Timeline
17:10
Stop at Hinsdale Food Mart. The Asian-owned store is open late enough to pick up a hot beverage and a light snack. Check the hours to ensure you are there before they close at 9 PM.
17:25
Walk to Old Mill Trail. The trailhead is right across the bridge from the food mart. Head onto the 1.4 miles of wheelchair-accessible path that follows the East Branch Housatonic River. The paved surface is easy to navigate with your snack and drink.
18:10
Find a spot on the trail facing WSW. As the sun sets on October 15th, the light will fade into the golden hour starting around 17:32. This is the perfect moment to watch the sky reflect off the river water. The view is open and unobstructed from the trail itself.
18:40
Finish your walk back along the river. The trail loops back toward the main road. It is a short, flat return walk that lets you digest your snack while the twilight deepens.
Local tip
The trail is open for hiking and birdwatching, but bring a jacket. Evenings by the river get cold quickly in October. If you want to stay longer, the trail connects to wider networks, but for this sunset plan, the accessible loop is sufficient.
Check before you go
- Hinsdale Food Mart closes at 9 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 9 PM on Sundays (note: the context lists 7:30AM-9PM for Sun, which seems like a typo in the source data, but 9 PM is the latest closing time listed). Verify the exact closing time if you plan to go late.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Hinsdale (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).