

Ethesis
08-11-2017, 18:39
Boston and NY are a couple hundred dollars cheaper than Hartford but about the same as each other.

The discount car rental is over a hundred dollars a day?!

that seems bizarre. I'm blacklisting Orbitz and trying another service.

Ethesis
08-11-2017, 18:40
I need to double check shuttle services for the area.

Guess ive got more research.

gsingjane
08-12-2017, 10:24
Just quickly wanted to weigh in on your comment #8, I thought someone else would but - I don't know how you get to a 10-hour train ride from NYC. If you wanted to take the Metro North from NYC to the trail in New York State (e.g. Appalachian Trail stop, Garrison stop) it wouldn't take over 2 hours max and that would of course involve changing your hiking locale. You can't take any other train from NYC to anyplace in Connecticut or Massachusetts where you could access the trail, although you could possibly take the Metro North New Haven line to Norwalk, change for the spur line to Danbury, and then arrange for transport from there to the northern part of the trail in CT.

Ethesis
08-12-2017, 12:14
Train system routed to Albany then drop down is how I got the time.

You are right. Nothing direct.