Hiking

Hiking and biking are great ways to promote health and enjoy the area’s natural beauty, from the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River to the foothills of the Berkshires.

Appalachian Trail
Description: 30 miles of the Trail pass through southeastern Dutchess. 4,000 acres of protected parkland with hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and five overnight use areas.
Location: Look for trail crossing signs with triangle at State Rt. 52, 4 mi. east of Taconic Parkway, parking on north side of road; State Rt. 55, west of Pawling, 1.5 mi east of State Rt. 216 intersection, parking 0.1 mi. west of trail crossing; State Rt 22, north of Pawling, between County Rt. 68 and DOT parking area, north of Rt. 68.
Contact: 201/512-9348
URL: NYNJTC.org
Codes: F, D

Dutchess Rail Trail Park
Description: 12-mile paved linear park that will stretch through the heart of the County, from Morgan Lake on the Town/City of Poughkeepsie border through the towns of LaGrange and Wappinger, ending in East Fishkill with a trailhead in the Hamlet of Hopewell Junction. Follows the former Maybrook railroad line. Two phases have already been completed. Phase I is a 1.7 mile section in East Fishkill that extends from Rte. 376 to Lake Walton Road. Phase II is a 2.4 mile section that stretches from Morgan Lake south to Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Trailhead parking is available at Morgan Lake in the City of Poughkeepsie, at Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie and at Lake Walton Road in East Fishkill. For all non-motorized use including walking, biking, rollerblading and more.
Contact: 845/298-4600
URL: DutchessCountyTrails.com
Codes: D, F, G, H

Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Description: 23 miles (15 open) of scenic paved walking, rollerblading, biking and cross-country skiing trails, linking towns, villages and state parks on the rail bed from Wassaic Metro North Station to Copake Falls. No horses or motorized vehicles allowed. Location: Three access points. Railroad Plaza on Main St./Rt. 44, Millerton, across from gazebo. Mechanic St. Amenia, parking lot, 2/10 mile east of Rt. 22 on Rt. 343. Wassaic train station, adjacent to the railroad platform. Also Columbia County.
Location: Access points; Railroad Plaza, Millerton, across from gazebo. In Amenia, Mechanic St., parking lot 2/10 of a mile on left. Also access at Wassaic Metro North Station and at Taconic State Park in Copake Falls.
Contact: 518/789-9591
URL: HVRT.org
Codes: D, F, G, H

Historic Hyde Park Trail
Description: Over 10 miles of trails link several parks and historic sites. Maps and information at trail heads, park visitor centers, and on-line. Bicycles not permitted.
Location: Access points;
• Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Vanderbilt Mansion NHS
• Val-Kill NHS
• Hackett Hill Town Park
• Pinewoods Town Park
• Riverfront Town Park
Contact: 845/229-9115 or -8086 
URL: www.hydeparkny.us/recreation/HealthyTrails.shtml
Codes: F, G

DEC Hudson River Research Reserve
Description: Tivoli Bays site: 1,700 acres/6 miles of trails. Joint DEC Wildlife Management Area (hunting allowed in season) and field laboratory for research and education. Freshwater tidal marsh and forested uplands. Car-top boat launch (non-motorized boats) and interior car access spring-fall. Year-round hiking, wildlife observations. Seasonal bicycling.
Location: Access off Blithewood Rd., Annandale; Rt. 9G and Kidd Lane, Tivoli.
Contact: 845/889-4745 x105
URL: www.DEC.ny.gov/lands/4915.html

The Nature Conservancy
Description: Multi-acre reserves with miles of hiking trails, mountains, fields, woods and ponds. Preserve guide available.
Location:
• Nellie Hill Preserve, Rt. 22, Dover Plains.
• Pawling Nature Reserve, Quaker Lake Rd., Pawling.
• Roger Perry Memorial Preserve, Sand Hill Rd., Dover.
• Thompson Pond Preserve, Lake Rd., Pine Plains.
Hours: Dawn-dusk
Contact: 914/244-3271
URL: Nature.org/env
Codes: F, D

Stissing Mountain Fire Tower
Description: Elevation 1,492 feet. 90-foot tower reached by hiking trails at base of mountain. Look down on eagles, hawks, vultures and crows in flight. See New York from Albany to Bear Mountain; Catskill Mountains to Mass. and Conn. No facilities. Brochure available.
Location: Pine Plains, access off Lake Rd., 1.2 miles off Rt. 199.
Contact: 518/398-5069
Codes: D, F, G