10 Must-See Waterfalls in the Berkshires
Set amongst the rolling hills of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts lies a treasure trove of natural beauty!
From scenic hikes in the Berkshires to the stunning waterfalls featured in this post, Berkshire County is an area I often road trip to if I want a day out adventuring!
After living in the Berkshires for several years and now only a short drive away in Connecticut, I’ve made it a point to seek out and keep going back to the beauty this part of MA has to offer.
Choose any waterfall walk from this list of 10 must-see waterfalls in the Berkshires and combine it with a nearby cafe to make for a satisfying day!
From the iconic and tallest waterfall in MA (Bash Bish Falls) to the hidden gem of Race Brook Falls that requires a hike through the woods, each waterfall in the Berkshires has its unique charm.
So what are the must-visit waterfalls in the Berkshires?!
1. Bash Bish Falls, Egremont
Update: Bash Bish Falls is closed March 2024 to July 2024! Please check here for updates on reopening.
Bash Bish is an iconic (and popular!) waterfall in the Berkshires and is the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts!
Bash Bish Falls is located in the southwestern part of Massachusetts, near the borders of New York and Connecticut and part of the Mount Washington State Forest.
Known for being the tallest waterfall in MA made up of a series of cascades totaling 200 feet.
Because of the entrance down to the waterfall is often closed in the summer. If you’d like to get close to the falls for a photograph I suggest visiting in late fall, winter, or early spring!
- Miles: 2.1 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 534 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: large parking lot off Bash Bish Falls Road
- Need to know: Update: closed for construction March through June 2024. Trail gets crowded in summer, go early in AM or during off season
2. Race Brook Falls, South Egremont
A hidden gem of a waterfall in southwestern Massachusetts (Mount Everett State Reservation) that requires some work to get to!
It will take about 1.8 miles and over 1,000 feet of elevation gain to see this set of beautiful cascades totaling 200 feet in height.
I usually see this waterfall when I’m on the way to the summit of Mount Race on the Appalachian Trail. If you’d like to combine Race Brook Falls with the view from Mount Race then check out this 5.6-mile trail here.
- Miles: 3.6 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 1,230 feet elevation gain
- Level: Hard
- Parking: small pull-off along S Undermountain Rd
- Need to know: You can make this a longer hike with a view on the Appalachian Trail with the 5.6 mile Mount Race trail
3. Sanderson Brook Falls, Chester
A picturesque waterfall featuring several cascades and drops, Sanderson Brook Falls is located in Chester Blandford State Forest.
This Berkshire waterfall truly feels like it’s tucked away though it’s only a one mile walk in the woods to get there (2 miles round trip).
The trail linked above in the title is a 4.4-mile loop that takes you up to a scenic vista first and then has you wind down to the falls and the gorge that precedes the waterfalls.
I think the whole hike is worth it and would only skip the view if I was short on time. If you only have time for a short walk and just want to see the falls then take the loop counterclockwise and you’ll arrive there after about a mile.
- Miles: 4.4 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 1,079 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: large parking lot off Route 20 (restrooms here)
- Need to know: for a a shorter walk to just see the falls, take the loop counterclockwise for about a mile
4. Wahconah Falls, Dalton
A short downhill walk to the 40-foot drop of Wahconah Falls in Dalton, MA.
We visited here in winter but since it is just a half-mile walk to the falls in Wahconah Fall State Park I imagine it gets crowded here in the summer and warm weather days!
The name “Wahconah” is derived from Native American Algonquian language and is believed to mean “spirit of the hills.”
Enjoy the main falls and the walk along Wahconah Brook which springs from Windsor Reservoir.
- Miles: 0.9 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 156 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: large parking lot off Wahconah Falls Rd
- Need to know: located in Wahconah Falls State Park, short walk so can get popular!
5. Umpachene Falls, Southfield
What a hidden gem of a fall this one is!
I lived in the Berkshires for several years and hadn’t even known about this one until I was living back in CT.
The main fall is a very short walk from the parking lot and you’ll find a sprawling lawn, picnic tables, and children’s swing set there, too.
The sign at the falls reads: A Housatonic Indian Chief, Umpachene, who one fished in these waters, is commemorated here in the falls and in the stream which today bears his name.
Be sure to take a left at the main fall to continue along a trail that takes you all the water where you can admire and find windows of smaller falls like the one pictured below.
- Miles: 0.3 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 36 feet elevation gain
- Level: Easy
- Parking: medium sized parking lot off Umpachene Falls Rd
- Need to know: very easy walk to the falls, turn left at the waterfall to find a trail that continues up alongside it where you can explore and find more photo opportunities! 📸
6. Glendale Falls, Huntington
While I haven’t done this one yet it is high on my list! So I wanted to include it on this Berkshire waterfall list in case you live nearby and haven’t been to this one yet either.
If visiting Glendale Falls be sure to check out my blog post all about a day trip to Chester Massachusetts which features even more hikes and waterfalls in addition to details on this one!
- Miles: 0.3 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 98 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: parking off Clark Wright Road
7. Campbell Falls, Norfolk
The main entrance to this trail is located in Norfolk, CT (right below the border of MA) but the actual waterfall is in Massachusetts!
I always love visiting this waterfall. I love the peaceful walk in with the deep forest setting and tall pine trees. It truly feels like a magical spot.
Fortunately, whenever I’ve gone, from summer to fall and winter, it’s never been crowded and I’ve hardly seen anyone else!
- Miles: 1 mile out & back
- Elevation Gain: 141 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: parking lot (mostly on grass) along Spaulding Rd
- Need to know: somewhat steep descent down to the falls, can be slippery after some rain so wear boots!
8. Steven’s Glen, West Stockbridge
This isn’t the fullest waterfall but a skinny stream down Steven’s Glen that gets better (like all waterfalls) after some rain!
- Miles: 1 mile out & back
- Elevation Gain: 229 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: just a few spots to pull off and park along Lenox Rd
- Need to know: can get muddy but there are a couple bridge crossings to help, steep near the falls so keep kids and dogs close!
9. The Cascades Trail, North Adams
I haven’t done this one yet but it’s very high on my list! If you are in the northern Berkshires or hiking Mount Greylock consider stopping by the Cascades Trail!
- Miles: 2.2 miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 275 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: parking back behind Brayton Elementary School
10. Tannery Falls, Savoy
Once home to a tannery (hence the name) and sawmill in the 19th century.
This is a short loop trail up to Tannery Falls and back down. There are several small falls along the brook, but Tannery Falls itself is more impressive at around 70ft.
A beautiful waterfall cascades down a series of rock ledges, the total drop of the falls is approximately 80 feet (24 meters) making it one of the taller Berkshire waterfalls!
- Miles: 0.5 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 170 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: parking along Tannery Road
So that’s it, friends!
I hope you enjoyed this list of 10 of the best waterfalls in the Berkshires!
Let me know if you go to any or comment below with your favorite!
And if you’re looking for more stunning waterfalls in New England check out this post of 21 waterfalls in New England & New York.
Happy waterfall exploring! 💦🥾🥾
Thanks for your great page! I am going to check some of these out when I’m up for a visit in three weeks. I have done the Cascades hike in North Adams. I’m surprised it is considered “moderate”. I have bad knees, and I’m terribly out of shape, so I can only handle “easy” trails. The Cascade hike was very easy. Nice and cool in the trees. Pretty littly waterfall at the end. I don’t remember it being a loop though. Just into the woods and back out again.
Last summer I tried Money Brook Falls Trailhead. Online reviews stated it was easy. It was SOOO NOT easy! I was worried I wouldn’t make it out of there. It is just about .9 miles downhill, and you really don’t get to see the falls except from afar. The trail keeps going, but it get even more treacherous the futher you go. To get back to where you parkes, you have to go UPHILL all the way back. We started hiking around 6 p.m. in the summer, so we expected we would be done (roundtrip) by 8:00 p.m. Unfortunately, it was about 8:00 when we gave up on trying to find out if the trail actually went all the way down to the falls. I was in agonizing pain due to my knees, so the uphill climb back to the parking lot was very slow. Luckily we had enough battery on our phones to use it as a flashlight. We got back to the car around 9:30 p.m. I had to keep telling myself to just go a little bit further, then a little bit further, over and over again. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to finish and I would have to send my son to find help (we had no cell signal). But I kept telling myself that I would be terribly embarrassed if a park ranger had to come take me out on a backboard. So that one definitely needs to be labeled moderate! For people like me, it should come with a warning to NOT attempt it if you are not able to WALK comfortably on level ground for more than an hour without pain. Because if you feel pain after walking for an hour on level ground, then you should definitely not attempt anything more than a short, mild hiking trail. That’s the kind that is my speed, which is what I would say the Cascade trail is like. Easy peasy for the experienced hikers. Just right for us older folks with arthritis. =)
Thanks so much for that info!! I have been wanting to do the Cascades Trail and waterfall for a long long time… I don’t think I’ve heard of Money Brook Falls, I am going to research right now! 😍 Thanks, Karen!!