Hiking


Links:
Slackpacker
-
site is
designed to provide quick access to informative, trail-specific
hiking websites
- NYS Official Tourism site
ADK.Com
- NYS Official tourism site on the Adirondacks
region
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
-
federation of hiking and environmental organizations
and individuals dedicated to building and
maintaining marked hiking trails and protecting
related open space in the bi-state region. Includes
hike descriptions but a little difficult to navigate
Backpacking in the Catskills
- a description of some of the hikes in the Catskills
Adirondack Expeditions
- descriptions of some NY hikes and links
Jacques & Johanne
- list of NY's 47 highest peaks with brief hike descriptions and
photos
Devils Path & Burroughs Range
- some information about backpacking these long Catskills trails
- nice site with good descriptions of hikes in
Western NY and some other locations.
Waterfalls
- photos and trail descriptions to waterfalls in NY and other
northeastern states
Links to Sam's Point Preserve
Trip report
|
This site
is designed to provide you a concise organized description of some of best
hiking trails in New York State's Hudson Valley region. Also
included are links to other sites offering quality information on New York's
hiking trails.
|
Easy
Trails |
| Trail |
Description |
Directions |
Distance (roundtrip) |
|
Spruce Bog Trail |
The Spruce Bog Trail in Grafton Lakes State Park first
passes Mill Pond, then past old headstones in one of the park’s four
cemeteries. After some small hills, it leads to the top of the
plateau then though thick hardwood forests. Go left after an
intersection appears and take the short loop through thick hemlocks
and return along Mill Pond or go right through more hardwoods and
open wild blueberry fields. Once you reach Fire Tower Trail, you
will turn left and descend until you reach the NiMo Trail and then
return on the Mill Pond Trail to where you started. |
Mill Pond parking lot |
2.5 mi or 5.5 if you
continue if you return by Fire Tower Tr. |
|
Bash Bish Falls |
Bash Bish falls drops 80 feet forking around an up pointing rock
into an enclosed emerald colored pool. Although the trail
originates in NY, the actual falls lie just about on the NY and
Massachusetts border. In early summer, azalea and mountain laurel
bloom in the park. |
The Bash Bish Falls trailhead is on NY 344 in Taconic State Park |
1.5 |
|
Moderate Trails
|
| Trail |
Description |
Directions |
Distance (roundtrip) |
|
Pine Meadow Lake Loop |
The Pine Meadow Lake Loop trail is in Harriman State
Park originating east of the Visitors' Center. The trail takes
you through forest and spring blooms alongside a brook part of the
way. There are pretty views of the Pine Meadow Lake and it
takes you through Squirrel and Big Green Swamps. To hike the
loop. take the Pine Meadow Trail then the Tuxedo Mount Ivy Trail and
Seven Hills Trail. |
The trail head is at the Reeves Meadow Visitors' Center
on Seven Lakes Drive |
13 miles |
|
Difficult Trails
|
| Trail |
Description |
Directions |
Distance (roundtrip) |
|
Breakneck Ridge |
Breakneck Ridge is a tough trail that requires scrambling and some steep
ascents. Offers views of the Hudson River, Palisades Park some
Catskills peaks and the Shawangunks. During season,
wildflowers bloom nearby the trail. There are great views from the
ridge at the end of the trail but there also some impressive views
along the way, especially if you save the easier but longer bypass
trail for the return (marked by a white X). Despite its ugly
and very difficult beginning, this is perhaps the lower Hudson
regions best hike. |
From the town of Cold Spring, take Route 9D north. In
about two miles you will drive through an underpass. Park on the
roadside just north of the underpass |
5.7 miles |
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