Weekend Retreat on the Appalachian Trail, Berkshires, MA
September 17, 2026 - September 20, 2026
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Help protect the Appalachian Trail and enjoy the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts!
The public land protected for the Appalachian Trail is the backbone of the largest natural corridor that remains east of the Mississippi River, creating a haven and migration path for humans and animals alike. Maintaining the boundaries of this land helps to protect it from violations such as illegal logging, dumping, and motorized vehicles.
Boasting more than 100 world class cultural attractions, superior outdoor recreation, and a famous farm-to-table food scene, the Berkshires promises an unforgettable experience.
On this project, volunteers will use a GPS, map, and compass to follow the surveyed boundaries of the trail corridor. Volunteers will clear brush with loppers, paint blazes on trees, replace US Boundary signs, and record the condition of metal survey markers, called “monuments”.
Maintaining the boundary line involves off-trail bushwhacking over terrain that can be steep, rocky, brushy, and uneven. Working off-trail can involve strenuous climbing, unseen trip hazards, and navigating fallen trees. While we are not picking up rocks or digging, we will be on our feet hiking and bushwhacking throughout the workday.
There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.
Avg. Temperature:
Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of about 75–80°F and lows of 55–60°F. Mid-September along the central Appalachians is pleasantly warm with cool nights and occasional showers or thunderstorms from passing fronts.
Sample Schedule:
Day 1: Arrival
Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)
Day 2: Work Day
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM
Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.
Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.
Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.
After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.
Day 3: Work Day
Day 4: Departure
Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart.
Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.
Land Acknowledgment:
AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), and Massawomeck people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.
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