Location: Pleasant Valley Distance: 1.6 miles Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 130' Type of Hike: lollipop Trail Condition: trail, paved Wow Factor: ends at a great playground How to get there: From the Taconic, take the exit for the park. Enter the park and go to the four way intersection and stay straight to … Continue reading James Baird State Park
State Park
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
FDR State Park Playground, Lot 2
Location: Yorktown Parking: large lot Traffic: busy year round, uncomfortably packed on summer weekends and holidays Fee: paid parking, seasonally Suggested Age: 2-12 Tot Friendly: yes Gated: no, but set well back from the parking lot and backs up to the woods Sandbox: no Swings/Baby Swings: tons! Play equipment: 6 play structures, 6 or more baby … Continue reading FDR State Park Playground, Lot 2
Clarence Fahnestock: Catfish Loop
Location: Cold Spring Distance:4.5 miles, option for less Skill Level: moderate to difficult Elevation Gain: 400' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail, rocky, wet areas, stream crossings Wow Factor: varied terrain How to get there: From 301, turn south on Dennytown Road. Drive 1 mile and the large gravel parking area will be on the … Continue reading Clarence Fahnestock: Catfish Loop
Bear Mountain Zoo
Location: Bear Mountain Distance: 1.5 miles, option for more Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: partial loop Trail Condition: paved road Wow Factor: the bears Note: paid parking seasonally Website How to get there: From their website: Main Entrance to Bear Mountain State Park is on Seven Lakes Drive, off of Route 9W and a short … Continue reading Bear Mountain Zoo
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
This hike takes Access > Brother's Path > Rockefeller Family Trails > Farm Meadow Trail > Ash Tree Loop > Overlook Trail Location: Sleepy Hollow Distance: 2 miles Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers and stroller Elevation Gain: 150' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: carriage road Wow Factor: view of the lake Note: paid parking year … Continue reading Rockefeller State Park Preserve
FDR State Park
Location: Yorktown Distance: 2 miles Skill Level: easy, stroller and little walker friendly Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike Walk: loop Trail Condition: paved Wow Factor: stroller friendly, paved walk that ends in a playground Note: paid parking seasonally; very busy during summer months when the pool is open How to get there: From the … Continue reading FDR State Park
Copake Iron Works
Location: Copake Falls Distance: 1 mile, option to add Bash Bish Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers Elevation Gain: 100' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: road, trail Wow Factor: preserved iron works Note: paid parking seasonally How to get there: From 22, head east on 344. Enter Taconic State Park. Just over half a … Continue reading Copake Iron Works
Bash Bish Falls
The waterfall is in MA but this trail starts in NY Location: Copake Falls Distance: 1.5 miles, option to add Iron Works Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers Elevation Gain: 300' Type of Hike: out-and-back Trail Condition: road, rocky Wow Factor: 60' waterfall Note: paid parking seasonally How to get there: From 22, head east … Continue reading Bash Bish Falls
Wonder Lake State Park
Location: Patterson Distance: 2 miles Skill Level: moderate Elevation Gain: 400' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: trail, rocky Wow Factor: nice workout How to get there: Take I84 to the exit for Ludingtonville/311 east. Turn left on Ludingtonville Road, follow it about 1.5 miles. Parking area is on the right. Address to get you … Continue reading Wonder Lake State Park
Half Pint Hikes in the Hudson Valley 