Located in the town of Lenox, this 1,211-acre wildlife sanctuary run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society features 7 miles of trails, a large pond, and striking views of forest, meadows, wetlands and wildlife. There are many well-marked walking trails to explore, which range in length and difficulty. The All Persons Trail fits its title as a mostly flat and 30- to 40-minute easy loop around Pike's Pond where hikers can often spot beavers. For the more adventurous, the Trail of the Ledges is a 3-mile loop that challenges visitors to hike a steep vertical to the top of Lenox Mountain, which reaches an elevation of 2,126 feet. The strenuous hike up is well worth the vistas of Mount Greylock, the Taconic Range and the Catskill Mountains. What's more, Pleasant Valley offers many different programs for people of all ages and abilities, including birding, canoeing, paddling and more.

Visitors say there are so many hiking loops to choose from that it would simply be impossible to do them all in one day. Luckily, the staff in the nature center can help groups decide which trails would suit them best and where they might find beavers along the way.

Pleasant Valley is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June to October and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to May. Facilities on the premises include parking, a nature center, restrooms, a universally accessible trail and a picnic area. Admission to the reserve cost $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. For more information on different hiking loops and upcoming programs, check the website.