Hikes With A Purpose: Chasing Waterfalls (Picnics and Wildflowers)

Destinations that will motivate even the most huffing and puffing among us. Waterfalls

Bash Bish FallsThe low-key, 0.4 mile hike into Bash Bish Falls is a lesson in the pleasures of anticipation. The tantalizing roar of the falls grows louder as you amble along the river, building to the big payoff: sheets of water tumbling down jagged granite rocks into a glistening basin. Swimming is verboten, but the young and daring scramble across rocks and wade in the cool water while more leisure-inclined types soak up the falls’ misty spray on the riverbanks. This stunning sight at the border of Massachusetts and New York is perfect for family outings, which means it tends to get crowded in the summer months. Get there early for a more intimate excursion, or just opt to embrace the falls’ communal spirit. Falls Road, Mt. Washington, NY (413) 528-0330 Race Brook FallsIf you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a mermaid, here’s your chance to find out. At the peaceful, secluded Race Brook Falls, there are plenty of flat rocks perfect for lounging beneath leafy pines. Curl up with a book or a sketching pad and bliss out to the meditative sound of the falls--with the occasional enthusiastic dog splashing through, its breathless owner close behind. Hikers have two options for the climb in. The more vertical of the two offers a picturesque overview of the falls, while the less strenuous one takes you straight to the basin. Either choice is a pretty good cardio workout. Off Route 41, near the intersection of Salisbury Road and Route 41, Sheffield, MA

Kent FallsWith barbecue grills, picnic tables, a covered bridge, and sprawling fields ripe for Frisbee-throwing, it’s no wonder droves of people descend on Litchfield’s Kent Falls Park during summer weekends. But the main attraction is the falls themselves, plunging a dramatic 250 feet into the Housatonic River. Kids in tropical-colored swimsuits frolic merrily (with adult supervision) at the bottom of the falls. The hike to the top is just a quarter-mile long, but steep enough to deter the easily winded. Those who make the trek will be rewarded with striking photo ops at every turn. 462 Kent Cornwall Road, Kent, CT (860) 927-3238 Picnic SpotsPleasant ValleyIn the words of Saturday Night Live’s Stefon, "this place has everything." Birdwatchers thrill to sightings of ruby-throated hummingbirds and red-tailed hawks, while climbers trot up the slopes of Lenox Mountain. Small waterfalls dot the wooded trails and, from mid-May through Columbus Day, boaters can paddle down Housatonic River on guided canoe trips. After a long day’s adventuring, spread out at the scenic picnic tables before heading to Tanglewood for some music al fresco. You may even spot a beaver or two dipping into Yokun Brook in this protected habitat--but since they’re nocturnal, you’ll have to keep your fingers crossed. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA 01240 (413) 637-0320

Poet's WalkWhether you’re looking for literary inspiration or just want to feel like you’ve tumbled from the pages of a pastoral idyll, you can’t go wrong by grabbing a picnic basket and heading for Poet’s Walk in Red Hook. Wander through sunlit meadows and cross footbridges over burbling streams, stopping to smell the roses (and violets) scattered throughout the 120-acre landscape. At the cedar-branch gazebo, unpack a classic meal of crusty bread, apples, and cheese and dig in. According to legend, Washington Irving dreamed up the plot of “Rip Van Winkle" in this park while gazing out at the Catskills; as you admire the bucolic view, you may think you’ve done a reverse-Van Winkle yourself. River Road, Red Hook, NY 12571 (845) 473-4440 Tyringham CobbleIf you like your potato salad and sandwiches paired with panoramic bird’s-eye views, the sweeping overlook atop Tyringham Cobble is just the ticket. The open summit, surrounded by ancient bedrock and wildflowers, gives you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the view of Tyringham Valley. To get there, take your pick of a variety of trails that wind past orchards, hay bales, and cows grazing in pastures. If you’ve got kids, be sure to pack a kite--with the Cobble’s expansive land and healthy gusts, it’s almost always perfect weather for letting wind stockings soar. 20 Jerusalem Road, Tyringham, MA 01264 (413) 298-3239 Wildflowers

Mount GreylockMount Greylock is an amateur botanist’s paradise from April through September, with abundant blooms that range from humble buttercups to rare and delicate pink lady’s slippers. Foragers can keep an eye out for coral mushrooms and artist’s conk--named for its ability to double as a blank canvas for engravings with sticks and dull pencils. (Save that tidbit for later; at Greylock there’s no touching--or fungi-graffiti--allowed.) You’ll share your enthusiasm for the blooms with butterflies like monarchs and silvery-green early hairstreaks. Guided hikes are regularly on offer, or strike out with a floral checklist of your own. Hopper Trail, a three-mile loop around the western base of the mountain, is usually an excellent bet. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA 01237 (413)499-4262 Bartholomew’s CobbleMillions of years ago, Bartholomew’s Cobble was awash with coral reefs and shells. Today, the 329-acre preserve plays host to another kind of vibrant natural life: wildflowers. With more than 800 species of plants on display, the Cobble is a great place to check out lavender, trillium, and trout lilies. Wildflowers are at their peak from mid-April through May; Ledges, Craggy Knoll, and Cedar Hills trails are particularly packed with blossoms. If you miss peak flower season, not to worry: Over 45 species of ferns are on display all summer long. 105 Weatogue Road, Sheffield, MA 01257 (413) 229-8600 Ferncliff Forest Game Refuge and Forest PreserveFerncliff Forest is best known for the 1933-era fire tower at its summit, which offers striking views of the Hudson River and the Catskills. But the old-growth forest also plays host to geraniums, columbines, and honeysuckle. With eleven varied trails, the park--donated to the public by the late Brooke Astor in 1963--begs to be visited again and again. Located just outside Rhinebeck, it’s a great trip to combine with a visit to Bard College or Haven Spa. Between Mount Rutsen and River Roads, Rhinebeck, NY (845) 876-3196