Bartholomew’s Cobble is named for its two rocky knolls—or “cobbles”—rising above the Housatonic River. Hurlburt’s Hill, the property’s highest point, rises 1,000 feet to a 20-acre upland field on the Massachusetts-Connecticut border that offers panoramic views northward up the Housatonic River Valley. Boasting an enormous variety of woodland flowers and fern species, the Cobble’s amazingly diverse flora earned it a National Natural Landmark designation in 1971.

Explore five miles of trails and discover the diversity of this landscape—open fields, transitional forests, freshwater marshes, a pair of small caves, and more. Along the way, you’ll find one of North America’s greatest diversities of fern species as well as one of the largest Cottonwood trees in the state. Paddle the Housatonic River, tour the on-site natural history museum, and make sure you return between mid-April and the end of May, when the wildflowers reach peak bloom across the property’s 329 acres.

Join local naturalist and artist, Nanci Worthington on her long term citizen science project at Bartholomew’s Cobble. The last Saturday of each month (weather dependent) she will lead a 2 hour guided course on nature journaling where she will focus on different sections of the property each month and document the changes in landscape, flora and fauna throughout the year for hopefully years to come! Register for the class and find more information here.

Admission: $5 per person for nonmembers; $1 per nonmember child (6-12); FREE for members

Open for hiking year round, visitors’ center and facilities open seasonally. Call 413.229.8600 for current hours. Allow a minimum of 2 hours or 3 hours if also visiting the Ashley House.

105 Weatogue Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Telephone: 413.298.3239

Get directions on Google Maps

From Mass Turnpike (I-90), Exit 10 for Rt. 20 East. Follow 4.6 mi., then take 1st right onto Rt. 102 West/Pleasant St. Go 6.6 mi. Turn left onto Rt. 7 South. After 8.5 mi., turn right onto Rt. 7A and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Rannapo Rd. and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn right onto Weatogue Rd. to entrance and parking (30 cars) on left.

Visitors’ Center and facilities are open seasonally, call 413.229.8600 for current hours. Two picnic tables are available for use outside the Visitors’ Center.

Free trail map distributed from bulletin board in the parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out.

We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download a trail map before you head out.

• For the protection of plants and wildlife, pets are prohibited.
• No fishing permitted on site.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.  Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.
• Authorized seasonal bow hunting is allowed on this reservation with written permission for a limited number of hunters through a deer management program administered by The Trustees. Per MassWildlife regulations, hunting is permitted from the first Monday in October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions and requirements. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties. Any questions may be directed to The Trustees at info@thetrustees.org.