The sun is out shining and temperatures are finally rising, our residents are more than ready to start hitting New York’s scenic trails. Providing you with another list of adventures that you’re going to want to take before the year’s over, you’ll find a variety of trails listed below that can be found all over the Empire State. With trails that will bring you to the top of some of our tallest mountains and less strenuous hikes that will bring you to waterfalls, there’s something on this list for everyone to enjoy. Ready to find out which trail you’re going to conquer next? Then view this list of hikes that feature amazing final destinations that you’ll want to visit for yourself.
- Cascade to Porter Mountain - Essex County
Dave Hosford/Flickr A great place to start if you’re a beginner who’s looking to take on our High Peaks, the Cascade to Porter Trail allows you to cross two mountains off of your bucket list. The trail is considered by most to be moderate and is roughly 6 miles long if you take on both summits. Getting yourself to the summit of Cascade Mountain will give you a workout with a nearly 5-mile long trail, so adding on the extra mile or so it takes to get you to Porter is worth the extra effort. Giving you views of our tallest mountains with an open summit, this trail is worth visiting. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Carpenter Falls - Cayuga County
246Paul/TripAdvisor What the Finger Lakes lack in mountains they certainly make up for with waterfalls. Surrounding you with waterfront views that will put you at ease, this region is full of scenery that you’ll never want to stop exploring. Within the Bahar Nature Preserve, the Carpenter Falls trail features waterfalls and is considered to be a moderate hike. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Indian Head & Fish Hawk Cliffs - Keene Valley
A more difficult hike that isn’t suited for our young explorers, the effort it takes to make it to the top of Indian Head is worth it. Giving you an unforgettable view of our Adirondack lakes and surrounding mountains, there’s no other hike like this in New York. One of the many extraordinary hikes that are waiting for you in the Keene Valley, this view is something that everyone should see for themselves at least once. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Skytop Tower - Ulster County
Steve W/TripAdvisor A hike that proves to be difficult in ways you wouldn’t normally imagine, this hike has earned the nickname The Lemon Squeeze. Considering the reputation that this trail has gathered over the years, you might expect it to be on that’s long. But it isn’t the length of this hike that trips people up, it’s the fact that it forces you crawl through actual crevices that may bring some of your worst phobias to life. If you can make it through squeezing yourself through rocky terrain, you’ll be more than rewarded with a view from the Skytop Tower that overlooks this incredible mountain range. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Ausable Chasm - Keeseville
William Doyle/Flickr Need a hike that will provide more thrill all while keep you relatively close to the ground? Then perhaps its time you spend the day exploring Ausable Chasm. Taking you through the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this park’s Adventure Trail is unlike anything else in the area. Bringing you along and over this jaw-dropping river, this adventure is one that’s great for families. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Mashomack Preserve - Shelter Island
Christie O./Yelp Head out towards the very ends of Long Island and you can enjoy waterfront trails at the Mashomack Preserve. This stunning park is a popular place to come and observe wildlife, while featuring a loop trail that takes you to secluded areas that you won’t want to share with anyone else. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Corbett’s Glen Nature Park - Rochester
Pradip A./Yelp Another trail that will keep you close to the ground while also featuring waterfalls, hiking at Corbett’s Glen is a dreamy experience. The nature park is a favorite place to visit for those who are looking to get outdoors and find themselves in the Rochester area. Not your average hike, the trail here will take you through the forest and even a tunnel. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Buck Mountain - Lake George
ADKtraveller/TripAdvisor The hardest part about going hiking in the Lake George area is deciding on just one mountain to take on for the day. With a wide variety of trails with summits that will leave you speechless, Buck Mountain is one destination you won’t want to let slip under your radar. Off of the popular Buttermilk Falls Road, this roughly six mile hike features a jaw-dropping view of the lake. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Breakneck Ridge - Cold Spring
Jedsada Y./Yelp One of the many reasons why us New Yorkers are so spoiled, even residents who are living in our big cities will find that they’re not too far from some of our favorite mountains and trails. A difficult hike that will give you quite the workout, the Breakneck Ridge Trail is over 5-miles long and is quite steep. So if you’re looking to spend the day taking on a challenge, this more strenuous trail might be the right fit for you. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- OK Slip Falls - Indian Lake
If you aren’t interested in exploring difficult trails within New York, then you’ll be glad to hear that the hike to OK Slip Falls is one that’s considered by most to be easy. After hiking for a brief three miles you’ll be delighted to discover a beautiful overlook that gives you a view of this Adirondack waterfall. One of the tallest waterfalls in this entire region, you’ll have a hard time believing that this hidden gem is actually real! To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Ferncliff Forest - Rhinebeck
Nicole R./Yelp Another easy hike for you to enjoy, those who are interested in exploring the Ferncliff Forest can take on a 2-mile loop trail that’s waiting for you. The loop leads hikers to a tower that will allow you to have sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and surrounding area of Rhinebeck. An easy adventure that would make for a great day trip, this trail is one that most people find to be nice and easy. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Whiteface Mountain - Essex County
Sam B./Yelp When it comes to iconic views in the Adirondacks, you can’t have a conversation without mentioning Whiteface Mountain. Many of our residents know that you can drive most of the way up this mountain, but those who are looking to become a 46er will have to actually hike their way up to this summit. A difficult adventure that will earn yourself a pat on the back, this trail is New York’s fifth tallest and has explorers on it all throughout the year. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Slide Mountain - Catskill
robkurtross/TripAdvisor Another gorgeous hike within the Catskills, Slide Mountain is another moderate trail that’s amazing to take a day to explore. An over 5-mile long trail, this hike is breathtaking to enjoy during the summer when you’re surrounded by New York’s vibrant scenery. A well-marked path that will lead you to stunning sights, this mountain is one that you’ll want to revisit. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
How many of these hikes have you already crossed off of your list? To keep yourself busy with more adventures, check out these 14 Magnificent Trails That You Have To Hike In New York Before You Die!
Dave Hosford/Flickr
A great place to start if you’re a beginner who’s looking to take on our High Peaks, the Cascade to Porter Trail allows you to cross two mountains off of your bucket list. The trail is considered by most to be moderate and is roughly 6 miles long if you take on both summits. Getting yourself to the summit of Cascade Mountain will give you a workout with a nearly 5-mile long trail, so adding on the extra mile or so it takes to get you to Porter is worth the extra effort. Giving you views of our tallest mountains with an open summit, this trail is worth visiting. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
246Paul/TripAdvisor
What the Finger Lakes lack in mountains they certainly make up for with waterfalls. Surrounding you with waterfront views that will put you at ease, this region is full of scenery that you’ll never want to stop exploring. Within the Bahar Nature Preserve, the Carpenter Falls trail features waterfalls and is considered to be a moderate hike. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- Indian Head & Fish Hawk Cliffs - Keene Valley
A more difficult hike that isn’t suited for our young explorers, the effort it takes to make it to the top of Indian Head is worth it. Giving you an unforgettable view of our Adirondack lakes and surrounding mountains, there’s no other hike like this in New York. One of the many extraordinary hikes that are waiting for you in the Keene Valley, this view is something that everyone should see for themselves at least once. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Steve W/TripAdvisor
A hike that proves to be difficult in ways you wouldn’t normally imagine, this hike has earned the nickname The Lemon Squeeze. Considering the reputation that this trail has gathered over the years, you might expect it to be on that’s long. But it isn’t the length of this hike that trips people up, it’s the fact that it forces you crawl through actual crevices that may bring some of your worst phobias to life. If you can make it through squeezing yourself through rocky terrain, you’ll be more than rewarded with a view from the Skytop Tower that overlooks this incredible mountain range. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
William Doyle/Flickr
Need a hike that will provide more thrill all while keep you relatively close to the ground? Then perhaps its time you spend the day exploring Ausable Chasm. Taking you through the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this park’s Adventure Trail is unlike anything else in the area. Bringing you along and over this jaw-dropping river, this adventure is one that’s great for families. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Christie O./Yelp
Head out towards the very ends of Long Island and you can enjoy waterfront trails at the Mashomack Preserve. This stunning park is a popular place to come and observe wildlife, while featuring a loop trail that takes you to secluded areas that you won’t want to share with anyone else. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Pradip A./Yelp
Another trail that will keep you close to the ground while also featuring waterfalls, hiking at Corbett’s Glen is a dreamy experience. The nature park is a favorite place to visit for those who are looking to get outdoors and find themselves in the Rochester area. Not your average hike, the trail here will take you through the forest and even a tunnel. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
ADKtraveller/TripAdvisor
The hardest part about going hiking in the Lake George area is deciding on just one mountain to take on for the day. With a wide variety of trails with summits that will leave you speechless, Buck Mountain is one destination you won’t want to let slip under your radar. Off of the popular Buttermilk Falls Road, this roughly six mile hike features a jaw-dropping view of the lake. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Jedsada Y./Yelp
One of the many reasons why us New Yorkers are so spoiled, even residents who are living in our big cities will find that they’re not too far from some of our favorite mountains and trails. A difficult hike that will give you quite the workout, the Breakneck Ridge Trail is over 5-miles long and is quite steep. So if you’re looking to spend the day taking on a challenge, this more strenuous trail might be the right fit for you. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
- OK Slip Falls - Indian Lake
If you aren’t interested in exploring difficult trails within New York, then you’ll be glad to hear that the hike to OK Slip Falls is one that’s considered by most to be easy. After hiking for a brief three miles you’ll be delighted to discover a beautiful overlook that gives you a view of this Adirondack waterfall. One of the tallest waterfalls in this entire region, you’ll have a hard time believing that this hidden gem is actually real! To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Nicole R./Yelp
Another easy hike for you to enjoy, those who are interested in exploring the Ferncliff Forest can take on a 2-mile loop trail that’s waiting for you. The loop leads hikers to a tower that will allow you to have sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and surrounding area of Rhinebeck. An easy adventure that would make for a great day trip, this trail is one that most people find to be nice and easy. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
Sam B./Yelp
When it comes to iconic views in the Adirondacks, you can’t have a conversation without mentioning Whiteface Mountain. Many of our residents know that you can drive most of the way up this mountain, but those who are looking to become a 46er will have to actually hike their way up to this summit. A difficult adventure that will earn yourself a pat on the back, this trail is New York’s fifth tallest and has explorers on it all throughout the year. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
robkurtross/TripAdvisor
Another gorgeous hike within the Catskills, Slide Mountain is another moderate trail that’s amazing to take a day to explore. An over 5-mile long trail, this hike is breathtaking to enjoy during the summer when you’re surrounded by New York’s vibrant scenery. A well-marked path that will lead you to stunning sights, this mountain is one that you’ll want to revisit. To find out more information about this trail, click here.
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