Bellows Pipe Trail

Bellows Pipe Trail is the standard hiking route up Mount Greylock from the east side in Adams / North Adams, Massachusetts. It’s an out-and-back climb that generally runs on an old roadbed through hardwood forest before turning steeper near the top.

The trailhead is at the end of Gould Road (Bellows Pipe Trailhead area). Start on a double-track forest roadbed, then continue climbing as the grade increases toward the upper mountain.

As you go, the route weaves through forest and crosses paths with the Thunderbolt Ski Trail multiple times. Near the junction where Bellows Pipe Trail splits with Bellows Pipe Spur, stay on the main Bellows Pipe Trail by taking the left fork.

In the last approach to the summit, the trail becomes steeper with switchbacks and then merges with the Appalachian Trail. After joining the AT South, follow it for about 0.5 miles to reach the summit ridge of Mount Greylock.

On the ground, expect a steady uphill effort: the commonly cited distance is about 5.9 miles round-trip with roughly 2,240 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take around 4 to 4.5 hours.

The climb is part of Mount Greylock State Reservation and the route is also used as a skiing/skin track in winter conditions.

More information: Bellows Pipe Trailhead Notch Road, North Adams, MA, Hike Mount Greylock via Bellows Pipe Trail and Gould ..., Mount Greylock via the Bellows Pipe Trail