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
49
Isolation in Spring VIA Glen Boulder
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Phuong Dinh, Anthony Wilson
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000018jCH
Audience: EveryoneDescription: Are you available to hike on a Wednesday? Join us to hike Mt. Isolation and get one of the best views of the Presidentials in the Whites! And take your photo with the famous Glen boulder.
This out-and-back hike will have us summit Mt. Isolation (4,003 ft) via Glen Boulder, for a total distance of 11.4 mi and total elevation gain of 4,954 ft. We will aim for a moderate pace of 1.5-2mph. This hike features a diverse experience that includes scrambling and forest sections with frequent ascents and descents, capped off with stunning alpine scenery and unique geological features like Glen Boulder. Overall, a challenging hike with extremely rewarding views and even better company. In an AMC hike, we will start, hike and end as a group. Trip details will be given to those approved for the hike.
This is a very long and strenuous hike; especially the 4954 of elevation gain. Those seeking to participate in the hike will have recent and comparable hiking experience in the White Mountains or similar mountainous regions and have the high level of physical fitness required to handle the demands of the hike.
Fitness level: This activity is rated for the maximum physical difficulty for a hike. Please describe in detail your fitness level, pace and similar hikes in the application questions. Also ensure you are confident of your ability to complete the hike.
Please look through the AMC 3 season suggested gear list for this hike. Most important is to bring food, water and a good layering system. It's possible we will encounter some snow this early in the season, so please bring micro-spikes.
Additionally, please be sure to bring:
durable hiking boots / shoes, rain coat and rain pants a sturdy backpack, 2L+ of water, layers, to keep warm, sunscreen and/or hat for sun protection, hiking poles (optional but recommended for descents) lunch and your favorite trail snacks
**To address unforeseen challenges such as adverse weather, unacceptable trail conditions or excessive crowding, the planned trip destination, activity and/or meeting place and time may be modified. In that event, participants may elect to join in that activity or opt-out.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendeeA Friday Adventure on the New England Trail
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Amy Kelliher, Julie Huber
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000017Okz
Register By: 5/27/2026
Audience: AdultsDescription: Join us for a strenuous and fast-paced hike on the New England Trail (NET) that traverses roughly 18 miles with over 3000 ft elevation gain. The entire NET is a 235-mile trail that has been in existence for over half a century that runs from the border of NH through Massachusetts and Connecticut and includes sections of the Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock (M-M-M) trail systems.
Participants should be in good shape and be hiking regularly. Participants should have completed a hike or trail run within the past two months of at least 12 miles and over 2000 feet of elevation gain and be able to complete such a hike in less than 6 hours including short breaks . When you register please indicate the details of the hike that meets these criteria and when the hike occurred.
We will start the hike at Mt Grace State Forest in Warwick, MA, and end at Route 2 near Erving, MA. This section includes rugged, steep, and heavily wooded terrain and challenging climbs up Hermit Mountain and Mount Grace, with steep ascents, rocky ridges, and forested paths. Plan to be on trail for 8-10 hours. We will take very short breaks and a slightly longer break of about 15 minutes for lunch. This hike involves leaving cars at both our start and end points.
After registering, expect the leaders to reach out to you with questions about your experience and fitness. Your registration will not be complete until one of the leaders has received adequate info and has confirmed you for the trip.
Gear, food, and water Participants must bring a headlamp with spare batteries, carry 2-3 liters of water and plenty of dense, high-energy snacks that can be eaten easily. Participants should wear hiking boots or trail running shoes.
Please review the AMC day-hiking checklist and make sure that you are prepared. https://hb.amcboston.org/images/docs/Gear_lists/Spring_Dayhike_gear_list.pdfReminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendeeIsolation VIA Glen Boulder
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Dennis Bouthillier, Reid Gilman, Asher Kang
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000015PoP
Audience: AdultsDescription: Take on Mt. Isolation to kick off the summer! This out-and-back hike will have us summit Mt. Isolation (4,003 ft) via Glen Boulder, for a total distance of 11.4 mi and total elevation gain of 4,954 ft . We will aim for a targeted average pace of 1.5-2mph.
This hike features a diverse experience that includes scrambling and forest sections with frequent ascents and descents, capped off with stunning alpine scenery and unique geological features like Glen Boulder. Overall, the goal is to enjoy a challenging hike with extremely rewarding views and even better company (the AMC!!!!!). Trip details will be given to those approved for the hike. This is a very long and strenuous hike. Those seeking to participate in the hike will have recent and comparable hiking experience in the White Mountains or similar mountainous regions and have the high level of physical fitness required to handle the demands of the hike.
Fitness level: This activity is rated for the maximum physical difficulty for a hike. Please describe in detail your fitness level in the application questions and ensure you are confident of your ability to complete the hike.
Traction: It's possible we will encounter some snow this early in the season, so please bring micro-spikes.
Additionally, please be sure to bring: durable hiking boots / shoes, rain coat and rain pants a sturdy backpack, 2L+ of water, layers, to keep warm, sunscreen and/or hat for sun protection, hiking poles (optional but recommended for descents) lunch and your favorite trail snacks **In the event of inclement weather, this trip may be modified with another peak (Carter Dome) or may be cancelled.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendeeDouglas State Forest Mid-State Trail Backpack
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 5 - Vigorous
Trip Leader(s): Veronica Keddy, Celeste Venolia
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000014v0j
Register By: 5/20/2026
Audience: EveryoneDescription: Join us for a one night loop backpack in the beautiful Douglas State Forest, MA! On day 1, we will hike around 9.3 miles with minimal elevation gain and loss (less than 700ft gain) largely following the Mid-State Trail. On day 2, we will hike around 12.1 miles with around 100 ft of gross ascent and descent. Some highlights along this section of trail include Wallum Lake, the Tri-State marker (be in CT, RI, and MA all at once), and lots of beautiful forest. We will be aiming for a moderate pace as this trip is meant to be accessible to relatively new backpackers who are comfortable with long hikes .
Participants must have their own sleeping pad/bag that they have tested in Spring overnight temperatures, and a pack that comfortably carries their own food, water, and gear. Water along the mid-state trail (i.e. lower elevation near farms/towns) cannot generally be guaranteed to be safe in relation to pesticides and other human contaminants that filters and other water purification methods do not remove, so participants should be prepared to carry at least 2 liters of water on Day 1 with an ability to refill at the Wallum Lake facilities. Leaders will coordinate caching water near the campsite.
Among approved participants, we will coordinate a carspot/carpooling, make a plan for bear safe food storage based on gear currently owned by the group collectively, and confirm plans for shelter (i.e. how many people are bringing tents/hammocks or need to find a buddy to tent with in case the shelter is full). What is the Midstate trail? It's a 90.6 mile trail in Central MA that came together in its current form by the late 1970s. It shares a Northern terminus with the Wapack trail in NH and a Southern terminus with the RI North-South trail. Learn more here .
To address unforeseen challenges such as adverse weather, unacceptable trail conditions or excessive crowding, the planned trip destination, activity and/or meeting place and time may be modified. In that event, participants may elect to join in that activity or opt out.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Past events
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