Old Mill Trail - Hinsdale Trailhead
Old Mill Trail
Hinsdale, MA
Hunting | Hiking | Fishing
Old Mill Trail - Dalton Trailhead Old Dalton Road, Dalton, MA
Managed by
Berkshire Natural Resources Council
Part of
Old Mill Trail
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Dogs allowed - Leashed
- Free
- Interpretive Signage
- Near Public Transit
- Parking
- Scenic View
- Water Access
- Water Views
East Branch of the Housatonic River
The bank of the East Branch of the Housatonic River
View of the East Branch of the Housatonic River from the Old Mill Trail
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About Old Mill Trail - Dalton Trailhead
The Old Mill Trail in Hinsdale and Dalton offers a three-mile round trip hike along the East Branch of the Housatonic River. Visitors can park in a small lot off of Route 8 before following the forested trail (and river) north into Dalton, or south towards Hinsdale. Walking along the rushing river provides hikers with beautiful views and calming noise, while the trail and surrounding landscape present prime birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Additionally, an old dam and penstocks recall the area's textile mills from the 1800s, reminiscent of the area's industrial history. Manufactured remains and nature collaborate to ensure visitors total serenity alongside an appreciation for grit, two characteristics of the rugged outdoors and Western Massachusetts that make The Old Mill Trail a quintessential Berkshires hike.
In 1999, the Old Mill Trail was collaborated on and conceived by the Housatonic Valley Association, Crane and Company - who owned the property, and MassWildlife. Volunteers were essential in the trail construction from 2000-2009, and its 2010 completion was assisted by the Natural Resources Damages Fund and Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC. Far before any development upon and surrounding the Housatonic River, Native American peoples of the Mahican tribe gave the river its name, Hoo-es-ton-nuc, or "the place beyond the mountains."
The Berkshire Natural Resources Council acquired the land in 2016. Information regarding the Old Mill Trail trail's status and accessibility can be found on their website linked here.
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Berkshire Natural Resources Council
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Accessibility Assessment
There are no accessible features at this location.
When arriving at the Old Mill Trail Dalton Trailhead, visitors will notice a small lot off Route 8 providing two parking spots. This small lot contains no accessible parking spots and is located on the other side of the road from one of the trailheads. When entering the trail from the trailhead across the road, visitors will pass through a 5-foot opening in the guardrail before continuing on a 1-foot path. Once entering the trail, visitors will cross a small bridge. To get up on this bridge, visitors will have to contend with a 6-inch lip, and when exiting the bridge, they will have to contend with another 9-inch lip. Once off the bridge, visitors will cross a 3-foot-wide concrete walkway. Once on the other side of the walkway, they will have to contend with a 2.5-foot lip before continuing to the trail. There is also a trail access point on the same side of the road as the parking area. This access point is overgrown and narrow in sections, measuring 1 to 3 feet in sections. After this entrance, the trail is flat and meanders along the rushing river. This section of the trail is frequently narrow and overgrown, with the trail narrowing to as little as one foot in some areas. The trail is also frequently rocky and uneven, with roots crossing the path in many places.
Parking area
Trail entrance
Clubs, Retail & Rentals
Looking to meet up with others for team sports or group activities? Check out our list of clubs, guides and leagues in the Berkshires on the Resources page. Our list of summer camps will help you plan an overnight or day camp adventure for your young ones.
We also link to an array of outdoor recreation retail shops for gear and rental facilities for equipment on the Gear page.
