Such a special spot to hike with your dog and family. Open fields, expanses of green and meadows…read moreand ponds, all set behind the homes of multimillionaires. It feels like a never-ending sprawl of beauty, where any time of day, any season, is sensational. The best hike in Westchester. 5 stars!!!!

Grassy preserve that is blocked via shallow stone walls into square lots. Peaceful. Pups love it…read more Different from other preserves in the area. No muddy terrain, which is great for me post-hike cleanups.

This is a 6.8 mile (10.9 kilometers) moderately challenging hike (1,007 feet elevation gain) at…read moreMinnewaska State Park Preserve. Highlights of the trail are Sam's point, Ice cave and lastly Verkeerderkill falls. At Sam's point there are dramatic overlooks and spectacular cliff views, A photographer's paradise. Ice cave was amazing, we had to go through some crevices, my headlamp was very useful at those dark areas and footpath, I noticed remnants of ice inside even at the start of summer (that's when I did the hike), did a little rock scrambling outside the cave, there was an extraordinary ridge overlook at the end of the cave and a fantastic view from a large rock outcrop. The most challenging and strenuous part was the hike from the Ice cave to Verkeerderkill Falls - rocky, narrow, lengthy, uneven, wet, slippery, stream-like path, trekking poles and waterproof hiking boots was a big help to endure the trail. Verkeerderkill falls is a spectacle to see, there are a few ridges, escarpment, and ledge spots (somewhat perilous as all were near the drop-off) to rest and view the falls (I found a good spot facing the falls while hydrating, snacking and replenishing my energy). A solid day's workout, this is everything I could ask for from a great recreational, adventurous, stimulating hike with mother nature.

Very interesting and fun hike. Me and my friends hiked for 5 hours total. We've visited the ice…read morecaves and the waterfalls . Didn't make it to the lake because it started to thunderstorm. The hike to the waterfall is long so pack a lot of water. Also if it didn't rain before , the waterfall will be very light. In general it's a perfect place to connect with nature and cool down inside the ice caves. P.s. you still can see big chunks of ice deep down in the caves.

Advice: arrive early for a parking spot. Sometimes the parking lot is full because there is a…read morehiking group, other times it's individuals or families. This is a great short hike about 45 mins per the park ranger but without stopping you probably can finish around 30-40 minutes just strolling. You can climb up the hill for a better view though the climb down is a bit steep and rocky, not recommended for toddlers. There is also a beach that is full of tree trunks for a nice break. Go breathe the fresh air and get away from the city.

This is the perfect spot to unwind after conquering one of the bigger hikes nearby like Bull Hill…read morejust across the street or Breakneck Ridge about a mile up Route 9D. I'd been to the beach a few times before I realized one of the trails climbs up the small cliffs, offering a stunning vantage point overlooking the river. Wish I'd known about that hidden gem before. On a summer evening with a glowing sunset, it's a prime spot to snap some memorable photos. So, make your way to Little Stony Point an ideal way to cap off a day of hiking around Cold Spring. Even if you're wiped from your earlier trek, I promise you'll make it there. This place is fantastic. Split by Route 9D, it offers two distinct experiences: on one side, a Hudson River beach where people swim and relax; on the other, a hiking trail that winds through the intriguing ruins of an old estate. This was easily one of the most captivating spots we explored.

It has been decades since I was last here. Used to go backpacking with a friend. We'd bushwhack…read morethrough the woods until we found a suitable spot, set up the tent and wander around. Nowadays, all of us would rather rough it at a Hilton ;) The forest is still there, but some of the trails are blocked off. There must be a reason. It brought back happy memories, cooking on a tiny Coleman stove, using an actual compass to navigate, sometimes waking up with snow outside, always some little adventure. It's a lot more civilized now.

What an incredible park !!! We love the hiking and hunting opportunities here…read more Gorgeous terrain

This is an oasis right in the heart of Carmel, NY. It is about a two hour hike if you're willing to…read morewalk the entire trail. The pond is beautiful and there are picnic tables so bring some lunch. The trail can be very muddy so make sure a week of rain-free weather has elapsed. There are some very steep slopes so avoid icy trails. Parking at the entrance is good for about six cars at most. You might have to park at the high school if the parking area is full. It rarely is though, which means you are likely to be one of few enjoying this wonderful nature preserve. Read about the history of the preserve before you go. It was once a horse racing site and look for the massive stone blocks that held up what was once a railroad bridge. In the winter, with the leaves fallen, you can see the new Putnam County courthouse in the distance, and unfortunately, hear the Route 52 traffic too. You won't be disappointed though. This is worth the the trip.

Lots of lush land, prime for hiking, hanging, picture taking, and overall enjoying nature! You do…read morehave to pay a fee to enter from may thru Sept BUT you can walk in for free! The pals and I went early summer to collect wild berries and they were plentiful! Lots to do for every nature lover whether avid or beginner. Take in the history and find something new and majestic here!

Not the prettiest this time of year with barren trees and wet muddy swap areas. Off-trailing is…read morehighly unrecommended. Follow the trails and do some research beforehand, maybe even use a hiking app. The basic trail was probably easier than the weird way we tackled the mountain. Definitely start the trail where it's marked on Google Maps. Real muddy after the rain from yesterday and got real messy. Thorny plants too. And many bugs buzzing around your head (no mosquitoes yet despite the swampy wetness). Can take the Metro North to Peekskill and walk up a steep hill to the reservation. 1) follow the trails 2) bring bug spray 3) check out the weather and the season 4) don't get lost

Love love love love You don't even have to climb anything…read morelol The walk is paved so that's great Lots of old people and people with very new children!! lol It's easy It's beautiful Bring a ball Bring a kite Bring burgers they have tables and grills Bri g blankets Not crowded Bathroom was not open

This place is so beautiful. It's a short hike around the falls but if you take a right can go on…read morefor a long time I'm not sure how long because I have never went that full way. On the way up there are stairs and lookouts over the falls. They were recently redone and looks so nice. I love going here. Right now the bathrooms are locked so if you go have a picnic at the tables below you might have to leave to find a bathroom about 8 mins up the road in a store or restaurant. I think the bathrooms open on memorial day but I'm not sure. There are picnic tables in the grassy area and benches along the right side of the falls.

I really enjoy hiking this location, especially in the winter. There is a train trestle that…read morecollects giant icicles. That's really cool to look at. We did the Pinney Loop which is just under 4 miles. The trail was obviously covered in snow as we had hiked January 1.

What goes great with a hike is coming with a group of friends and/or family, and Steep Rock…read morePreserve brings it all. It's worth the trip from surrounding areas for a weekend get-together or definitely the holidays. Free parking is provided with plenty of spaces to park. The trail map is provided at the beginning of the hike, or looking online and printing it out. Very useful to have on the whole journey. The main hiking trail is a gravel trail that parallels the Shepaug River from the parking lot, where cars pass through and also horses, which I found quite interesting. There are also dirt trails along the way with different colors (see map or online). Some highlights of coming here are checking out the old train tunnel, a bridge that crosses the river (which is wobbly, so be careful), and Steep Rock Summit, which can be tiring but well worth the climb with a decent view of the Clamshell section of the Shepaug River Valley. Bring snacks and a lot of fluids, it's needed according to the big map.