Just this morning, I had the opportunity to explore the New Marlboro Preserve in New Marlborough, Massachusetts for the very first time.
The New Marlboro Preserve is a 114 acre mixed hardwood forest that was purchased by the New Marlborough Land Trust back in 2016. A 1.3 mile hiking loop was created, but was done so in a manner that was minimally disruptive to the natural habitat. The hiking trail follows the Willow Creek Gorge, passes a picnic area, then runs alongside the Umpachene River. The trail then passes through a grove of black cherry trees as it circles back towards the parking area.Â
Local historian Bernard Drew did some research on the location of the New Marlboro Preserve. Mr. Drew discovered that a cheese factory that once existed nearby was powered by the waters of Willow Creek. You can reference Mr. Drew’s Berkshire Eagle article on the cheese factory here.
Parking area and trailhead
The New Marlboro Preserve offers a short but beautiful hike that is only of moderate difficulty due to some uneven footing along the trail. The parking area and trailhead are located near the intersection of Routes 183 and 57 near Gedney Farm.Â
You can obtain a trail map from The New Marlborough Land Trust website. The New Marlboro Preserve reminds us that it truly takes a lifetime to locate and explore all of the beautiful places in the Berkshires.