Hancock

Understand

It is bordered to the north by Williamstown, to the east by (north to south) New Ashford, Lanesborough, and Pittsfield, to the south by Richmond, and to the west by the New York towns of (south to north) Caanan, New Lebanon, Stephentown, and Berlin.

Getting there

Hancock is unusual in that the town is a long strip divided in the middle by a mountain range that is difficult to access and with no road connecting the northern and southern portions of the town. The southern portion is accessible via Route 20, and the northern portion is accessible via Highway 43 and Brodie Mountain Road (the latter is off of Route 7 in Lanesborough).

Getting around

There is no direct road connecting north Hancock with south Hancock - to go south either take Highway 43→Highway 22→East St.→Darrow Rd→US 20 through Stephentown and New Lebanon in New York or go through Lanesborough down to Pittsfield on Brodie Mtn. Rd.→Bailey Rd.→US 7→US 20. An alternative southern route via Lanesborough and Pittsfield is Brodie Mtn. Rd.→Bailey Rd.→US 7 and then either Bull Hill Rd →Balance Rock Rd→Pecks Rd→Dan Casey Memorial Dr→left onto Churchill St→left onto West St→Fort Hill Ave→left onto US 20 or Hancock Rd→left onto Churchill St→left onto West St→Fort Hill Ave→left onto US 20.

See

1 Hancock Shaker Village, 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., south Hancock (on Routes 20 and 41; the entrance is 1/2 mile from the Pittsfield city limits), ☏ +1 413 443-0188, toll-free: +1-800-817-1137. A widely acclaimed destination named The City of Peace by its residents, this Shaker community disbanded in 1959 and sold the buildings and over 900 acres to a group that formed a nonprofit preservation organization. This Shaker site is in remarkable shape, and features a unique round stone barn. It now encompasses about 1,200 acres and 20 restored buildings. While the Village is based in Hancock, and that town gives the Village its name, a substantial part of the Village is in Pittsfield. See other Shaker villages in the northeast United States through the itinerary Touring Shaker country.

Do

1 Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, 37 Corey Rd, ☏ +1 413-738-5500. Jiminy Peak Resort is an alpine ski resort. In addition to the winter offerings of skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor pools, in the summer the resort has an alpine super slide, a mountain coaster, and hiking and mountain biking, as well a high ropes course. Various lodging, dining, and shopping accommodations are on the property as well. In 2007, Jiminy Peak was the first private United States company to invest in its own megawatt wind turbine, and in 2012 it installed a cogeneration unit in the Country Inn to provide both heat and hot water from the same energy source. 2 Ioka Valley Farm, 3475 MA-43, ☏ +1 413 738-5915, fax: +1 413 738-5564, [email protected]. 3475 Route 43, Seasonal activities: Uncle Don's Barnyard, maple syrup, pancake breakfast, strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees. 3 Shaker Trail, HANC-025-010.0-0000, Pittsfield (trailhead starts at Hancock Shaker Village, on the north side of Route 20). A walking and hiking trail which begins at Hancock Shaker Village and loops through Pittsfield State Forest. Highlights include a reservoir constructed by the Shakers, the foundations of some buildings from the Village's North Family, and the sacred sites of Mount Sinai and Holy Mount, where the Hancock and Mount Lebanon Shakers, respectively, held special services. The entire trail loop is 6.5 miles, and includes some strenuous portions. Directions and historical interpretative materials are available at the listed url as well as being provided at the ticket desk of Hancock Shaker Village. Admission to the historic site is not required, however, it is recommended that you check in at the ticket desk across the street. Maps are available there. Parking is available near the trail head on the north side of Route 20, as well as at the historic site on the south side of the highway. (updated Aug 2020) 1 Mount Sinai Holy Shaker Site (take the Shaker Trail north up the mountain; the site is

Buy

1 Liberty Package Store, 177 Lebanon Mountain Rd (Along Rt. 20), ☏ +1 413-443-6900. Package and liquor store. (updated Sep 2016)

Jiminy Peak 2 The Country Store at Jiminy Peak, 37 Corey Road, ☏ +1 413-738-5066, [email protected]. Daily 7AM-7PM. General store and coffee house. LGBTQ-owned. (updated Dec 2025) 3 Potter Brothers Ski & Snowboard, 37 Corey Rd, ☏ +1 413-738-5413. Ski and snowboarding equipment and outfitting. Includes daily rentals. Open seasonally only. (updated Dec 2025)

Eat

1 Bluebird & Co., 137 Brodie Mountain Rd (take either Highway 43 from the west or Route 7 from the east to access Brodie Mountain Road, along which is Powder Hounds), ☏ +1 413-738-9002. M, Th-Su 5PM-9PM. Pub food and some Asian-American offerings. Menu link: https://checkle.menu/bluebirdco_hancock. Reservations link: https://resy.com/cities/hancock-ma/venues/blue-bird?date=2025-12-04&seats=2. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Anna's Pizza Restaurant, 175 Lebanon Mountain Rd, ☏ +1 (413) 447-7119. At Liberty Plaza, off Rt. 20 Under $10. (updated Jul 2016)

Jiminy Peak 3 Henrick's Summit Lodge, Lanesborough (on the summit of Jiminy Peak). Seasonal; daily 7AM-7PM. Cafe at the summit of Jiminy Peak. It is in the town of Lanesborough, but it's part of, and only accessible via, the Jiminy Peak property. Open seasonally only. (updated Dec 2025)

Drink & nightlife

1 John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House, 9401 Mountainside Dr (at Jiminy Peak resort, 3rd Floor of Country Inn & Suites), ☏ +1 413-738-5500 ext 3780. Live music, bar, & restaurant. Open seasonally only. $30 and under. (updated Jul 2016) 2 Christiansen's Tavern, 37 Corey Road (at Jiminy Peak resort), ☏ +1 413-738-5500. Pub and deli. Open seasonally only. $20-$30. (updated Dec 2025)

Sleep

Hotels 1 Vacation Village at Berkshires, 276 Brodie Mountain Road, ☏ +1 413-738-2000, fax: +1 413 738-2100. 214 two-bedroom suites. Pool, on-site restaurant and lounge. 2 Berkshire Valley Inn, 2541 Hancock Road (on Route 43, on the border of Hancock and Williamstown; many address listings give Williamstown as the location), toll-free: +1 800 537 4246, [email protected]. Located in North Hancock on the border with Williamstown, Berkshire Valley Inn nestles among the forests in rural Berkshire County. Free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, free parking, and use of the pool during summer time. Also accommodates pets. $96-201. (updated Sep 2016)

Jiminy Peak 3 Country Inn (Jiminy Peak), 37 Corey Road, ☏ +1 413-738-5500. 101 suites. 4 Disney Magic at Jiminy Peak, 37 Corey Rd #712, ☏ +1 203-246-8667. $167 and up. (updated Dec 2025) 5 Jiminy Peak, 9044 Mountainside Dr, ☏ +1 413-738-5500. (updated Dec 2025) 6 Left Bank Lodge, 9232 Mountainside Dr, ☏ +1 518-859-0467. (updated Dec 2025) 7 Wyndham Bentley Brook, 1 Corey Rd (if coming north, take a right off Brodie Mtn. Rd., it's the first address on Corey Rd.), ☏ +1 413-738-8600, toll-free: +1-800-989-6901. Family friendly, with pool, tennis courts, hot tub, and wi-fi.