Mount Holyoke

Mount Holyoke is a 935-foot summit forming the westernmost point of the Metacomet Ridge in the Connecticut River Valley. The peak consists of igneous rock and dominates the landscape with its prominent position in western Massachusetts.

The summit takes its name from Elizur Holyoke, an early explorer who investigated the mountainous terrain during the initial period of European settlement in Massachusetts. The naming connected the place to early colonial history.

The summit holds meaning for nearby Mount Holyoke College, where students have observed a special hiking tradition since 1838 when chapel bells signal a designated day each year. This gathering reinforces the bond between the institution and its natural surroundings.

A road leading to the summit operates from April through November, offering vehicle access for visitors with mobility concerns. A visitor facility at the top opens on weekends and holidays during the summer season.

The structure atop the summit, completed in 1851, developed from a modest guest shelter built in 1821 and later expanded into a two-story building. An ingenious covered tramway system was eventually integrated into the facility to assist visitors with the steep terrain.