Matt Buckwalder of Port Jefferson, N.Y., climbs the last steps toward the monument atop Mount Greylock in Adams, Mass.

AP / JANET KNOTT

ADAMS, MASS. — At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the tallest peak in Massachusetts. It has a road to the top as well as a hotel, a snack bar and a viewing tower. And it’s got dozens of miles of hiking trails where you won’t see a soul.

The mountain is made up of a long ridge that boasts a half-dozen peaks. It’s possible to climb some of the lesser ascents, get awesome views, and never have to deal with the throngs on the summit. Or make a quick side trip to the top for even better views and some ice cream or a hot lunch (although the facilities won’t open until July).

The best way to start exploring Greylock is to call the visitor’s center to order their excellent (and free) trail map (413-499-4262).

Mountain bikers will notice a number of trails dedicated to bikes, mostly on the west side. And road bikers with strong thighs will also enjoy the long, 2,500-foot climb to the peak (approach from the south for a less-steep ascent). The road, once riddled with potholes and patches, has just been reopened after two years of repairs.

Cyclist Don Berens, who pedaled through on a recent weekend, said there were “scores of other cyclists who wanted to try out the road.”

Trails are all well-marked and easy to follow. But bring a map — the trail network is vast.

The Hopper Trailhead begins at a large farm, and provides access to the mountain’s most remote corners. My favorite loop starts by taking the Money Brook Trail to the Mount Prospect trail. This climbs a narrow ridge north to a secluded peak.

You can return on the Money Brook Trail for a loop of only a few hours. Or turn the hike into an all-day trip by heading east to Mount Williams on the Appalachian Trail, and then south to Greylock’s busy summit before hiking back to the car on the Hopper Trail.

Roaring Brook Road, on the west side, is a more secluded trailhead, located next to the entrance to the private Mount Greylock Ski Club. Recently I did a five-hour loop by following the Roaring Brook Trail up to the Deer Hill Trail, past a waterfall and lean-to, and eventually winding up on Sperry Road.

Sperry, a dirt road now closed to traffic, leads to a popular campground. At the campground is what could be the world’s worst hiking map — a dark brown mess of a billboard with hand-painted lines showing all streams, trails, town borders and roads. Hikers checking out the map just shook their heads. Don’t be afraid to whip out your trail map and give the lost souls some directions.

Sperry Road leads to Stony Ledge, which offers a stunning view of the entire Greylock ridge. Picnic tables make this an attractive place to eat lunch, and the lack of cars means this will be a much quieter spot than in the past. From here, take the Stony Ledge Trail back to your car (be sure not to take the Haley Farm Trail to Hopper Road if you parked at Roaring Brook).

Hikers should be warned that Greylock was hit hard by last December’s ice storm, and that many trails still have broken trees lying across them. However, I didn’t have any problems.

“It’s not like you can’t find the trail,” a visitor’s center employee told me. “It’s just that it hasn’t been cleaned yet. Some people are not liking it, and some

people are.”If you go . . .

FROM PROVIDENCE: Take Route 146 to the Mass Pike (I-90) and follow it west to exit #2 in Lee. Follow Route 20 to Route 7 to Lanesboro. Watch for the Mount Greylock Reservation and Visitor signs on the right, two miles north of Lanesboro. Turn right at North Main St. The visitor center is on the right just before entering the gates to the reservation. Continue on Rockwell Road for 9 miles to the summit.