About us
Welcome to the Hiking/Backpacking (HB) Committee of the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). AMC connects people to the outdoors. We offer a variety of volunteer-led hikes year-round, including: shorter hikes, easy to strenuous day hikes, introductory instructional programs, and overnight trips (hut and cabin trips and backpacks). While we lead trips throughout New England, our trips are most frequently located in the greater Boston area / MA and NH. AMC offers a structure for leadership training and peer-approved leaders so that we can operate safe and well-organized hikes. Our hikes are open to everyone based on ability (and requisite gear as applicable), although participants on backcountry trips are usually screened to ensure a good fit. You don't need to be a AMC member to join us for most trips, though we encourage you to support AMC’s work by becoming a member. We look forward to hiking with you!
Please read the full trip description first, not just the trip titles, before registering for the trip on the AMC website. Thank you.
Sign up for HB Announce, our newsletter that advertises our upcoming hikes twice per month.
Check out AMC’s activities, the official site for all AMC trip postings, for the Hiking/Backpacking Committee hikes and for trips from other committees.
Upcoming events
29
Womens+ Hiking Weekend at Cold River Camp 2026
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Kate O'Brien, Holly Riehl, Paula Cobb, Cezanne Cartier, Julie Huber, Katie Gerlich, Cynthia Baker
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000017C3t
Audience: Women+Description: Come join us for a womens+ hiking weekend in one of the most beautiful and remote parts of the White Mountains! We’ll be staying in cabins at the AMC’s Cold River Camp in Evans Notch, enjoying rustic accommodations, indoor plumbing, and camp-provided meals. We’ll settle into our two- to four-person cabins Friday night. On Saturday we will take in the fall colors hiking the rocky crags of the Evans Notch with spectacular views. The offered hikes will have a range of paces and distances, and be appropriate for beginner to advanced hikers. Saturday night we’ll have a bonfire and stargazing if the skies are clear. Sunday, we pack our bags, and go for shorter (half-day) hikes before heading back to civilization. Saturday and Sunday breakfast, Saturday appetizers and dinner, and trail lunches for Saturday and Sunday are provided by the camp. You’ll need to bring trail snacks for the weekend, and dinner Friday night (or stop to pick up food on the way).
If you would like to become a member before registering to take advantage of the lower member cost become a member here: https://www.outdoors.org/get-involved/become-a-member/
Once you finish the registration and payment process, please complete this form for additional registration information: https://forms.gle/ZgRs6Qi3ySN5cdzU7
Cancellation Policy: If Participant cancels before Sept 1, 2026, a refund will be issued. Between Sept 1 and Sept 16, a refund may be issued if the participant's spot can be filled by another participant. After Sept 16, no refund will be issued. If the trip or event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a refund may or may not be issued. Refund requests should be directed to the trip leader via email. Refunds requests can take up to two weeks after the trip or event has occurred.
If this hiking weekend is full, don’t worry! Sign up to be on the waiting list here : https://forms.gle/UJswEtU7oLeYzivK8
Gear Lists:
Gear for camp: -Head lamp or flashlight -Puffy jacket or other warm layers (it gets chilly at night!) -Sleeping bag (recommended) or twin size sheets (there are wool blankets on beds) -Pajamas -Towel -Shower sandals (optional) -Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc) -Books/hobbies/games for social/down time -Comfortable shoes/sneakers (so you can change out of your boots) -Earplugs (for sleeping) *Please reach out to event leaders if you have a cpap or similar equipment that would need to be plugged in overnight.
Gear for hiking: Mandatory: -Blaze orange or high visibility piece of clothing or accessory (e.g., hat, bandana or buff) -Boots or shoes you have hiked in before -Socks (one pair for your feet, per day, and one pair extra) -Wicking clothing (no cotton!) -Warm fleece or wool insulating layers -Rain/wind gear (jacket, pants or skirt) -Hat and gloves or mittens -At least two liters of water (can fill up bottles/containers at the lodge) -Snacks (trail lunches provided by camp) -Pack that will hold all of the above that you can comfortably wear for a day hike -Toilet paper (and bag to pack it out) and hand sanitizer or other personal hygiene items -Personal first aid kit -Map and compass
This is intended to be a Womens+ affinity trip, but everyone is welcome. If you do not identify with that group, we trust that you have reviewed our allyship criteria, have done your due diligence to educate yourself, and have committed to abide by our Code of Conduct . If you have questions, please contact the trip leaders by emailing them for more informationReminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Map and Compass Instructional Weekend
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 5 - Vigorous
Trip Leader(s): Joseph Comuzzi, Reid Gilman, Anthony Wilson, Robert Zoletti
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001E3Th
Register By: 10/5/2026
Audience: EveryoneDescription: The Map and Compass Instructional Weekend is a whole weekend class taught out of Harvard Cabin. Participants will arrive late Friday evening or Saturday morning by 8:00 AM. We'll have classroom instruction on map and compass in the morning, Followed by field practice in the afternoon. Sunday we'll do a full day bushwhack to a 3000 foot summit with no trail.
Participants will need standard fall hiking gear, but every participant will need to have an orienteering compass (one with a clear base). The lodging amenities at Harvard Cabin can be found in detail at the Harvard Outing Club's website (link). In general, there is an open loft space for sleeping, electricity, kitchen with gas appliances, available potable water (from a well). The facility is carry-in carry-out with your own trash.
Course Fee of $100 includes breakfast and dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday, course handouts and lodging. Participants supply their own lunches. Cancelation Policy: If Participant cancels before 9/1/2025, a refund will be issued. Between 9/1/2025 and 9/21/2025, a refund may be issued if the participant's spot can be filled by another participant. After 9/21/2025, no refund will be issued. If the trip or event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a refund may or may not be issuedReminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Walden Woods, Concord
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Brian Connolly
Registration Type: Show & Go
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001IvIb
Audience: EveryoneDescription: Moderate pace 5 mile walk along flat dirt roads, across grassy meadows, and through a hemlock forest. We are going down to Codman farm, to visit lamas, goats and pigs. We will follow a wooded trail to a beautiful, secluded pond. Walking on a country road, will lead us to a horse farm. After the walk, at around 2:00 PM, please join us for lunch at Twisted Tree Café (healthy foods, coffee, tea, salads, “awesome” sandwiches), located next to the parking lot where we meet, behind Donelan’s Market. Meet 11:00 AM, at Lincoln Train Station commuter parking lot (drive to back of the lot, you will see us - parking is free on weekends). Directions: From Route 2, take Route 126 South for 2 miles. Turn left on Codman Road, follow to end. Turn left, see Train Station on left. Soft, mellow music will begin at 10:30 AM. This is a “Show & Go” walk, registration is not required. Weather: Heavy rain cancels. If uncertain, please contact the leader (brian.connolly7373@gmail.com).
Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
LET'S HIKE BALD HILL CONSERVATION AREA-BOXFORD STATE FOREST / NORTH ANDOVER
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Richard Lombard
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001KFf3
Register By: 10/10/2026
Audience: AdultsDescription: Our hike will take us through the northern section of Bald Hill Conservation Area, which will include a section of the Bay Circuit Trail and other woodland trails as explore this magnificent conservation area and learn about the conservation partners that helped protect this almost 2300-acre preserve. Our looped hike will take us along the northern shore of Pout Pond, and eventually wend our way to Towne Pond. Towne Pond is important habitat for wildlife including beavers, otters, muskrat and water fowl. This will also be an excellent location for lunch, where we can enjoy the scenic views. After lunch we will visit a pond created by a radar excavation on this former Nike site, and then return to the parking area.
Expect to hike up to 6-miles over forest terrain. Remember to bring plenty of water and snacks/lunch. Just in case the bugs are biting, bring insect repellent. A garden kneeling pad or a piece of an old yoga map or sleeping pad are useful items to sit on during lunch and breaks. And it is hunting season again, so wear something orange when you are outdoors hikingReminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Past events
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