Williams: Fall Walks

By Sue Bush for the Williams College Office of Public Affairs

October is frequently a fickle month for the Williams College campus, delighting summer-loving souls with 80-degree temperatures one day and teasing ski buffs with frosty mornings and snow flurries on another. But temperature highs and lows are no match for the month’s true calling card: the splendid hues of scarlet, rust, gold and orange that spread like soft, slow flames across the area’s foliage.

“Leaf-peeping” may be best enjoyed when the “peepers” are ambling along a woodland trail and experiencing the contrast of a mild autumn sun on the face and crisp, spicy-scented breeze tugging at jacket hems and hat brims.

There are several trails near the Williams College campus that may deliver a bit of outdoor exercise as well as some of the best views a Williamstown autumn has to offer. Dress for the weather — layers are best — and walk on!

Stone Hill

The Stone Hill area of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is among the most popular walking venues in the town. A number of trails offering a variety of hiking options and include the Pasture Loop, the Stone Bench Loop, and the Stone Hill Loop. The art museum is situated at 225 South Street, the trail beginning is marked with signage and two grave markers that identify the final resting place of dogs that belonged to Dr. Vanderpool Adriance, who once owned the property.

One three- to four-mile walk takes hikers along the Stone Bench Loop, which leads to a stone bench honoring former Williams Professor George Moritz Wahl. Wahl taught German at Williams. Views from Stone Hill are awe-inspiring and include a sweeping look at Vermont’s Green Mountains and Williamstown. Stone Hill is foot traffic only. Parking at the Clark is free; don’t pass up the chance to visit the museum.

Blair Road

A straightforward trek with good directions, this amble just nudges over a five-mile length. On a clear day, you won’t see forever, but you will see acres of farmland and foliage that will surely dazzle with their colorful brilliance. Blair Road is a left turn located 1.5 miles along Route 43 (Water Street, which becomes Green River Road).

The route travels over a trio of hills and the third hill provides a beautiful view of the town and the serene sight of the Thompson memorial Chapel. Finding one’s way back to campus is not tricky; simply continue along Blair Road to where it connects with Route 2 and head back to the campus. This route may be walked or driven.

Bee Hill Road

For ambitious, wouldn’t-have-it-any-way-but-challenging hikers, an autumn climb of Bee Hill may be just what your soles are craving. The road hosts a steep climb of about a mile but also affords eye-pleasing scenery nearly every step of the way. Once at the hill’s crest, you can reverse direction or continue on to Route 2, turn left, and follow it back to campus.

Hopkins Forest

Hopkins Forest is owned by the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies and the public is permitted to use the forest’s well-defined trails. The forest is accessible from Bulkley Street and its acreage includes portions of New York and Vermont. More information about Hopkins Forest trails is available on the CES website at www.williams.edu/CES/hopkins/public/trailmap.htm.

Gale Road

This pleasant stroll sticks to mostly paved roads carrying traffic. The scenery varies from well-kept, tree-dotted yards to some thick pine clusters and shady patches. Take South Street past the Clark Art Institute and along the back of the Taconic Golf Course until the roadway meets Route 43. Turn left and follow Green River Road (which becomes Water Street) to Route 2. The campus is to the left.

* * * * *

This is but a sampling of the trails that await those who venture into the great outdoor Northern Berkshire region. Whether the weather calls for a chilled glass of freshly-pressed apple cider or a mug of sweetly steaming hot chocolate, one Williamstown autumn aspect remains consistent: the season peaks with Mother Nature’s walk along a red, orange and yellow stage!

Got a favorite walk? Tell us about it! news@williams.edu


By Sue Bush for the Williams College Office of Public Affairs	October is frequently a fickle month for the Williams College campus, delighting summer-loving souls with 80-degree temperatures one day and teasing ski buffs with frosty mornings and snow flurries on another. But temperature highs and lows are no match for the month’s true calling card: the splendid hues of scarlet, rust, gold and orange that spread like soft, slow flames across the area’s foliage. “Leaf-peeping” may be best enjoyed when the “peepers” are ambling along a woodland trail and experiencing the contrast of a mild autumn sun on the face and crisp, spicy-scented breeze tugging at jacket hems and hat brims. There are several trails near the Williams College campus that may deliver a bit of outdoor exercise as well as some of the best views a Williamstown autumn has to offer. Dress for the weather — layers are best — and walk on!
	Stone Hill The Stone Hill area of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is among the most popular walking venues in the town. A number of trails offering a variety of hiking options and include the Pasture Loop, the Stone Bench Loop, and the Stone Hill Loop. The art museum is situated at 225 South Street, the trail beginning is marked with signage and two grave markers that identify the final resting place of dogs that belonged to Dr. Vanderpool Adriance, who once owned the property. One three- to four-mile walk takes hikers along the Stone Bench Loop, which leads to a stone bench honoring former Williams Professor George Moritz Wahl. Wahl taught German at Williams. Views from Stone Hill are awe-inspiring and include a sweeping look at Vermont’s Green Mountains and Williamstown. Stone Hill is foot traffic only. Parking at the Clark is free; don’t pass up the chance to visit the museum.
	Blair Road A straightforward trek with good directions, this amble just nudges over a five-mile length. On a clear day, you won’t see forever, but you will see acres of farmland and foliage that will surely dazzle with their colorful brilliance. Blair Road is a left turn located 1.5 miles along Route 43 (Water Street, which becomes Green River Road). The route travels over a trio of hills and the third hill provides a beautiful view of the town and the serene sight of the Thompson memorial Chapel. Finding one’s way back to campus is not tricky; simply continue along Blair Road to where it connects with Route 2 and head back to the campus. This route may be walked or driven.
	Bee Hill Road For ambitious, wouldn’t-have-it-any-way-but-challenging hikers, an autumn climb of Bee Hill may be just what your soles are craving. The road hosts a steep climb of about a mile but also affords eye-pleasing scenery nearly every step of the way. Once at the hill’s crest, you can reverse direction or continue on to Route 2, turn left, and follow it back to campus.
	Hopkins Forest Hopkins Forest is owned by the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies and the public is permitted to use the forest’s well-defined trails. The forest is accessible from Bulkley Street and its acreage includes portions of New York and Vermont. More information about Hopkins Forest trails is available on the CES website at www.williams.edu/CES/hopkins/public/trailmap.htm. Gale Road This pleasant stroll sticks to mostly paved roads carrying traffic. The scenery varies from well-kept, tree-dotted yards to some thick pine clusters and shady patches. Take South Street past the Clark Art Institute and along the back of the Taconic Golf Course until the roadway meets Route 43. Turn left and follow Green River Road (which becomes Water Street) to Route 2. The campus is to the left.
See also: Williams Outing Club Pine Cobble Trail Walkabouts	* * * * * This is but a sampling of the trails that await those who venture into the great outdoor Northern Berkshire region. Whether the weather calls for a chilled glass of freshly-pressed apple cider or a mug of sweetly steaming hot chocolate, one Williamstown autumn aspect remains consistent: the season peaks with Mother Nature’s walk along a red, orange and yellow stage!	Got a favorite walk? Tell us about it! news@williams.edu