Autumn in the Berkshires is prime hiking territory, and one long-distance hiker's recent stretch of the Appalachian Trail (AT) shows how a little route creativity can pay off. Writing on The Trek, the hiker logged a 14.7-mile northbound leg through October Mountain State Forest in western Massachusetts, finishing at their van in under four and a half hours — and proving the AT isn't the only way through.
The day began at first light in the low 40s Fahrenheit, though the forest held its warmth better than the surrounding open country. An early highlight came in the form of a ruffed grouse that, rather than fleeing, trailed along the trail pecking at the forest floor — long enough for dozens of photos.
The real interest for hikers is the reroute. Instead of climbing Becket Mountain on the AT, the hiker had scouted an alternative the night before: a gravel path along power lines to Becket Road, then the Finerty Trail — a wide, multi-use track shared with ATVs and snowmobiles — either rejoining the AT at Finerty Pond or continuing to County Road. It traded rocky climbs for a straighter, more open corridor lined with fall colour, and cut out a chunk of elevation. It's a good example of how maps apps and a bit of evening planning can reshape a section hike.
The trail also delivered a memorable encounter: an 82-year-old day hiker who'd just sawn a fallen tree off the path and was mulling a thru-hike of his own. The blogger's advice is worth noting for anyone considering a southbound (SOBO) AT hike — starting at Mount Katahdin in Maine means an immediate steep climb, a heavy food carry through the 100 Mile Wilderness, and roughly 400 miles of relentless mountain terrain, including New Hampshire's White Mountains, before your trail legs develop. A northbound start from Georgia offers more camaraderie and the famous 'trail magic' of roadside kindness from locals. The octogenarian nodded, unconvinced — apparently preferring solitude over company. Fair enough.
Before wrapping up, the hicker added a short road walk past Blueberry Hill, home of the 'Northern Cookie Lady', whose sign invites hikers into her flower beds — one of the AT's beloved small acts of trail hospitality. The day finished in Pittsfield, where a casual cafe with WiFi, power outlets, a fireplace, and 6:30am opening hours doubled as an office and a spot to catch the Singapore Grand Prix.
Why does this matter to travellers? For anyone planning an AT section hike or a Berkshire autumn getaway, October Mountain State Forest is a flexible playground: the official AT plus ATV-friendly connectors let you tailor mileage, elevation and scenery. It's also a reminder that the trail's magic isn't only in the wilderness — it's in the grouse, the cookie ladies, and a warm cafe in Pittsfield at the end of a cold morning.
Story via The Trek.
