Location: Haines Falls (part of the Catskills) Distance: 1.5 miles Skill Level: easy to moderate Elevation Gain: 500' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: paved, rocky Wow Factor: 2 waterfalls Note: you have to walk along a narrow, fast road to get to the trail head How to get there: Take I84 West to I87 … Continue reading Kaaterskill Falls
hiking
Sterling Farm Preserve
Location: Patterson Distance: 1 mile Skill Level: easy, with steep descent and hand rails Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail, rocky Wow Factor: fun rope railing Note: As of summer 2016, the last section would be impassable for little walkers as its so overgrown with pricker bushes. How to get there: From … Continue reading Sterling Farm Preserve
Farrell-Ross Preserve
Location: Brewster Distance: 1.5 miles Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: partial loops Trail Condition: grass, boardwalk, swampy, rocky, trail Wow Factor: there is a really cool tree that "melted" to a rock How to get there: Take I684 North until it becomes 22 North. Turn right on Milltown … Continue reading Farrell-Ross Preserve
Tilly Foster
Yellow trail on the farm side Location: Brewster Distance: 1 mile Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: lollipop Trail Condition: gravel, grass, trail Wow Factor: ends with animals Note: website says it is permanently closed but it was bought by Putnam County How to get there: From I84, take exit 19. Follow 312 … Continue reading Tilly Foster
Mahopac School District Nature Trail
Location: Mahopac Distance: 1 mile Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers, possibly stroller friendly Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: lollipop Trail Condition: paved, trail, grass, mulch Wow Factor: perfect size for little kids Note: for use only when school is out How to get there: From the Taconic, take Route 6 East. … Continue reading Mahopac School District Nature Trail
John Jay Homestead
Location: Bedford Distance: 1.75 miles, option for more or less Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: grass, trail Wow Factor: historical value and discovery centers Note: discovery centers closed Monday and Tuesday and winter How to get there: From I648, take exit 6. Follow 35 east. Turn right onto … Continue reading John Jay Homestead
Little Stony Point
Location: Cold Stone Distance: 1.25 miles Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: lillipop Trail Condition: gravel, paved, sand, trail, rocky Wow Factor: the views How to get there: From Cold Spring and 301, head north on 9D. Follow it a short distance. There is a small sign on … Continue reading Little Stony Point
Audubon Greenwich – Nature Play Trail
Location: Greenwich, CT Distance: .25 miles, option for more Skill Level: easy, great for little walkers and handicap accessible Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: grass Wow Factor: awesome stations to play with natural materials Note: Sometimes you have to pay $3 to hike Website How to get there: From I684, take … Continue reading Audubon Greenwich – Nature Play Trail
Leonard Park Playground
Location: Mt Kisco Parking: large lot Traffic: busy year-round, especially in summer when pool is open Fee: none Suggested Age: 2-12 Tot Friendly: yes Gated: no, split rail between playground and road and some fencing up to border stream Sandbox: yes Swings/Baby Swings: 4/4 Play equipment: 3 play structures, bouncy seats, climbing wall, sandbox, swings, … Continue reading Leonard Park Playground
Croton Point Park Playground
The south side playground Location: Croton-on-Hudson Parking: large lot Traffic: busy year round, especially in summer Fee: paid entrance, seasonally Suggested Age: 2-5 Tot Friendly: yes, with help Gated: no, split rail fence by parking lot Sandbox: no Swings/Baby Swings: one tire swing Play equipment: one play structure, 4 slides, 2 bridges, climbing sections Review: This was … Continue reading Croton Point Park Playground
Half Pint Hikes in the Hudson Valley 