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Savoy State Forest
7 reviews
4.14 of 5
Singletrack and doubletrack (logging roads). The trail system is very well maintained, except for the hiking/biking trails at the far north end of the Preserve, which are pretty well overgrown and not well marked anymore and covered w/ alot of blowdown.
From points west (Albany): Take rte 2 east thru Troy until you cross into Mass, stay on rte 2 thru Williamstown, MA and North Adams. Follow rte 2 up the mtn, around the Famous Hairpin Turn. Go about 4 miles more until you see a sign for the Town of Florida, make the next right turn onto Central Shaft Rd, look for the signs to the State Forest. Stop in at the Ranger's Station to pick up your Map of the trails, you're going to need it!!!!!!
Summary: I may be mistaken, but I thought this may have been part of one of the IMBA epic rides a few years back. Based on that, and on the previous reviews, I did an overnight trip out there. It was very dissappointing.
I had a good map, and rode the majority of the trails from the central part of the park (Tannery Trail) down to Borden Mtn (Kamick Trail). I would describe all trails as doubletrack. In fact, there is no singletrack listed on the map. I kept my eyes open during my 4 hr ride and saw no singletrack. There's also a large number or maintained dirt roads through the park. Most of the trails were for atv's, though they're now banned. But they've left their mark, with huge ruts everywhere. A lot of the ruts were filled with some nasty mud. Being in the middle of nowhwere, far from a large population base, these trails don't see much use. Thus, they were covered in leaves and had sticks everywhere ready to rip off a derailer. The trails were not technically challenging, excpet that the climbs went straight up. Most of the trails in fact were straight, not flowing singletrack. They were obviously not desinged with bikes in mind.
After the ride I talked to a ranger and he said the trails in the NW corner might be better, but that a lot of hikers used them as well. The trails I was on covered @80% of the park and based on those, I can't recommened this to anyone, unless you're in the area and just trying to put in tons of miles. If you're from Boston, don't make the drive. There's dozens of places better than this within 90 minutes.
On a positive note, I did see a bear and its cubs, the tannery falls were nice to check out, and the view from Borden Mtn was cool.
Recommended Route: Trails in the nw corner may be better suited for bikes.
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Summary: Until Spring rains die out, I'd stay off the North End loops (Blackburnian and Busby's). Did them last weekend (Mem. Day) and my friend informed me after the 4 hour ride that I was riding a mtn bike not a submarine. I love mud, so I didn't mind it so much, however it's not great for the trails/erosion. Blackburnian, if you can find it past the second set of powerlines, has a spectacular view if you summit the powerline double-track at around 2500 ft. Well worth the climb. you can see Greylock from there. Anyway, be prepared to ride mudbogs and creeks up to your hubs. If you're a freak about wear and tear on your drivetrain, this is not the trail for you. Definitely stop in to see Tim, the Park Ranger at the Campground area. He is very knowledgable about good routes and what's in good condition. He told us last weekend that the AmeriCorps people were coming in to do some trail maintenance on the north end trails in June 2004, so check it out ahead of time and call Tim to ask if they've been there yet before you plan a trip there. The rest of the trails, according to Tim, are rutted out rocky doubletrack, great climbing, and technical out the wazzoo, however, the mudbogs are there year-round, since the ATV's are as well.
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Review Date May 3, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: nick
, from Western Mass
Summary: This area is pretty big and there are lots of road acess starting points. It is almost always very muddy because ATV's are allowed on the trails. Borden mtn- Theres a super steep 1/2 mile slog up to the top on the fireroad(sometimes this is tricky due to bad road conditions). Then at the top theres an excellent view from the top of the firetower. Then you have 2 or 3 tricky routes down from the top- very fun. You can probaly bag Balanced rock(huge boulder) and tannery falls (waterfall) on the same ride. (see other reviews) A very gentle ride can be done starting at either halocville or plainfield ponds. This was one of my first rides when i was around 8 so its doable with kids. You ride around the ponds and in the woods (about 5 miles) and then go back and swim in the pond if you want too. Youre bassically just going around the ponds so if you go 1 way just take all lefts or if you go the other, take all rights. also some trail on the other side of rt116 that tend to be supermuddy- 1 leads you strait through a beaver pond. have fun
Recommended Route: lots of routes but here are some destinations -Borden mtn firetower -balanced rock -tannery falls -halockville and plainfield ponds
Other recommended trails in the same area: if you want more single track and less mud, check out Hawley/Debuque state forest.
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Review Date September 27, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: mark
, from bennington VT
Summary: It's very remote, particularly on the north end of the park. Try the Blackintonian Loop (off the North Loop). I would contradict the review which says that the north (hiking) trails are over grown. Although I had to get off the bike a few times, I found the trails to be in good shape and offered a lot of tricks they were challenging and rideable. Also, they are well marked and maps are available.
Recommended Route: The North and South Loop provide challenging single track with no significant ups or downs. The ORV trails are very tame.
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Review Date September 16, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
1 votes
Reviewed by: Puzman
, from Wallingford, CT
Summary: Savoy has a real backcountry feel to it. The trails on the N end of the forest involve some bushwacking, but overall are great trails. I prefered them to the ORV trails elsewhere in the area, which are rutted and loose. We rode N pond loop, then Bog Pond trail, then Roaring Brook trail. The latter was one of the best singletrack experiences of my life.
Recommended Route: Hiking trails on N end of park Bog Pond trail Roaring Brook trail downhill to Tannery Falls (AWESOME!!!!)
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mt Snow
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