Orange Trail

Location: Pound Ridge
Distance: 1.6 miles
Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers
Elevation Gain: 150′
Type of Hike: loop
Trail Condition: trail, road
Wow Factor: nature center, playground
Note: paid parking year round

How to get there: From 684, head east on 35.  Make a right on 121 and almost immediately make a left into the park.  Head to the gatehouse to pay and east along the main road.  You’ll come to the nature museum and will want to take the road beside it up the hill to the playground.

 

Summary: From the parking area, head away from the way you drove in.  Follow the gravel road a short distance and pick up the orange trail in the trees.  Head downhill.

At marker 13, turn right to keep on orange.  Keep heading down, passing marker 51.

At marker 10, hang a right to stay on orange, now heading north.  You’ll have a long stretch, still heading downhill, until you hit the road.

While you’re here, check out the nature center.  There are taxidermy animals and bugs and dioramas to look at.  There are things to touch and some activities.  Behind the center, there were some replica wigwams that were very interesting.  Not sure if they’re a permanent fixture but look for them and ask the people working at the center.

When you’re done, you’ll head up the paved road you drove up, and head back to the playground.  In the summer, this part is hot with no shade but there are tons of butterflies.

Take a rest at the playground.  There are picnic tables, too.

 

Facilities: restrooms, nature center
Hunting: yes
Dogs: on leash

Map