Sad that summer is over and you won’t have the beach as an excuse to get out of the city for the day? Fear not: Fall is just as beautiful a time to rent a car, hop on a train, or catch a ferry out of town to enjoy the crisp air, mild temperatures, and stunning fall foliage. To help you plan your autumnal itinerary, we consulted the experts at AllTrails to compile a list of the best hikes near NYC for leaf peeping.
This 2,000+ acre nature reserve was originally home to the Lenape people. Its current design was completed in the early 1900s by the stepson of Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind Central Park and Prospect Park, according to the Essex County Parks Department.
South Mountain Reservation has 25 hiking trails ranging in difficulty, but for the best fall foliage views, AllTrails recommends the roughly six-mile Hemlock Falls Trail via Lenape, Rahway, and River Trails.
“This rocky trail leads to a waterfall view with colorful foliage vistas along the ridge,” they say, noting that since it’s a popular route, parking may be limited.
If you’re bringing the kids along, the park’s South Mountain Recreation Complex is home to the Turtle Back Zoo. For lunch, McLoone’s Boathouse offers outdoor and indoor seating with views of the reservoir.
Nyack Beach State Park offers 61 acres of waterfront parkland along the Hudson River at the base of Hook Mountain.
To reach the top of the mountain and take in soaring treetop and river views, AllTrails suggests the 1.5-mile Long Path Trail. “For sunset leaf peeping, check out this short but relatively steep riverside trail,” they share.
Many AllTrails users advise hikers to park on Radcliff Drive for easy entry.
How about some fall foliage with the backdrop of the New York City skyline? That’s exactly what you’ll get in Ramapo Mountain State Forest, a 4,200+ acre forest that’s a sanctuary for wildlife and birds, thanks to its many ponds, streams, and marshes.
The centerpiece of the forest is Ramapo Lake, “which has spectacular views from numerous rock outcroppings and ledges,” according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
To reach the lake, AllTrails recommends the Ramapo Lake Brook Loop: “This route has it all— enjoy beautiful lake views, rock scrambles, and wooded pathways on this hiking and mountain biking trail. If you time it right, the lake offers beautiful reflections of fall foliage.”
Another popular hike is the Van Slyke Castle and Cannonball Trail Loop, which takes you to the stone ruins of Van Slyke Castle.
When visiting the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, you might notice that the trails are made of crushed stone. This is because they were originally carriage roads laid out by John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Jr. when the property was the family’s country estate.
According to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Rockefeller family donated over 1,771 acres of this land to be safeguarded and used as public space. Today, they note, there are 45 miles of scenic carriage roads that wind through “Swan Lake, the Pocantico River with its wood and stone bridges, gurgling streams, colonial stone walls and rock outcroppings.”
In the fall, AllTrails says the Rockwood Hall, Pocantico River, and Old Croton Aqueduct Loop is a “beautiful, tree-lined hike along the Hudson River accessible for hikers, runners, or cyclists.” This trail will also afford you striking views of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, framed by fall foliage.
If you happen to be visiting around Halloween, consider popping over to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery for one of their spooky or historic walking tours.
Wawayanda State Park is a beautiful forested landscape surrounding Lake Wawayanda. It has more than 60 miles of hiking trails, in addition to a nearly 20-mile section of the Appalachian Trail.
But to take in some of the state’s best views, you’ll want to lace up your hiking shoes and head up to the summit.
“As one of the most popular spots to see autumn colors, the Stairway to Heaven trail has steep climbs to panoramic views, along with rolling meadows for leaf peeping opportunities,” shares AllTrails.
About a 20-minute drive from the park is the New Jersey Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy beautiful fall flowers and changing leaves.
Schunnemunk State Park is a mix of rolling meadows and sensational summits with views of the Hudson Valley and River. Though some of the park’s trails are considered moderate, AllTrails points out that the more difficult routes have some of the biggest rewards, like the Schunemunk Mountain via Western Ridge Trail Loop.
“For advanced hikers or trail runners looking for a less-traveled trail, this loop has gorgeous views from the ridgeline of the colorful valley below,” they say.
If you’ve got any energy left, nearby is Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor sculpture museum. In October, Storm King opens early at 9 am to accommodate leaf peepers.
Most hikers agree that Mount Beacon Park is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth every sweaty step.
This hike is unique in that the city of Beacon caters to those traveling from New York City, offering a free bus from the Metro-North train station to the beginning of South Beacon Mountain via Casino Trail.
“The Beacon fire tower at the peak offers an incredible panoramic view of the valley and the Hudson River,” AllTrails tells 6sqft. “A true hike, this challenging route does require proper footwear.”
Once you’re done, Main Street in Beacon is full of cute shops and restaurants. The Dia Beacon art museum is also close by.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve might be the farthest from NYC, but it makes for a great weekend trip.
“The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy,” sums up the Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
But if you’re only going to do one hike, AllTrails suggests Gertrude’s Nose and Millbrook Mountain Loop: “As one of the top fall hikes in the Hudson Valley, this route combines dramatic cliffs with stunning, wide open views. Go counterclockwise to avoid steep downhill sections.”
The Starlight Motel, a restored 1960s motor lodge, is a fun place to stay. And be sure to grab a local brew at Arrowood Farms and a cider at Westwind Orchard.
And finally, before you head out, load up your AllTrails app and take advantage of this pro tip: “Use the Seasons tab in the trail photo gallery to see imagery sorted by month. This feature allows AllTrails members to preview past conditions before hitting the trail to maximize their chances of seeing peak fall foliage colors.”
RELATED:
Source link
