Massachusetts · Hiking

Better

BetterPhoto: Mehrashk, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.4 mi
round trip
39 ft
climb
301 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Better is a short, easy out-and-back hike in western Massachusetts, about 0.9 miles from the small community of Aldrich Mills. The trail is 0.84 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 39 feet, so the whole trip is a gentle walk with only a modest climb. The route reaches a high point of 301 feet and a low of 261 feet, and the steepest part comes at about 0.23 miles, with a grade of 4%. It works well as a quick stop or a warm-up for anyone already exploring the area. For comfortable weather, late spring through early fall is the best window. Typical averages from the nearby Amherst weather station run from highs around 69°F in May to about 74°F in September, with July peaking near 83°F. The trail sits right alongside mountain biking access. Better Access and Main Access are each about 0.1 mile away, and IMBA Access is about 0.3 mile off. A little farther out, the Fort River offers canoeing about 6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Better

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 14°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 15°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 34°

      11 wet

    5. May

      69° / 45°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 55°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 58°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 50°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 39°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 29°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Amherst, MA, 7.2 mi away at 145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

MainPhoto: Mehrashk, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Main

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HIKE

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Lithia Springs Trail

~4 min drive

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors