Mt Toby & Sunderland Fire Tower, MA

• 4-star hikes
• 3 mile trails
• Moderate | Gain 920 feet
• Sunderland, MA | Pioneer Valley
. MA Fire Towers

A panoramic view from a high vantage point, likely a lookout tower. The foreground features part of the metal structure of the tower, including railings and support beams. A chair is attached to the railing on the left side, suggesting a place for observation or rest. An electronic device, possibly for communication or weather monitoring, is mounted near the railing. The middle ground reveals treetops exhibiting autumn colors—hints of red, yellow, and green foliage are visible. In the background, a layer of clouds sits just below the horizon line, creating a sea of white that blankets the lower landscape. Above this cloud cover is a clear blue sky.

Fog over the Connecticut River on a crisp fall morning.

Mount Toby State Forest is a great place to escape into wilderness among a network of quiet woodland trails close to the town of Sunderland and the Connecticut River. The location is also a demonstration forest managed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst for teaching, research and demonstration.

In this article we define the shortest hike to the summit of Mount Toby and its fire tower, commencing from one of two trailheads. Our preferred trailhead is at scenic Cranberry Pond, so we can begin our walk with an appreciation of Mount Toby's reflection in the pond's surface before treking to the summit. In icy conditions you may decide to start at the main trailhead however, as the section of Reservation Road past the pond is not maintained during winter months. The main trailhead is also the starting point for another trail to Sunderland Caves, which we've linked in the 'Trailspotting Nearby' section below.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Mt Toby from Cranberry Pond 3.4 mi out & back, moderate, gain 930 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

⬤ 4★ Mt Toby from Reservation Rd 3.1 mi out & back, moderate, gain 920 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

If you're starting at Cranberry Pond you'll be beginning on a narrow trail that follows the pond's western shores. You can either turn right to connect with a service road or continue past the pond where the two trails merge. If you're starting at the main Reservation Road trailhead then you'll be walking the service road from the beginning.

You could continue up the service road to reach the summit, though that's a 5.4 mile out-and-back way journey along an inspiring route. We prefer to fork off onto the narrower Blue Trail, which is easily identified as it's where the power lines servicing the fire tower make a direct route up the mountain. The Blue Trail joins with a segment of the Robert Frost Trail and becomes moderately steeper as you get closer to the summit. Those looking for less steep switchbacks here can follow Robert Frost trail signs which lead off into the forest and back again, featuring some marginally easier terrain though has sections with difficult wayfinding. With the summit as your goal, however it's difficult to get lost.

This serene image showcases a lake surrounded by trees with beautiful autumn foliage. The trees display a stunning range of colors from green to yellow, orange, and red, reflecting beautifully on the calm lake's surface. The clear blue sky above adds to the tranquility of the scene, while a hill covered with trees in the background provides depth to the image.

Cranberry Lake makes for a picturesque trailhead.

Mount Toby has been home to a fire lookout tower for over a hundred years, with the original structure being an open wooden platform. It is often referred to as Sunderland Fire Tower. Accoding to the Fire Lookout Association the most recent structure is from 1951 and includes a cabin that was last replaced in 2002. Though members of the public can't enter the locked cabin, they are free to climb the eight flights of metal stairs to find a great vantage point above the trees, with splendid views of the Connecticut River Valley.

Trailspotting has located all fire towers known to be still standing throughout New England, including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We've mapped and categorized them based on the interests of trail users, providing hiking opportunities to reach these structures and reviews of trails that lead to them. Check out our link at the bottom of the page for more.

Two individuals walking on a forest trail surrounded by autumn foliage. The person on the left is wearing a blue jacket and dark pants, while the person on the right is wearing an orange jacket and black pants. Both individuals are wearing hats and appear to be enjoying a leisurely walk in a natural setting with vibrant fall colors.

Friends on their routine Mount Toby hike.

A tall metal tower supporting a small cabin-like structure at the top, which appears to be an observation or fire lookout post. The sky is clear and blue, indicating good weather conditions. The tower is braced with numerous diagonal metal wires for stability. Mounted on the exterior of the cabin are various antennas and communication devices, suggesting that this structure may be used for surveillance, communication, or emergency services.

The still active Mount Toby Fire Tower.

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Mount Toby Trail
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Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Sunderland Caves (2 mi) · 4★ Mount Sugarloaf (2-4 mi) · Show Map

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