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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Hiking the Historic Dam Trail

Hiking the Historic Dam Trail

This 1.5-mile woodland trail traverses the east bank of the Mill River and leads to the ruins of the dam whose breach on May 16, 1874 caused the Mill River Flood disaster. The trail was established in 2016 by Williamsburg Woodland Trails (WWT) and protected in 2019 with a 10-year trail easement held by Hilltown Land Trust.

A group of people hiking through the woods on the Historic Dam Trail
Hikers enjoying the Historic Dam Trail. Photo by Candace Hope.

Trailside signs installed by the WWT tell the story of the building and breaching of the dam, and of the disaster that followed, claiming 139 lives and destroying many buildings in the towns and villages along the Mill River. The informative signs allow visitors to take a self-guided history walk as they enjoy the woodland trail.

HLT conserved the trail with a trail easement as part of the Voluntary Public Access Program, an initiative which seeks to create more publicly-accessible areas on privately-held land. We were very excited to work with our partners Franklin Land Trust and WWT as well as landowners Bethany and Will Ouimet, Lorraine Barrack, and the Northampton Water Department to protect this historic trail for public enjoyment.

This is a rugged trail of moderate difficulty with some steep/ rugged portions. Please note the trail is CLOSED IN WINTER due to potentially hazardous conditions along the narrow, sloping trail.

For a trail map, visit the WWT webpage.

Trail Use Guidelines

  • Carry in, carry out.
  • Respect the dam site and artifacts. Do not climb on or disturb the ruins.
  • Dogs are not allowed on the Historic Dam Trail.
  • No fires, camping, or motorized vehicles.
  • Please respect the land, and the generosity of the owners.

Parking and Directions

From Williamsburg center take Ashfield Road north approximately three miles. A small parking area is located at the trailhead, on the east side of Ashfield Road, just south of the Judd Lane intersection. Look for the Historic Dam Trail sign.

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9:30 AM - Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
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4:00 PM - Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
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Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
Nov 27th, 2022    
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Chesterfield Gorge
  • Family Fun
  • Partnership Event
It's that time of year again! Join us for this year’s Gorge après Gorge 5k Trail Run and Free Family Fun Walk on November 27th. [...]
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Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Dec 21st, 2022    
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
DAR State Forest
  • Hike
Enjoy the shortest day of the year with a meditative hike. We will take a short, silent walk along the Upper Highland Lake in DAR [...]
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Events on Nov 27th, 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk 2022
27 Nov 22
Chesterfield
Events on Dec 21st, 2022
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
Silent Solstice Sunset Hike
21 Dec 22
Goshen
  • About
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    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
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  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
    • Land Stewardship
    • Conservation Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer
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    • Support
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    • Gorge après Gorge
    • Vernal Pool Plunge

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© 2025 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986