The weather’s warming, the days are getting longer and the hiking and biking trails of the area’s public lands beckon with exercise and fresh air while preserving social distance.
Rather than catching cabin fever at home, you can safely venture out. Don’t worry, it’s easy to remain far more than 6 feet from the nearest person. Consider Mineral Hills Conservation Area, Saw Mill Hills, Fitzgerald Lake, Robert’s Hill, Mount Holyoke Range, the Manhan Rail Trail, Northampton Bike Path, Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, Norwottuck Rail Trail, and many more.
Search for “Greenway Maps” on northamptonma.gov. Explore “trail maps” at Kestrel Land Trusts’s website. Beware of ticks.
Users have kept these trails remarkably clean; you can help by carting out any overlooked trash. Enjoy!
Bob Sproull
Northampton
The writer is coordinator of the Friends of Mineral Hills in Northampton.