Sections 12 and 13 of the Metacomet-Monadnock trail, which traverse the Pelham Hills, can easily be combined into a single day hike. This is a fairly easy six mile segment of the trail. There are only two significant ascents and virtually no lost climb.
Limited parking is available on the north side of North Valley Road, under the powerline, in Pelham.
The hike begins with a steep ascent, for a short distance, up the powerline. Soon, the trail turns left, W, into the woods and continue NW over level terrain before beginning the climb to the top of Mt. Orient. A steep rock scramble brings you to the southern edge of a ridge where you are rewarded with a spectacular vista of the Holyoke Range to the south. The remainder of section 12 is a gentle downhill walk along the west flank of Poverty Mt. On the way you will cross wet areas on bog bridges and pass next to many old stone walls before reaching Pratts Corner Road.