The Outdoor Forum
New York State
Featured Hikes
This site is designed to provide you a concise organized description of some of New York State's best hiking trails, including hikes in the Adirondacks high peaks region, Catskills, Hudson Valley, Long Island and Thousand Island. Also included are links to other sites offering quality information on New York hiking trails.
There are many other trails in New York within its state parks which we summarized on the separate pages of this site.
Follow this link for a list of places to stay when visiting New York.
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For a PDF version click here |
| Adirondacks | Catskill Region | Hudson Valley | Long Island | Thousand Island |
Hudson Valley 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 |
| 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 |
Catskills Mountains Hiking Trails
| Easy Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Giant Ledge | This is a very popular hike that leads to a long ledge offering fantastic views of the Catskill peaks, including at different points Slide, Wittenberg, Big Indian, Hemlock and Eagle that are part of the Indian Head Wilderness Area and the Big Indian-Beaverkill Range Wilderness Area. You can camp on Giant Ledge. | Giant Ledge Parking area on Ulster 47 reached by NY 28 Start on the Phoenicia-East Branch tr. (yellow) to the Giant Ledge trail. | 3 mi |
| Kaaterskill Fall | This popular hike goes to the base of beautiful Kaaterskill Falls, a 260 foot, two tiered falls dropping 175 feet then 85 feet. It is the largest falls in NY and deserves the crowd it gets. You can continue to the pool after the first segment of the falls and then to the top. The trail is rocky (with sections of steps) and wet in spots so it can be slippery. | The trailhead is on Rt. 23A at the hairpin turn, approx. 3.5 miles west of Palenville. | .8 mi |
| Moderate Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Lake Minnewaska/Lake Awosting | There are several hikes in the Lake Minnewaska State Park Preserve (845-255-0752) that offer views of its white cliffs, blue waters, wildflowers and dense forests. The trails are mostly carriageways The most varied and scenic is the loop that leaves Lake Minnewaska and circles Lake Awosting. From the parking area, start on the red blazed trail a short distance then take the green blazed Upper Awosting Carriageway. A short side trip on the Long Path takes you to Rainbow Falls. Shortly you will reach Lake Awosting. If you want to continue around the lake, it has fields of wildflowers and azaleas in season, ledge views and duck and geese. It eventually leads right up to the blue blazed carriageway that will take you back. You can stop at the head of the lake and then take an unnamed path that leads to a blue blazed trail toward Hamilton and Castle Point, sweeping views of the Hudson Valley, Shawangunks, Gertrude's Nose formation and Lake Awosting. There are similar ledge views along the trail until it takes you back to the red blazed trail at Lake Minnewaska. You can swim in either lake at its beaches. Spring runoff also adds several unofficial waterfalls along the ledges of the trails. | Lake Minnewaska State Park is on US 44/NY55 reached from NY 299 that goes through the town of New Paltz | 10 mi if you go around Lake Awosting around lake, 7.5 if you do not. |
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Mohonk Preserve
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There are several trails in the Mohonk Preserve http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/ preserve, including the 1.5 mile Millbrook Ridge that leads to a panoramic view of the valley and of hawks and Bonticou Crag (3 miles) that also has valley views | Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz New York | Vary |
| Sams Point Preserve | There are several trails here as well and information on all of them can be obtained at the preserve. Make sure you take the Vanderkill Falls Long Path that is 6 miles and passes waterfalls and cliffs that include Gertrude's Nose and Margaret Cliff. Also take the trail to the Ice Caves, 3 miles | In New Paltz New York | Vary |
| Ashokan High Point Trail | From Ashokan's summit there are great views of the Hudson Highlands, Ashokan Reservoir and some of the Catskills' high peaks in the Slide Mountain Wilderness area as you move around the summit. This trail is difficult to follow at times if you follow the loop (poor markings after the summit and the trail is not well defined) but the views are worth it. We ended up backtracking the way we came. | The trailhead is on Watson Hollow Rd. (CR 42) reached from NY 28A | 7.2 mi |
| Slide Mountain | The trail to the summit of Slide Mountain is one of the Catskill's most popular hikes. The most scenic route up Slide Mtn. (4180 feet) is by the Curtis Ormsbee trail. Start on the Phoenicia-East Branch tr. (yellow) to the Wittenberg-Cornell tr. (red) to the Curtis Ormsby tr. (blue). You can return by the Wittenberg-Cornell tr. to complete a loop. The views on Slide are considered the Catskill's best. You can see at least seventy peaks (including Twin, Overlook, Indian Head and Cornell and Friday bordering the Ashokan Reservoir), part of the Hudson Valley, and distant views of the Shawangunks, Berkshires and Taconics. The Curtis Ormsbee trail also includes outcroppings that offer good vistas. This area is being closely monitored for deterioration because of the impact all the hiking has taken. Please try to minimize your affect on this area. There is a small fee for parking. | Slide Mtn. trailhead on Ulster 47 reached by NY 28 | 7 mi. 1,800 ft. elev. change |
| Blackhead Mountain via Blackhead Mtn. Trail | The best views from Blackhead Mountain (3950 ft.) are from an overlook just before you reach the top and from the top of Black Dome (3990 ft) along the way. You must first pass over Thomas Cole Mtn. where there are no views. The views include some of the Catskills' high peaks, including Hunter, West Kill, Slide, Wittenberg, Cornell, Sugarloaf, Indianhead, Overlook and many others. Take the Black Dome Range Trail 4 miles, then the Blackhead Mtn. Trail .4 mi. to the lookout then .2 mi. to the summit. You can connect with the Batavia Kill Trail to make a loop. The trail is steep in places and very rocky. | The trailhead is on Big Hollow Rd (CR56) reached from CR 40 in Maplecrest, NY. | 4.4 mi. |
| Panther Mountain | The trail to Panther Mountain is the same that leads to Giant Ledge (above) then continues up the Giant Ledge-Panther Fox Hollow trail to Panther's summit. The views on the summit of Panther at 3,860 feet include those on Giant Ledge plus some additional peaks north and the town of Phoenicia. | Giant Ledge Parking area on Ulster 47 reached by NY 28 Start on the Phoenicia-East Branch tr. (yellow) to the Giant Ledge trail. | 5 mi. |
| Overlook Mountain Trail | This is a relatively easy hike (climbs 1,300 ft.) considering its outstanding views of the Catskills peaks. The views from the summit are some of the best in the Catskills. From the summit there are panoramic mountain views almost as far as you can see, including the Indian Head Wilderness (including Indian Plattekill, Sugarloaf, & Kaaterskill Mountains), the Shawangunks, the Black Mountains, Taconics, Berkshires, the Hudson Highlands & Ashokan Reservoir. There is a fire tower at the summit that is open on summer weekends that provides better views. Also, the remains of the Overlook Mountain House, a lodge originally built in 1871 that burned twice and finally closed before the depression are at the summit. | From Woodstock, NY, take Tinker Road north onto Rock City Road | 5 mi. |
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Becker Hollow Trail to Hunter Mtn. Summit | Becker Hollow Trail climbs 2200 feet to Hunter's summit (4,050 feet). It is probably the quickest, steepest route to the summit but it offers the best views. About a quarter mile before reaching the summit, you come to a side trail you will take for 300 feet that leads to an overlook. The side trail is just after you come to the end of the Becker Hollow trail and take the Hunter Mtn. Trail. You get a great view of the Shawangunks, and Rocky, Lone, Wittenberg, Cornell, Table, Peekamouse, Slide and Panther mountains. The view from Hunter's summit is even better and includes views of Rusk, Evergreen and Colonel's Chair mountains and of Kaaterskill Falls. | Trailhead is on NY 214, 1.2 miles south of its intersection with NY 23A | 4.6 mi |
| Devil's Path | Devil's Path in total is over 24 miles and is viewed by many as the best backpacking trip in the Catskills. It is a very strenuous trail summiting several peaks (Indian Head-3573 ft., Plattekill-3110 ft, Sugarloaf-3810 ft, Twin-3650 ft and Plateau-3840 ft.) with steep descents through dense forest and over sometimes rugged terrain. I have only taken day trips to a few summits and each was peaceful and provided views from the summits and at various ledges. A good place to turn around for a day hike is the summit of Indian Head (8.4 mi, round trip). There are southerly views of Ashokan Reservoir and Overlook and Plattekill Mountains. You also get distant views of the Catskills high peaks. | The trailhead is on Prediger Rd. In Tannersville, NY go south on CR 16 from NY 23A. (CR 16 turns into Platte Clove Rd.) After 5.7 miles on CR 16, make a right on Prediger Rd. You will begin seeing trail signs | 24 mi. one way. Ends at Spruceton Rd. where you should arrange a shuttle |
| Twin Mountain via Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail | After .5 miles on the Devil's Path, make a right on the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail. In about 1.5 miles it will reconnect with Devil's Path. Go right then after a mile you will reach the summit of Twin Peak. Just below the summit on a small ledge there are good views of Hunter, Peekamoose, Table Mountains and other northern peaks. | The trailhead is on Prediger Rd. In Tannersville, NY go south on CR 16 from NY 23A. (CR 16 turns into Platte Clove Rd.) After 5.7 miles on CR 16, make a right on Prediger Rd. You will begin seeing trail signs | 6.2 mi |
| Pecoy Notch Trail to Sugarloaf Mountain | You reach this trail after a quarter mile on Roaring Kill trail. You will reach Pecoy Notch in 1.7 mile as you go through hardwood forests with occasional views of the Catskill's peaks. Another 1.3 miles on Devils Path takes you to Sugarloaf's summit. A lookout gives views of Giant Ledge, the Ashokan Reservoir, Shawangunks and Hudson Highlands | The trail starts at the Roaring Kill Trailhead on Elka Park Road reached by CR 16, 3 miles from Tannersville and NY 23A. | 6.5 mi. |
| Seager-Big Indian Trail to Eagle and Big Indian Mtns. | This trail leads to an intersection with the Pine Hill-West Branch Trail at 3.1 miles. Go north 1.1 miles to Eagle Mountain (3,610 feet) or south 1.3 miles to Big Indian Mountain (3,710 feet) | The trailhead is 9.7 miles north of Arkville at the end CR 49 |
Eagle Mtn - 8.4 mi. Big Indian Mtn - 8.8 mi. |
| Easy Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Point Au Roche State Park | There is a network of easy trails leaving the nature center that has a map that includes the hiking trails. Most trails lead to views of Lake Champlain and some along its shoreline | Located off Route 9, 6 miles north of Plattsburg | Varied |
| Blue Ledge on the Hudson | This hike takes you to the shore of the Hudson River. It leads to a turbulent section under the Blue ledges. The trail has wildflowers in spring. | From North Creek, take NY 28 north for 9.4 miles, then left on North Woods Country Rd. for just under 7 miles. | 5 mi |
| Mount Baker | From the 2,452 foot summit, there are views of the Saranac Lakes and the High Peaks but you have to walk around the summit to clearings. | From downtown Saranac Lake, go to Main Street then turn right on Dugway. At the end of Dugway take the first left on to Forest Hill Ave. Go to Moody Pond where the trailhead. Park across from the trailhead alongside the pond. | 2 miles |
| Peaked Mountain Trail | The trail to the pond at 2.5 miles is easy and leads through pretty forest. If you continue to the summit of Peaked Mountain, at 2,919 feet, the last third of a mile is rough climbing 600 feet. The views from the summit include Peaked Mountain Pond and Big and Little Thirteenth Lakes. There are also distant views of the Adirondack High Peaks and Vermont's Green Mountains. | By North River on NY 28, south on Thirteenth Lake Road for Siamese Ponds Wilderness/Thirteenth Lake. After 3 miles, make a right on a beach road that enters the wilderness area. The trailhead is .5 mile. | 6 miles |
| Red Dot Trail | Passes glacial ponds, and an old canal that connects two ponds to the larger Osgood pond. Views overlooking Osgood Pond | From NY 30, take NY 86 a short distance | 2.5 miles |
| Mount Arab | Views of surrounding lakes from a restored 1918 fire tower. Also some distant views of the high peaks and Raquette River Valley. Good hike with children. | From Tupper Lake, 3 miles west on Rt 3, left on Conifer Road, a few miles to the trailhead | 2 miles |
| Murphy Lake Trail | We took the trail in fall and the forest of maple, birch, aspen oak and ash was incredible. Murphy Lake Trail leads past a deserted mining area where you still can see some signs to Bennett, Middle and Murphy Lakes | From NY 30 them east on Creek Road. The trailhead is 2.2 miles. | 10 miles |
| Moderate Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Azure Mountain | Good views from a huge ledge on the summit or from the refurbished firetower. This is a good spot to view ravens and the distant High Peaks. | Located off the Blue Mountain Rd., take NYS Rte. 458 to the Blue Mountain Rd. and travel approximately 6 miles to the trailhead. | 2.1 |
| Good Luck Cliffs | The trail climbs through a small gorge circling behind 500+ foot cliffs that lead to an overlook of the Adirondack foothills. | The trailhead is on NY10 300 feet past a bridge over the Sacandaga River 6 miles north of the intersection with NY 29A | |
| Bald Mountain | This trail and the peak of Bald Mountain have great views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Also from the peak, where there is a fire tower, are views of Mounts Marcy and Colden 56 miles away. This trail can be combined with the Vista Trail. | Trailhead is off Rondaxe Road, just off the intersection with NY 28, 4.5 mi. east of Old Forge. | 2 mi, 400 ft.elev. change. |
| Santanoni Preserve | Santanoni Preserve was once a private estate that is now a wilderness retreat. The hike to Newcomb lake is quiet and except for the distance is easy with only a 200 foot gain in elevation, The lake is remote and surrounded by mountains. You can arrange to to have your canoe transported by horse to the lake (see link at left) or just enjoy the hike and swimming in the lake. The trail is an old road so it is broad and is also used by cyclists. | The entrance to the preserve is in Newcomb | 10 mi. |
| Haystack Mountain | The view from the top of Haystack Mountain (4,961 feet) includes the High Peaks, Saranac Lake and several other lakes. | From Saranac Lake, take NY 86 East to Ray Brook, proceed 1.6 miles past NY State DEC Headquarters to parking area on left. Follow blue DEC trail markers. | 6.3 miles |
| Goodnow Mountain |
Goodnow Mountain is 2,685 feet tall but at its summit is a 60-foot fire tower that has good Adirondacks views that include the High Peaks. The trail is steep rising 1,025 feet but short. A map by the fire tower helps identify the mountains. The north view is through Indian Pass and includes the Wallface and MacIntyre Mountains. Mounts Marcy, Adams and Haystack are also visible. For the effort, this is probably one of the best views of the Adirondacks. |
The trailhead is on NY 28N, 1.5 miles west of the Newcomb Visitors' Center | 3.5 mi. |
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Van Hoevenberg Trail to Mt. Marcy | Mount Marcy, at 5,344 feet, is the highest point in NYS. The Van Hoevenberg Trail is difficult rising 3,200 feet but is the shortest trip to the summit. There are lean-tos so you can make it an overnight trip. After 2.1 miles you reach Marcy Dam where there are good views of Mounts Colden and Algonquin around the lake formed by the wooden dam just above Indian Falls. As you reach the spot above Indian Falls at 4.5 miles there are more impressive views of the MacIntyre Range with Algonquin in the center. The final three quarters of a mile were difficult with rock scrambling. You have to use your hands. The summit views are incredible with the McIntyre Range, Green Mountains and Lake Champlain all visible. This is an 8-10 hour day hike and has some very difficult stretches. | The trailhead is opposite the High Peaks Visitor Information Center on Adirondack Loj Road reached by going east on NY 73 from Lake Placid Village. | 14 mi |
| Algonquin Mountain | Although this lacks the prestige of making it to Mount Marcy, the trail to the summit of Algonquin Peak and the view from the top, at 5,114 feet, are better and the trail is probably the most challenging in the Adirondacks, if not New York. Looking east and south from Algonquin's summit you can see Colden, Marcy, Grey, Skylight and Giant mountains. North views include mounts Cascade and Porter and the Sentinel Range. The last mile of the hike is tough climbing 910 feet mush of which is on a rockslide that must climb at 45° followed by tough scrambles. There are also a few false summits but cairns and arrows painted on the rock will continue leading the way. | The trailhead is opposite the High Peaks Visitors' Center at the end of Adirondack Loj Road reached by going east on NY 73 from Lake Placid Village. | 8 miles |
| Pitchoff Mountain | This hike begins with views of Cascade Lakes and the Cascade Range and then southern views of the Adirondacks High Peaks (good views of Algonquin, Colden and Marcy) and Whiteface Mt. and the Sentinel Range to the north. The Pitchoff Mountain summit at 3,497 feet is actually several small summits connected by the trail with ledges on each side. There are several steep pitches, particularly on the last summit after which you begin a steep rocky descent. There are distant views if clear of Vermont's Green Mountains. Mid-summer, there are blueberries along the trail. This was one of my favorite hikes in the Adirondacks, it provided so many unobstructed views as you came out of forest then hit the summit that the 1450 foot rise was easy. There are rock scrambles involved and it can be slippery on the sections that are bare rock if it is wet. |
The trail starts on NY 73 and ends also on
NY 73 2.5 miles away so you will need a second car unless you
backtrack. The west trailhead is 4.4 miles east of Heart Lake
Rd. and .5 mi. west of Upper Cascade Lake. The east trailhead is 4 miles west of Keene. |
5.1 mi. one way. It is about 4 miles to the final summit and if you have only one car, its probably the best spot to turn around. |
| Ampersand Mountain | Views from the top include the Saranac Lakes, Tupper Lake, Long Lake, and the High Peaks. This would not be rated a difficult trail except that there was significant erosion when we went and it required the use of hands and toes up muddy "walls" of about three feet. | From Saranac Lake, take NY Route 3 West about 8 miles to parking area on right and cross the highway | 5.4 miles |
| Tongue Mountain | This trail first climbs the Tongue Mountain Range then continues along its ridge. The views of Lake George are great most of the entire trail as most of the ridge is treeless. If you take this hike in the spring (late-April through May) there in an amazing variety of wildflowers. The views from the top of French Point 4.4 miles into the loop are the best of the trip. The total elevation change is 3,000. As you start on the trail, you will see a pretty waterfall and at .3 mile, you reach an intersection with the return trail on your right, stay straight on the red blazed trail. | The trailhead is NY 9n, 4 miles north of its intersection with County Road 11. The trailhead is by an old quarry. | 12.4 mi loop |
| Ridge Trail to Giant Mountain | This strenuous trail rises 3,000 feet to Giant Mountain's exposed summit, 4,627 feet it is the Adirondack's twelfth highest peak. There are views of the mountains near Lake George, the Champlain Valley and the Adirondack high peaks. The views start right from the trailhead with the ledges surrounding Chapel Pond. You can take a refreshing swim on the pond's beach and watch peregrine falcons that live in the ledges. Further along you have views of Giant's Washbowl, a small scenic pond on the mountainside. The hike provides mountain views along most of the route. | Chapel Pond and the trailhead are on NY 73, North of I-87 (exit 30). | 12 miles |
| Blue Mountain | We found this hike when we stopped at the Adirondack Museum. It climbs 1,750 feet in 2 miles to the top of Blue Mountain where there are views of Adirondack lakes and ponds that stretch into the distance. Across from Tirrell Pond in the west is the Tirrell Mountains and many of the high peaks of the Adirondacks can be seen beyond that; there is a nicely situated picnic table with the view making a great lunch spot. The west view from the summit is Blue Mountain Lake and the Eckford Chain There is a fire tower at the summit (3,759 ft) and I understand a ranger is usually there. The view from the tower is even better providing a 360° view. | The trailhead is .1 mi. north of the Adirondack Museum which is a little over a mile from the intersection of NY 28N and NY 30 | 4 mi |
| Snowy Mountain | Snowy Mountain is the highest peak in the southern Adirondacks at 3,899 feet. You can not enjoy Snowy's views from its broad summit but you can walk through the scrub at the peak for outstanding views of Indian Lake, the distant High Peaks and unbroken wilderness. The trail is easy until the last mile when it climbs a steep pitch. The last .5 mile is very steep and worn and you may have to use your hands for some balance. The total elevation change is 2,100 feet. | The signed trailhead is on NY 30, 17 miles north of Speculator and 7 miles south of Indian Village. | 7.8 mi. |
| Crane Mountain | Crane Mountain is an isolated mountain offering clear distant views of Vermont's Green Mountains, Lake George, Blue, Speculator, Snowy and several other mountains. There are also distant views of the Adirondack High Peaks. A mile from the summit is Crane Mountain Pond where you can take a clean, cold swim. The first 1.5 mile of this trail are easy then it climbs 700 feet in .5 mile. To reach the peak, you will have to climb 6 foot and 15 foot ladders. | From NY 8 take South Johnsburg Rd. to Garnet Lake Rd. From there follow the signs to Crane Mtn. | 4.9 mi. loop |
| Easy Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
| Seal Haulout Trail - Montauk Point State Park |
The Seal Haulout Tr. winds its way to Rocky Point. In late winter and spring, the harbor seals sun themselves on the shoreline east of Oyster Pond. A viewing blind at Rocky Point (or Stepping Stones) is accessed from the Seal Haulout Trail. |
Montauk State Parkway west of Camp Hero State Park |
Approx .75 mi. |
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Ogdens Brook Trail - Montauk Point State Park |
The Ogdens Brook Trail, a segment of the Paumanok Path, passes a brook that twists and tumbles over rocks and tree roots on its way through woods and a marsh before it flows into Oyster Pond. |
Montauk State Parkway west of Camp Hero State Park |
Aprox. 1.25 mi. |
| Easy Trails | |||
| Trail | Description | Directions | Distance (roundtrip) |
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Stone Valley Trail
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Stone Valley Trail is a great trail if you are looking to see wildlife. It is a pleasant hike passing the Raquette River. There are beaver dams wildflowers, frogs, hummingbirds, grouse, beavers, and deer along the way. | At the intersection of NY 56 and NY 68, go North On NY 56 for 3.6 miles and turn right onto Browns Bridge Road. Go .5 mile and turn right to find the trailhead parking lot. | 7.8 mi |
| Wellesley Island State Park | It is easy and offers great views of Saint Lawrence River and several vistas. There are also glacial potholes and colorful wildflowers. We found it very nice to leave around 11 a.m. and bring lunch to eat while looking out over the river. | Take exit 51off of Interstate 81. Turn right in .1 mil., again onto Jefferson County 100, and again onto Cross Island Road. Follow the signs to the nature center. | 4.4 mi. round trip |
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Chaumont Barrens Preserve
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Fossils and coral decorate the sides of the path. Juniper, shrub and wildflowers dot the mostly clear grassland that the trail Look out for fox, deer, snakes, hawk, warbler, and toad. It makes for a pleasant family hike. | Take exit 47 off of I 81 at Watertown. Follow NY 12 F West for mi. and make a right onto NY12E until Chaumont. Take a right onto Jefferson County 125 and turn left onto Van Alstyne Rd. just past the cemetery on the right. | 2 mi. Loop |
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Inman Gulf Hiking and Nature Trails
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Inman Gulf Hiking and Nature Trails is one hike from three different rim trails lining up to make one scenic rim trail overlooking Inman Gulf. Beginning the trail, you pass several still black pools and an impressive 250 ft. deep chasm and Cascade Falls pouring into the Gulf. An open shale cliff up ahead lends great views of the twisting Gulf. You can take the Joe's Ridge side trail to the left to a mineral pool where deer are commonly found and a close up view of the Gulf, or continue on the main path over more overlooking ridges. Eventually you pass Rainbow Falls. then you can continue to a different parking lot than the one you started from or turn around back to where you came from. |
From the intersection of NY 177and US Highway 11, go East on NY 177 for about six miles and turn onto Lowe Road. After about 1 miles, bear left and turn right onto Williams Road. Several parking lots are up ahead.
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11 mi. |
| Letchworth State Park | |||
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Gorge Trail moderate |
The Gorge Trail is the most popular and the most scenic. It begin just below the Erie High Bridge at the southern end of the park. The trail follows the gorge rim past the Upper and Middle Falls, Inspiration Point overlook, around the Great Bend, over Wolf Creek ending at the river flats near St. Helena. Spectacular vistas, up close encounters with the falls and the stone walls and stairs built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. | In the park | 7 miles |
Slackpacker - site is designed to provide quick access to informative, trail-specific hiking websites
NYHiking.com - a site focused on hikes in New York State
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Backpacking in the Catskills - a description of some of the hikes in the Catskills
NewcombNY.com - includes information and pictures of attractions & activities in Newcomb, NY including the Santanoni Preserve, Goodnow Mountain and hikes in the High Peaks region.
Lake George.com - attractions, lodging and activities in Lake George, including nearby hiking.
State Park Hiking information (Northern NY) - PDF file describing hikes in northern, NY including the Adirondack Park, Thousand Islands, Saratoga-Capital District
NY State Park Hiking Information (Southern NY) - PDF file describing hikes in southern NY including Long Island, New York City, Taconic and Palisades, and the Catskill Park.
NY State Park Hiking Information (Central NY) - PDF file describing hikes in Central, NY including Central and Finger Lakes State Park Regions
NY State Park Hiking Information (Western NY) - PDF file describing hikes in Western NY including Allegany, Niagara Frontier, and Genesee Regions
I Love NY - 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
Hiking Trails in Western NY - 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
Harriman Hikers - a North NJ Singles Hiking Club. Established 1974 we are one of the area's oldest singles organizations.
Swimming holes in Jay New York
Links to Sam's Point Preserve