Farley Ledges

The Farley Ledges is a bluff knob (1,067 feet (325 m)) that is notable for it's extensive rock climbing ascents. It is located on Route 2 in Farley Section of Erving. The Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition (WMCC) purchased land to preserve access to the mountain in 2007 and has developed into a trailhead with a parking lot and access corridor to the ledges. Click here to visit the North Quabbin Woods website.

Parking

WMCC owns a parking area adjacent to the trailhead. It is on Route 2, just west from Holmes Ave, near a gravel pullout on the cliff side of the street. This lot was built for 16 cars but fills up quickly on weekends and holidays. There is a $5.00 suggested donation at the kiosk.

Starting March 2021 - The Town of Erving, WMCC, and the Franklin Regional Tranist Authority (FRTA) are piloting a partnership to reduce parking congestion in Farley. There are often an abundance of climbers and hikers at the ledges without enough safe off-street parking for all of their vehicles. In the past, this has resulted in cars parking along Route 2 which poses traffic and pedestrian safety risks, as well as expensive tickets and towing for visitors.

To alleviate this issue, we are introducing a system called FRTA Access Transit, which provides on-demand rides: a reservation is made through an app and then the pick-up vehicle location and arrival time can be followed through the app. Rides can be booked up to one week in advance or in real time, and an FRTA van will take visitors to and from the WMCC parking lot on Route 2 for a very low fare.

The service is available immediately. More information on the FRTA Access program can be found here. Downloads of the FRTA app can be found on Google Play or Apple Store.  We recommend downloading the app while connected to wifi before starting your trip to Erving, as some areas along your trip may not have strong cellular service. There should be sufficient celluar service at the Municipal Lot and the Farley Ledges to use the app, but it may vary depending on your service provider.

• Weekend service hours are currently 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Weekday service hours are 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Riders should park at Erving Municipal Parking Lot at 8 West Main Street, the junction of Main and Arch Streets and use the app to schedule a pick up from here. Additional parking is available across Arch Street in the Pearl B Care Historical Building parking lot, if needed.
• Although Erving is the pickup point for riders coming from the east, the “Zone 1” service extends from Erving to Greenfield therefore riders can book from any location along the route for the same fare.
• The fare is $3 per ride for the first person making the reservation and each additional person on the same booking is half price. Therefore, six people will pay $1.75 each for the shared trip.
• Payment will be in cash to be deposited into a lockbox on entering the vehicle. Change cannot be given but overpayment will receive a credit for future rides. Online payment is being considered for the future. In the meantime, local businesses may choose to give change against purchases.
• Riders will be limited to six persons per vehicle until COVID restrictions are lifted by the State, but thereafter, fourteen or more can be carried. All COVID restrictions, including mask wearing, must be followed while on the buses/vans and at the ledges.
• There is limited room on the vans so large items such as bouldering pads, or very large packs, must be dropped off at the WMCC lot prior to booking the ride

This is a pilot program and its continuation will depend on popularity, therefore we strongly encourage its use. Hours may be adjusted in the future as ridership demands are evaluated. Your cooperation and understanding are requested to ensure this initiative is a success and there can be safe parking for all who wish to hike or climb at the ledges.

Program Feedback

To send us feedback on how the program is working, Contact Mariah Kurtz

Photos used with permission from the Western MA Climbers Coalition