{"id":312,"date":"2025-02-09T14:05:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-09T19:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/?p=312"},"modified":"2025-02-09T15:07:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-09T20:07:24","slug":"pioneer-valley-public-transit-hikes-new-england-trail-ma-section-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/?p=312","title":{"rendered":"Pioneer Valley Public Transit Hikes: New England Trail MA Section 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>My spouse Sara and I are section hiking the <a href=\"https:\/\/newenglandtrail.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newenglandtrail.org\/\">New England Trail<\/a> using public transit. There are some areas that require overnights due to the distance between public transit stops, but most can be done as day hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last month we hiked <a href=\"https:\/\/newenglandtrail.org\/hike\/ma-net-section-2\/\">Massachusetts Section 2<\/a>, which is in the towns of Agawam, Southwick and Westfield.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_130551-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hike difficulty:<\/strong>&nbsp;Moderate &#8211; two steep climbs, otherwise mostly flat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Approach difficulty:<\/strong> Hard &#8211; walking along highways with heavy traffic without sidewalks for much of the way. At the north end, in times of low water, the Westfield River can be forded and there is a transit stop right on the other side of the river.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distance:&nbsp;<\/strong>3.5 to 4.1 miles (6.9 to 7.5 miles with approaches)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transit:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pvta.com\/\">PVTA<\/a>&nbsp;R14 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvta.com\/schedules\/R14.pdf\">schedule<\/a>) &amp; R10 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvta.com\/schedules\/R10.pdf\">schedule<\/a>) from Springfield Union Station. Route <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvta.com\/schedules\/G73E.pdf\">G73E<\/a> provides trips every half hour from Northampton&#8217;s Academy of Music to Springfield Union Station.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Interactive map:<\/b><\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400px\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"geolocation\" src=\"\/\/umap.openstreetmap.fr\/en\/map\/public-transit-hike-of-new-england-trail-ma-sectio_1175634?scaleControl=false&#038;miniMap=false&#038;scrollWheelZoom=false&#038;zoomControl=true&#038;editMode=disabled&#038;moreControl=true&#038;searchControl=null&#038;tilelayersControl=null&#038;embedControl=null&#038;datalayersControl=true&#038;onLoadPanel=none&#038;captionBar=false&#038;captionMenus=true\"><\/iframe><p><a href=\"\/\/umap.openstreetmap.fr\/en\/map\/public-transit-hike-of-new-england-trail-ma-sectio_1175634?scaleControl=false&#038;miniMap=false&#038;scrollWheelZoom=true&#038;zoomControl=true&#038;editMode=disabled&#038;moreControl=true&#038;searchControl=null&#038;tilelayersControl=null&#038;embedControl=null&#038;datalayersControl=true&#038;onLoadPanel=none&#038;captionBar=false&#038;captionMenus=true\">&nbsp;See full screen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_110806-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On the PVTA&#8217;s R14 bus to the end of the line, Pheasant Hill Apartments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Directions to the southern end: <\/strong>Take the R14 to Pheasant Hill Apartments (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/\/Pheasant+Hill+Apartments,+Agawam,+MA+01030\/@42.0623326,-72.7336494,13z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6e26c9c308b61:0x990690ff989228d2!2m2!1d-72.69245!2d42.06234!3e3?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\">transit directions<\/a>), walk 1.2 miles on S. West Street to Rt. 57 to the trailhead (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/42.0622595,-72.7093383\/Pheasant+Hill+Apartments,+Agawam,+MA+01030\/@42.0628654,-72.7033563,15.72z\/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6e26c9c308b61:0x990690ff989228d2!2m2!1d-72.69245!2d42.06234!3e2?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\">walking directions<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>At the northern end<\/strong>, walk 2.2 miles on Feeding Hills Rd to Little River Rd to Rt. 20 to the bus stop in front of Chipotle (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/42.1049446,-72.6982837\/42.1130435,-72.7226469\/@42.1057432,-72.7201977,15z\/am=t\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\">walking directions<\/a>). Or if the Westfield River is low, you can ford the river and catch the R10 bus back to Springfield Union Station at Westfield Street (Rt. 20) and Old Westfield Road (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/''\/Springfield+Union+Station,+Frank+B+Murray+Street,+Springfield,+MA\/@42.1021476,-72.6596092,14z\/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x862b54ef527b82cb:0x371a42d369a0e47f!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6e1c7377ee1dd:0x2a0ccd1396ac290d!2m2!1d-72.687479!2d42.107457!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6e6df83c1d031:0xc168eb8103745b5e!2m2!1d-72.5937469!2d42.1066274!3e3?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\">transit directions<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_121528-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_122403-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Staying on the trail is recommended! The signs read &#8220;Danger Open Pit Stay Away&#8221; and &#8220;Posted Private Property&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/signal-2025-01-20-180017_002-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view to the west.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_131154-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The old fire tower has partially obscured views of the area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_134503-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The trail passes by the <a href=\"https:\/\/waterandsewer.org\/water-system-history-description\/\">Springfield Underground Reservoir<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_135327-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the two steep sections.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20250118_141228-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A view of the Westfield River, with Rt. 20 (and bus stops) across the river.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My spouse Sara and I are section hiking the New England Trail using public transit. There are some areas that require overnights due to the distance between public transit stops, but most can be done as day hikes. Last month we hiked Massachusetts Section 2, which is in the towns of Agawam, Southwick and Westfield. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/?p=312\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Pioneer Valley Public Transit Hikes: New England Trail MA Section 2<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,30,31,24],"tags":[29,21,19,27,18],"class_list":["post-312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-england-trail","category-outdoors","category-public-transit-hikes","category-transportation","tag-bus","tag-exploration","tag-nature","tag-pvta","tag-walking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=312"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":333,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312\/revisions\/333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharett.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}