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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Hiking the Big View Trail

Hiking the Big View Trail

Scenic view of hills in Autumn with hikers
Photo by Eileen Keegan

This 1.5 -mile loop trail is open to the public thanks to the generosity of landowners Philip and Diane Merritt. The trail offers spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley and Mt. Tom Range, and is now protected with a 10-year trail easement held by Hilltown Land Trust.

This trail offers options of a woods road or woodland trail to reach the “Big View”. Both routes have steep sections and are of moderate difficulty.

HLT protected the trail with a trail easement as part of the Voluntary Public Access Program, an initiative which seeks to create more publicly-accessible areas on privately-held land. We were very excited to work with our partners Franklin Land Trust and Williamsburg Woodland Trails (WWT), as well as landowners Phillip and Diane Merritt, to protect this scenic spot for public enjoyment.

For a trail map, visit the WWT webpage.

Parking and Directions:

From Route 9 in Williamsburg Center, take South Street approximately 1 ½ miles and then turn right on to Unquomonk Road. Two small parking areas are located at the trailhead on the left, ¼ mile up the road.

Events Calendar

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10:00 AM - Grassland Birds Talk
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10:00 AM - Backpack Explorer Family Nature Wander
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9:00 AM - CANCELED - July Hike at Big View
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Grassland Birds Talk
Grassland Birds Talk
Jul 8th, 2023    
10:00 am - 11:30 am
William Cullen Bryant Homestead
  • Partnership Event
Here in New England, our hayfields, pastures, and meadows serve as vibrant breeding grounds for threatened grassland bird species such as the beautiful bobolink. Learn [...]
More Info
Backpack Explorer Family Nature Wander
Backpack Explorer Family Nature Wander
Jul 15th, 2023    
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Bullitt Reservation
  • Family Fun
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Kids
  • Partnership Event
Join HLT and the Belding Memorial Library for a morning of nature exploration inspired by Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail, a take-along field guide [...]
More Info
CANCELED - July Hike at Big View
CANCELED - July Hike at Big View
Jul 18th, 2023    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Big View
  • Hike
This event has been canceled due to poor air quality. Find sweeping valley vistas on a 1.5-mile hike at Big View in Williamsburg. This hidden [...]
More Info
How Do Your People Call The Earth?
How Do Your People Call The Earth?
Jul 20th, 2023    
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Worthington Library
  • Hands-On
  • Workshop
Led by Writing the Land poet JuPong Lin, this workshop integrates origami, walking meditation, community poetry and installation art. It opens with a mandala ceremony [...]
More Info
Events on Jul 8th, 2023
Grassland Birds Talk
Grassland Birds Talk
8 Jul 23
Cummington
Events on Jul 15th, 2023
Backpack Explorer Family Nature Wander
Backpack Explorer Family Nature Wander
15 Jul 23
Ashfield
Events on Jul 18th, 2023
CANCELED - July Hike at Big View
CANCELED - July Hike at Big View
18 Jul 23
Williamsburg
Events on Jul 20th, 2023
How Do Your People Call The Earth?
How Do Your People Call The Earth?
20 Jul 23
Worthington
  • About
    • Board & Committees
    • Staff and TerraCorps members
    • Affiliation with The Trustees
    • Announcements
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Open Positions
  • Land Protection
    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
    • Donating or Selling Land
    • Estate Planning
    • Landowner & Town Resources
  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
    • Land Stewardship
    • Conservation Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Support
    • Legacy Giving
    • Gorge après Gorge
    • Vernal Pool Plunge

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© 2026 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986