Bray Trail to Summit

The Bray Trail climbs to the 1,202-foot summit of Mount Tom along the spine of the Holyoke Range, a dramatic traprock ridge formed by ancient Jurassic lava flows that today defines the central Massachusetts skyline. Starting from Smiths Ferry Road, the trail winds steeply upward through a distinctive forest of chestnut oak and pitch pine adapted to the thin, rocky volcanic soils. The traprock geology produces sharp, columnar basalt outcrops that create natural viewpoints throughout the ascent. From the open summit ledges, the Connecticut River Valley unfolds in panoramic splendor—the broad floodplain of the Connecticut River, the city of Springfield to the south, and the distant Berkshire Hills to the west. Mount Tom is also one of the premier hawk-watching sites in New England during fall migration: thousands of broad-winged, sharp-shinned, and Cooper's hawks funnel past the summit ridge each September and October, riding thermals generated by the valley floor. The reservation hosts a designated hawk counting station staffed by volunteer observers during the migration season. The trail surface is rocky throughout and requires sure footing; the steepest sections involve short scrambles over exposed basalt ledge. The summit area also provides access to the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail for extended ridge walking.