Old Mill Trail - Hinsdale Trailhead

Old Dalton Road, Hinsdale, MA

About Old Mill Trail - Hinsdale Trailhead

The Old Mill Trail offers visitors the opportunity to walk a 1.5-mile trail along the East Branch of the Housatonic River. This flat trail provides multiple scenic views of the river and immerses visitors in luscious greenery surrounding the Housatonic. Multiple charming pedestrian bridges walk right over the river, offering serene water views. History buffs appreciate the historic remnants scattered along the river, including an old dam, penstocks, and other artifacts from nineteenth-century textile mills. The Housatonic Valley Association has installed an interpretive trail to recount the natural and mill history of this section of the river, with paper brochures available on-site to guide visitors. The first half of this trail is built to accessible standards, consisting of a flat gravel walking trail that leads to a bench platform. Afterward, the trail narrows and becomes a somewhat technical hiking trail. 

Since this section of the Housatonic is fast and rocky, the river casts a soothing roar along the trail. Unlike most downstream sections of the Housatonic, the East Branch through Hinsdale and Dalton is clean and known for its pristine water. Surrounding the trail is abundant natural beauty, as boulders and hemlock groves line the trail while wildlife roams the forest, making the Old Mill Trail perfect for wildlife viewing and birding. Visitors should be on the lookout for mink, deer, red squirrels, hawks, owls, songbirds, and many other animals that thrive around the Housatonic. The surrounding floodplain forest contains distinctive cottonwood, ash, willow, and silver maple trees.

Anglers can find plenty of fishing areas along the second half of the trail, which runs right along the river's edge. This section of the river is stocked with trout and also contains pickerel, perch, and sunfish. Hunting is also permitted, with waterfowl and deer most commonly taken. Many visitors know the Old Mill Trail as excellent in any season, as the accessible section is easily traversed in the winter by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. In the fall, vibrant foliage lights up the trees, making this trail an excellent stop on a Western Massachusetts fall foliage trip. The trail is well maintained, but there may be fallen trees, icy spots, or mud puddles depending on recent weather.

This trail can be accessed in a small lot off Old Dalton Road, where a charming trailhead sign greets visitors. Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed and owners pick up after them.