At Mount Warner Reservation wander the gentle slopes of this 500-ft hill overlooking the Connecticut River Valley and discover a variety of natural delights, from vernal pools to memorable views.

Old cart paths and woods roads reveal the farming and logging past of this sloping woodland that rises between the energetic college community of Amherst and the broad Connecticut River in the historic village of North Hadley. Admired and appreciated by locals and visitors alike, Mount Warner stands amid a 500-acre swath of protected land linking nearby Lake Warner to a range of conservation treasures.

Begin your visit by ascending through oak, beech, and other hardwoods, examining their trunks for the nesting cavities of birds and small mammals. Evergreen groves begin further upslope. Along the way, you’ll discover vernal pools that shelter and nurture an array of animal and plant species. Come spring, look and listen for frogs and salamanders that emerge to reproduce in these seasonal wetlands.

From Points North: Take I-91 South to Exit 35. Turn left onto Damon Road and follow for 1.0 miles. Turn left onto MA-9 (Russell Street) East and follow for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto MA-47 North, follow for approximately 3 miles, and turn sharply right onto Mount Warner Road. Travel less than 1 mile to the reservation on your left.

From Points South: Take I-91 North to Exit 25. Take MA-9 (Russell Street) East and follow for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto MA-47 North, follow for approximately 3 miles, and turn sharply right onto Stockwell Road, then right onto Mount Warner Road. The parking lot is on your left.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Mount Warner.