Tired of waiting for warmer weather to go hiking? Plenty of local spots offer amazing sights that are perfect for winter hikes, regardless of the weather. Here are some great recommended trails for novices looking for serious Hudson Valley views.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Arden Point and Glenclyffe
Garrison
View this post on Instagram
A woody road leads to a blue-blazed trail that takes you to Arden Point, the first of several fantastic vistas you’ll get on this easy four-mile hike. At an intersection with a red-blazed trail, follow the red blazes to a gazebo, more great views, and a road used by noted Revolutionary-era figure Benedict Arnold to escape capture after being revealed as a traitor.
Sterling Forest State Park
Townsend Trail and Long Meadow Extension
Tuxedo
View this post on Instagram
Take the green-on-orange Townsend Trail to the white-on-green Long Meadow Extension Trail, which is also a skiing trail. The prime vista here is an overlook of southeast Orange County that should be sweeping with bare trees.
Mohonk Preserve
Undercliff/Overcliff Carriage Roads
New Paltz
View this post on Instagram
The carriage roads are open to non-skiers during winter, but when the snow is down you’ll want snowshoes on this relatively easy five-mile hike. You’ll follow Undercliff to Overcliff roads here, passing viewpoints of the Wallkill River Valley and the Trapps Ridge along the way.
Catskills
Giant Ledge
Big Indian
View this post on Instagram
In the Catskills, try the hike to Giant Ledge, which is a 3.2-mile up-and-back hike during which you ascend 1,090 feet. Take yellow blazes to blue blazes in this moderate-to-challenging hike that goes up quickly. For the Catskills, it’s an easier hike, and makes for great views in the bare winter.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Carriage Roads
Kerhonkson
View this post on Instagram
Finally, the carriage roads at Minnewaska State Park Preserve are a good option for snowshoeing, especially if you’ve walked them before. It’s always a good idea, if there’s snow on the ground, to start with a trail already familiar to you. Also, some trails — more often in state-owned land — will only be open for skiing, so before heading out, call to ensure you can hike safely.
Related: An Insider’s Guide to January Events in the Hudson Valley
