Location: Pawling Distance: 4.45 miles Skill Level: easy to moderate Elevation Gain: 200' Type of Hike: lollipop Trail Condition: trail, rocky, gravel Wow Factor: views of the lake Note: gun range nearby, stay on the trail on the east side of the lake How to get there: The parking area is located on the east … Continue reading Nuclear Lake
Month: February 2016
Hearthstone Castle
At Tarrywile Park Location: Danbury Distance: .75 mile Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 150' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: paved, gravel Wow Factor: graffiti ridden castle How to get there: From I84, take exit 3. Continue on US 7 South. Take exit 7 toward the Airport. Left on Sugar Hollow Rd. Left on Wooster … Continue reading Hearthstone Castle
Edward Ryan Memorial Park
Location: Kent Distance: .5 Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: loops Trail Condition: wood chips Wow Factor: ends in a playground How to get there: From Route 6, head north on 52. Turn right at the light for Fair St. Left on Hill and Dale. Right on … Continue reading Edward Ryan Memorial Park
Muscoot Farm
Location: Katonah Distance: 2.5 miles, option for more or less Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 200' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail, rocky, grass, gravel Wow Factor: ends with a farm Note: opening and closing times are strictly observed Website How to get there: From 684, take 35 West. Turn left on 100. Farm is on … Continue reading Muscoot Farm
Laurel Ledges
From the Cornwall Hill Rd entrance Location: Patterson Distance: 1.5 miles Skill Level: moderate Elevation Gain: 300' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: trail, rocky Wow Factor: nice views How to get there: From 84, take 311 east. Veer right on 164. Make a left on Cornwall Hill Rd (there is a large sign for … Continue reading Laurel Ledges
Mount Beacon
Location: Beacon Distance: 2 or 4 miles Skill Level: difficult Elevation Gain: 1500' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: gravel, rocky, metal stairs, trail Wow Factor: amazing views, climbable firetower, and self-satisfaction How to get there: The parking lot is at the corner of 9D and Howland Ave in a bend in the road. Its … Continue reading Mount Beacon
Choate Sanctuary
Location: Mt. Kisco Distance: 1.5 miles Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 150' Type of Hike: partial loop Trail Condition: paved, trail Wow Factor: nice workout Note: A lot of the spray painted markers are worn (3/2016), especially the white, so keep your eyes open. How to get there: From 684, take the Saw Mill to … Continue reading Choate Sanctuary
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Fox Hill Trail Location: Pound Ridge Distance: 1.7 miles Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail, paved Wow Factor: ends in a playground, pass nature center How to get there: From 684, head east on 35. Make a right on 121 and almost immediately make a left into the park. … Continue reading Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Hearst-Mead Preserves
Connects to O'Donohue and Halmi Preserves from Mountain Lakes Park Location: North Salem Distance: 4 miles Skill Level: moderate Elevation Gain: 450' Type of Hike: lollipop Trail Condition: gravel, trail, rocky Wow Factor: great workout with a baby on your back How to get there: From I684, take Exit 7 east. Turn left/north on 22 and … Continue reading Hearst-Mead Preserves
Koegel Park
Location: Yorktown Heights Distance: .8 miles Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail Wow Factor: the field at the end in summer looks like fairies could live there How to get there: From Route 6 or 202, turn onto 118. The park is on the west side of the … Continue reading Koegel Park
Half Pint Hikes in the Hudson Valley 