Discover the Magic of Stick Season: 7 Stunning Hikes for Late Fall

If you’ve listened to Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” you already know this time of year gets a bad reputation—bare trees, grey skies, and that limbo feeling between peak foliage and first snow. But those who venture outdoors in late fall know that stick season is actually one of the best times to hit the trail. 

It’s that quiet stretch when the last leaves touch the ground and the crowds go home. The air turns cool and sharp, outlooks that are usually blocked by leafy branches open up into sweeping views, and there’s a stillness in the air.

Hand-picked by AMC Books editor Tim Mudie, here are seven easy and moderate hikes across AMC’s region that shine during this underrated season:

Durham, Connecticut: Bear Rock

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 140 feet
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Rating: Moderate 

Nestled in Cockaponset State Forest, Bear Rock earns its name from a boulder that looks uncannily like a bear’s head. The Mattabesett Trail winds gently through the woods to a rounded promontory where the view—especially now, with the leaves down—stretches farther than you’d expect. Make a side trip to Millers Pond for reflections that double the beauty on calm autumn days. 

Wells, Maine: Wells Reserve at Laudholm

Distance: 3.9-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 55 feet
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Rating: Moderate 

At this 2,250-acre coastal sanctuary, October and November bring their own kind of color. The reserve’s gentle paths weave through salt marsh, meadow, and woods. Look for cranberries and late-season apples hugging the trail edges, and keep an eye out for flocks of migrating ducks and geese as they make their long annual journey. 

White Mountains, New Hampshire: Devil’s Hopyard

Distance: 2.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Estimated Time: 1–2 hours
Rating: Easy/Moderate (uneven footing in places) 

Start with an accessible section of trail that follows the edge of South Pond before slipping into the narrow, picturesque gorge of Devil’s Hopyard. In stick season, with the trees bare, you’ll have a better view of stone walls, mossy boulders, and reflective water. Bring a thermos and enjoy a quiet break by the pond before heading back. Looking to make a weekend of it? AMC’s Highland Center and Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, both under an hour away, provide a base to some of the most iconic hikes in the White Mountains.

Southern New Hampshire: Rose Mountain Summit Trail

Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 430 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Rating: Easy 

If solitude is what you’re after, Rose Mountain delivers. The trail climbs steadily through quiet woods to a ledgy summit where Mount Monadnock rises in the distance. With the leaves gone, the view stretches for miles. 

Williamstown & Clarksburg Massachusetts: Pine Cobble and East Mountain

Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,340 feet
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Rating: Moderate 

The southern terminus of Vermont’s Green Mountains begins right here. The trail up East Mountain winds through oak and sheep laurel before emerging onto quartzite ledges that offer some of the most stunning 360-degree views in the region, especially during stick season.  

Hamilton & Topsfield, Massachusetts (Boston Area): Bradley Palmer State Park

Distance: 3.3-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 255 feet
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Rating: Easy 

Don’t let the lack of leaves fool you—Bradley Palmer has plenty of late-season color thanks to its towering beech trees, which turn a rich golden yellow in late October and early November. Wander the old carriage roads and open fields of this former estate for a mellow day outdoors by the winding Ipswich River. 

Blairstown, New Jersey: Mohican Outdoor Center – Rattlesnake Swamp and Appalachian Trail Loop

Distance: 6-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Estimated Time: 3–4 hours
Rating: Moderate 

This scenic loop mixes forest, wetland, and high ridgeline views. The Rattlesnake Swamp Trail leads through quiet woods before joining the Appalachian Trail along Kittatinny Ridge. With the leaves down the vistas are continuous, stretching across valleys, lakes, and, on a clear day, all the way to the Delaware Water Gap. The hike departs from AMC’s Mohican Outdoor Center (open year round), which offers cabins, camping, and a deli. 

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Stick Season

• As the saying goes: “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” Pack the 10 Essentials for a safe and warm late-season hike. 

• Be prepared and have fun on your late-fall hike by reading these shoulder season safety tips.  
• Not feeling a hike? Head to the Maine Woods and take one of AMC’s free kayaks and canoes out for a spin, or book a cozy cabin retreat, complete with a woodstove, sauna, and hearty home-cooked meals. 

 

Want to explore stick season with friends?

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