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Dover Stone Church / Adobe Stock | Photo by BoddiPhotos
Trek your way along a new-to-you trail, up scenic waterfalls, inside natural caves, and around the region’s outdoor wonders.
Without a doubt, one of the best parts of life in the Hudson Valley is the chance to embark on supremely beautiful hikes in all four seasons of the year. Whether it’s the peak of springtime or the final few weeks of fall, a great hike in the region is only ever a short drive away. While we love a good beginner hike as much as the next Hudson Valleyite, we’re all about this list of the 10 most underrated adventures in the Hudson Valley. Check out the list to plan your next trip.
Joppenbergh Mountain – Get ready to warm up with a stroll along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, then explore the caves along the way before crossing over the Rosendale Trestle. From there, hikers can walk or park in town and trek to the top of Joppenbergh Mountain, where views of the trestle are breathtaking.
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Dover Stone Church – While the Dover Stone Church cave trail is undoubtedly the most popular here, the red, yellow, and blue trails are all longer options that run a mile or more and deserve a visit. Plus, the local scenes in Dutchess County are worth the extra trek time.
Sam’s Point Preserve – Sam’s Point is a great hike on its own, thanks largely to the incredible lookout point, but hikers should remember that it’s part of the much, much larger Minnewaska State Park Preserve. After making it to Sam’s Point, take a break at Lake Maratanza or journey on to the longer High Point Carriage Trail. Just make sure to check ahead of time to confirm which areas of Minnewaska are open to the public.
Little Stony Point – With panoramic views, a beachy setting, and a prime lookout on a cliff, Little Stony Point is hard to beat as far as hikes in the Hudson Valley go. Head out in the late afternoon for a spectacular sunset show in the region.
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Bonticou Crag – Don’t let the trek that is Bonticou Crag deter you from hiking it! We promise it gets easier toward the top, and we highly advise following the trail markers closely to get you there. At the top, Pinterest-worthy views of the Hudson Valley await.
Mount Beacon – We know, we know…Mount Beacon is not underrated when it comes to hikes in the Hudson Valley. The underrated part comes from some of the longer trails on the mountain, ones that take the long road to the fire tower and offer views galore along the way.
Bear Hill Nature Preserve – Nature preserves in the Hudson Valley might not be the first places that come to mind when thinking about hiking, but they’re gems for local walks with beautiful scenery. At Bear Hill Nature Preserve, the lookout at the top of the rocks is more than worthy of a photo or two.
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Kaaterskill Falls – Another popular hiking destination in the Hudson Valley, the Kaaterskill Falls area boasts a number of less-frequented trails that are beautiful in their own right. Plus, because the falls are sometimes closed to the public on popular hiking weekends, nearby trails are an excellent option for anyone who wants to plan a trek in the region.
Black Creek Preserve – Coming in at two miles, the Black Creek Preserve trail takes visitors through a forest in the Town of Esopus. It’s right near the Hudson River, so it’s an excellent pick for anyone who adores waterside views.
Mount Overlook – With awe-inspiring vistas and a fire tower to boot, what’s not to love about Mount Overlook? Pack water and slip on the good hiking shoes before tackling this trail.