With summer right around the corner, we are always looking for things to do. Hiking is a well-known activity in the Hudson Valley. Here is a list of trails around the area from easiest to hardest along with pictures showing the views that will keep you going on your journey.
1. Winding Hills
Location: 2 Old Rte 17K Montgomery, NY 12549
Distance: 2 miles
Fee: Free
Winding Hills is a great hiking location for a quick two mile scenery of Montgomery. It’s a very easy trail that you can take a break at any time, let your pets swim in the water or just look into the distance.
2. Chadwick Lake
Location: 1702 NY-300 Newburgh, NY 12550
Distance: 4 miles
Fee: Resident Fee- $5 Non-Resident Fee- $10
Chadwick Lake is one of the incredible views in Newburgh. There isn’t as many hills on this trail making it not as difficult but the distance makes it worthwhile, especially for first time hikers, it’s a great place to start. Around every turn is a great view of the lake and looks different view in almost every turn.
3. Stewart Forest MTB
Location: Stewart State Forest Rock Tavern, NY 12575
Fee: Free
Distance: Each individual trail ranges from .5 miles to 4 miles, total of 22 miles.
The difficulty can range on this hike, some trails have a few hills and some are more flat. The typical trail is around 4 miles and some of the views remind people of Jurassic park.
4. Anthony’s Nose
Location: Anthony’s Nose Cortlandt Manor, NY 10524
Distance: 2.6 miles, up-and-back
Fee: Free
The difficulty goes up on this trail. It may seem like a short distance of a little less than three miles but as you climb hills and reach the top of the mountain, a real workout comes into effect. The views of the Hudson Valley are beautiful from the top.
5. Minnewaska
Location: 5281 Rte 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446
Distance: 6.4 miles, loop
Fee: $10 per car
The difficulty increases on this trail. You begin to hike up a mountain to see the wonderful views overlooking Lake Minnewaska.
6. Sam’s Point
Location: 400 Sam’s Point Road Cragsmoor, NY 12420
Distance: 8.2 mile loop
Fee: $10 per car
Sam’s Point includes hiking trails in the Ice Caves. The more you hike up and down and around the mountain you get to see parts of the trails at Minnewaska and other great views overlooking the Hudson Valley.
7. Mt. Beacon
Location: 788 Wolcott Ave Beacon, NY 12508
Distance: 2.4 miles up/back (overlook), 4.4 miles up/back (overlook + fire tower), 7.7-mile loop that hits the overlook, fire tower and several other points of interest
Fee: Free
No matter which trail you choose to hike, it is still very difficult. Most hikers choose to run this this hike to crank up the intensity. Once you reach the top it is worth it because you get to see the Hudson Valley from all angles. You can see the Hudson River, and both sides of it.
8. Lemon Squeeze
Location: 3197 State Route 55 New Paltz, NY 12561
Distance: 5.5 miles, loop
Fee: $20 per person
The difficulty to most hikers on this trail is about an eight out of ten. This trail requires you to climb up and down ladders while squeeze through rock caves.
9. Breakneck Ridge
Location: Breakneck Ride Trail Cold Spring, NY 10516
Distance: 3.7 miles, loop
Fee: Free
Breakneck Ridge is one of the hardest trails in the area. Most hikers consider this to be a ten out of ten on the difficulty scale. It requires serous rock climbing skills. A lot of hikers use this trail to train for Iron Man type of events.
