Race Brook Falls
Race Brook Falls
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AvidTraveller046
Massachusetts, USA105 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
The most famous waterfall in the Berkshires is Bash Bish falls on the Mass/NY border. This is a well-developed site where you park, walk up a graded trail, and look at the waterfall from behind a sturdy railing.
Race Brook Falls are quite the opposite. These are a series of three major waterfalls that require a hike of 1-3 hours (round trip) depending how many of the three you want to see. Once you get to the falls, there are no railings - be careful not to fall in! More solitude than at Bash Bish (although you will meet quite a few hikers).
The trailhead is on MA Route 41 a couple miles south of the Berkshire School. Look for a turnout that looks like a picnic area, park and follow the signs. You quickly come to a fork in the trail. Right takes you on a shorter trip to the bottom of the last falls; left takes you all the way to the top of the series.
Try to visit in spring or after a good rain for maximum water over the falls.
Race Brook Falls are quite the opposite. These are a series of three major waterfalls that require a hike of 1-3 hours (round trip) depending how many of the three you want to see. Once you get to the falls, there are no railings - be careful not to fall in! More solitude than at Bash Bish (although you will meet quite a few hikers).
The trailhead is on MA Route 41 a couple miles south of the Berkshire School. Look for a turnout that looks like a picnic area, park and follow the signs. You quickly come to a fork in the trail. Right takes you on a shorter trip to the bottom of the last falls; left takes you all the way to the top of the series.
Try to visit in spring or after a good rain for maximum water over the falls.
Written April 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeeWee42
US16 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
When I was an avid hiker, this was one of my favorite trails. The beauty, the silence, and the challenge made it a wonderful several hours with my intrepid hiking partner of many years, my adventurous standard schnauzer. It starts out from the parking area crossing a stream and skirting the edge of a lovely, wildflower filled field. Then it enters deep woods and eventually you cross another bit of cascading water before starting a pretty steep ascent along the other side of the waterfall, passing various pools along the way. It's along this hike that I saw my first Painted Trillium, a queen of spring wildflowers. (It's been some years since I hiked this trail, as I'm now too old to try it, but my happy memories of going there dozens of times remain.) Highly recommend it for the young and fit - along with their two- or four-legged companions!
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew F
North Reading, MA3 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
My group of 50 somethings did our fair share of sweating and swatting mosquitoes on this humid August day, but it was all worth it. Several successive waterfalls each a gem on their own.
Written August 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin P
Raleigh, NC4,557 contributions
Aug 2021
We took our dog for a hike to Race Brook Falls while visiting the area. The trailhead is right along Route 41 and the Race Brook Trail follows the creek up to the Appalachian Trail. In less than half a mile, there is a split. Right goes to the lower falls while left continues up on the trail. There are several more waterfalls above the lower one but the dog was getting tired so we ended up just going to the lower falls. It's quite impressive, probably 100 feet high and was looking nice with good water flow even in the summer. We also saw a bunch of frogs in the little pools near the base. Great waterfall hike and I would like to continue and see the other waterfalls if I ever return.
Written October 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
demuslee
149 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
After doing the Bash Bish falls ... we were looking for another similar experience. This was more of a hike with a trail to find and follow. Like all trails you have to be concious about the path and signage. The trail was beautiful crossing little water streams to get to the majestic falls. We did the easier lower falls because of time. The falls were beautiful with a large fall at the end which leads to several small water rock falls.
I would recommend hiking shoes as the terrain is muddy and there are sharp rocks that could hurt your feet if not properly equipped. The entire walk was only 1 mile round trip and was very enjoyable.
I would recommend hiking shoes as the terrain is muddy and there are sharp rocks that could hurt your feet if not properly equipped. The entire walk was only 1 mile round trip and was very enjoyable.
Written October 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelingover50
Sandwich, MA1,129 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This was waterfall number six on our tour. We were not disappointed! You have to hike in ... but, so spectacular! The trails are well marked for hiking too!
Written June 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron W
5 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
I went to the top of the falls today and it was well with it. The falls are absolutely beautiful. I went on a Wednesday so I was lucky and only saw one other group on the way up. I had the entire place to myself for about an hour and a half.
The climb up is pretty strenuous. There is nothing technical about it and the trail is well marked but it is steep enough that you're climbing on the balls of your feet for about half of it. My legs were burning and I was panting about 3/4 of the way up but it was well worth it. I made it from the parking area on Hwy 41 to the upper falls, which I believe is around 1 1/2 miles, in 30 mins.
The climb up is pretty strenuous. There is nothing technical about it and the trail is well marked but it is steep enough that you're climbing on the balls of your feet for about half of it. My legs were burning and I was panting about 3/4 of the way up but it was well worth it. I made it from the parking area on Hwy 41 to the upper falls, which I believe is around 1 1/2 miles, in 30 mins.
Written May 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nina P
Boston, MA93 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
This area has both upper and lower falls. While the lower falls are easier to get to, the upper simply cannot be missed! The hike itself was medium difficulty, a few steep spots, but nothing too hard for the 8 month old dog we had with us!
Definitely recommended, will probably return!
Definitely recommended, will probably return!
Written July 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard T
New Jersey294 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Starts off relatively flat then a decent ascent. Our dog loved it. Lots of chipmunks. Perfect place to spend a few hours.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn L
Griswold, CT434 contributions
Apr 2018
Pictures do not do this place justice. It’s a place you must see with your own eyes. We chose the shorter trail due to time constraints, but it was worth it. We could barely believe our eyes. Spectacular and beautiful
Written April 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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