Pack a pair of sturdy hiking boots and our complete guide to waterfalls in the Berkshires for a spectacular day of hiking in the woods of western Massachusetts. Home to a dozen mesmerizing cascades and cataracts, the Berkshires stand out as one of the best places to witness torrents of water gushing down a granite rock face or tumbling through boulders. Have your DSLR camera ready to capture the true beauty of this natural phenomenon.
There’s something magical about hiking through a dense forest and stumbling upon a waterfall. Some hikes find you following a babbling brook to the gushing water source. Others may lead you up steep hills to a gorge with towering rock walls. And on some hikes, you may hear the roar of the falls long before you lay eyes on them.
With so many stunning waterfall hikes to recommend to guests of our charming bed and breakfast in the Berkshires, it helps to have some inside intel on what to expect before you head out on your mission to find and photograph these marvels of Mother Nature. So, scanning the map, we’ve identified a dozen waterfall hikes we encourage you to tackle, listed here by distance from the inn.
Top Berkshire Waterfalls
Stevens Glen
Location: Richmond, MA
Distance from Inn: 9 miles
Not as well-known as many other waterfalls in the Berkshires, Stevens Glen offers a gentle 0.7-mile hike one-way through a gorgeous glen. A moderately challenging loop trail, this one is popular year-round by hikers and snowshoers.
Lulu Cascade
Location: Pittsfield, MA
Distance from Inn: 17 miles
Enveloped in a lovely ravine, Lulu Cascade, located in Pittsfield State Forest, is an easy 5-minute trek to a charming cascade slicing through moss-covered granite. If you have 2.5 to 3 hours to spare, continue to the Berry Pond Loop for an invigorating 5.2-mile hike.
Umpachene Falls
Location: New Marlboro, MA
Distance from Inn: 19 miles
Once granted permission to enter by the groundskeeper, Umpachene Falls is the ideal waterfall to seek out on a hot summer’s day. Slip into the delightfully refreshing water of this unique Berkshire swimming hole. A super easy walk of 1/3 of a mile, it’s rarely crowded and perfect for a family outing.
Glendale Falls
Location: Chester, MA
Distance from the Inn: 20 miles
Glendale Falls is the place to be if you enjoy scrambling over rocks. The sheer volume and size of the 160-foot drop tumbles over rock ledges and boulders. Though the pool at the base appears inviting, beware of the current. This is one of the state’s longest and most powerful waterfalls. It’s a moderately challenging 1/3 mile out-and-back trail, but well worth the trip for the view.
Wahconah Falls
Location: Dalton, MA
Distance from the Inn: 20 miles
An easy scenic drive from the inn leads to Wahconah Falls State Park, home of the eponymous falls. One of the tributaries of the Housatonic River feeds the 40-foot cascade. Take the half-mile loop along the upper falls for a lovely view. It is especially impressive in spring when the snow melts and is an excellent spot for a picnic in warmer months.
Race Brook Falls
Location: Sheffield, MA
Distance from the Inn: 20 miles
Prepare for a more invigorating hike when you head out to Race Brook Falls. Race Brook is a series of five distinct falls. Most folks don’t realize that the hike continues up to the summit of Mount Everett, where stunning views await. The entire hike is challenging, requiring at least 4-6 hours to do it justice.
Bash Bish Falls
Location: Mt. Washington, MA
Distance from the Inn: 23 miles
The big daddy of all Berkshire’s waterfalls, the trek into Bash Bish Falls ends at the 80-foot single-drop waterfall. The Massachusetts trailhead is a more difficult but shorter hike, whereas the New York trailhead offers a more moderate but longer journey. Bash Bish is one of the more popular trails in the Berkshires, especially since it is dog-friendly, so don’t be surprised if it’s crowded.
Campbell Falls
Location: Norfolk, CT
Distance from the Inn: 23 miles
Located in Campbell Falls State Park just over the border in Connecticut, this hike is a relatively easy 40-minute out-and-back trek. The unique zigzag feature of Campbell Falls makes it a particularly popular one. Take Route 57 in New Marlborough heading south. Bear left onto Norfolk Road and follow it to the entrance of the Park, about 4.5 miles down the road.
Bellevue Falls
Location: Adams, MA
Distance from the Inn: 26 miles
If you’re in the mood for cliff jumping, head to Bellevue Falls. The short (6-foot) waterfall splits into two segments filling the inviting pool at its base. An 8-foot jump from the cliffs plunges you into the cool water below. This hidden gem is located right next to the Bellevue Cemetery, and while there is no official parking for the falls, visitors have long been parking at the cemetery and walking to the falls.
Money Brook Falls
Location: Williamstown, MA
Distance from the Inn: 35 miles
Access to this often-overlooked waterfall is along the road to the summit of Mt. Greylock. Money Brook Falls is best viewed in late spring or early summer when its 80-foot drop swells with snowmelt. If time allows, continue to March Cataract Falls, Deer Hill Falls, and the summit of Mt. Greylock for a spectacular view of the mountains and valley below.
Tannery Falls
Location: Savoy, MA
Distance from the Inn: 35 miles
Tannery Falls is the main attraction in this area of competing waterfalls. A thundering veil of white water at the top of this 80-foot drop spills down to a series of horsetail falls. Located in the Savoy Mountain State Forest, the access road is not well maintained in winter. Still, it’s a great spot to cool off in summer and offers terrific photography opportunities.
Twin Cascade
Location: Florida, MA
Distance from the Inn: 39 miles
Composed of two waterfalls that cascade in a Y-shaped pattern, Twin Cascade is the furthest from the inn but well worth the trip. The source of the falls lies hidden behind a steep gorge making it appear as if water is falling from heaven. Located in the tiny town of Florida, park your car in the lot along River Road and meander a quarter of a mile to the falls. The trail can be steep and narrow sometimes, and if you want to climb to the base of the falls, you’ll have to negotiate some boulders.
Tips on Photographing Waterfalls
If you’re trying to capture the full beauty of a waterfall in a photo, a few professional tips and tricks might help you. Although camera phones are getting increasingly more sophisticated, a digital camera that allows you to set aperture, ISO, and shutter speed will give you better results. Practice makes perfect, of course, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Here are some tried and true tips for perfecting your waterfall photos:
- Use a camera with “manual mode” so that you can control the settings (a DSLR, not a point-and-shoot)
- Use a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of the water
- Use a sturdy tripod
- Use a low ISO setting
- Experiment with depth of field
- Use a remote shutter release
- Practice the basics: Lighting, Composition, and Framing
- Shoot on cloudy days for even lighting
- Use a neutral-density filter
- Use a circular polarizer filter
- Use a wide-angle lens
- Experiment with a telephoto lens
- Shoot in RAW (not JPEG) and use editing software like Adobe® Lightroom
Clearly, waterfall fans will find visiting the Berkshires a rewarding experience. Just grab your complete guide to waterfalls in the Berkshires, some sturdy hiking boots, and your favorite camera and companions. Truth be told, western Massachusetts is a delightful spot for anyone seeking a serene and beautiful destination to relax. Book a stay with us soon, and let us show you the region’s beauty and the best waterfall hikes in the Berkshires.
Updated July 2023
