As winter recedes and the snow begins to melt, the Hudson Valley region starts to pulse with the long-awaited spirit of spring. For many people, this time of year signals the opportunity to reconnect with Mother Nature solo or with the family. Luckily, the Hudson Valley region boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and trails for every ability level. From our rolling peaks and rich forests to our meandering cloves and cool mountain streams, the Hudson Valley is a nature lover’s paradise.
One of the most important aspects of planning a family-friendly nature walk is choosing the right trail. You’ll want to select a trail that’s suitable for everyone in your party, especially the youngest members, so everyone can enjoy the experience without getting tired or overwhelmed. The following six Hudson Valley nature walks are relatively quick, with minimal elevation gain— perfect for families with young children who want to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, and soak up the natural beauty.
Ashokan Quarry Trail
Trailhead Location: Olive, NY
Hike Length: 2-mile lollipop loop
Total Ascent: 190 feet
Time: 1 hour
Intensity: Easy
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/ashokan-quarry-trail/
This short two-mile hike on the south side of the Ashokan Reservoir is one of the most doable and entertaining hikes. With its mix of ruins, varied forests, an old quarry, and a few fantastic scenic spots, it’s sure to keep everyone interested. Block out an hour to enjoy this short gem of a hike. Although there are no tricky sections on this route, extra care should be taken near the top of the quarry cliff face, especially for very young children and excitable pets. For bonus points and spectacular mountain views, tack on a visit to the nearby Ashokan Promenade.
Sloan Gorge Preserve
Trailhead Location: Woodstock, NY
Hike Length: 1.6-mile loop
Total Ascent: 70 feet
Time: 1 hour
Intensity: Easy
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/sloan-gorge/
Nestled at the base of Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, this short, fun hike through land donated by renowned Woodstock artist Allan Edward Sloan combines historical ruins, an abandoned bluestone quarry, and a stunning route through an ancient geological gorge. For such a short hike, it packs in so much: vernal pools, a seasonal stream, a mix of hardwood and evergreen forests, and imposing quarry cliffs. There’s even a small split-rock chasm called The Chimney that kids will love exploring.
Diamond Notch Falls
Trailhead Location: West Kill, NY
Hike Length: 1.9 miles total in-and-out
Total Ascent: 200 feet
Time: 2 hours
Intensity: Easy
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/diamond-notch-falls-spruceton/
The easy hike to the double-waterfall in Diamond Notch is one of the most popular ways for hikers to immerse themselves in the deep beauty of the Catskills. Walk along the West Kill mountain stream until, about a mile-and-a-half from the trailhead, you get to the stunning footbridge. Below the footbridge, the double-falls are both a worthy destination for a day-hike and a welcome end-of-hike foot-spa for weary mountain hikers returning from nearby Hunter or West Kill mountains. The falls are worth visiting any time of year, but are especially magical in deep summer when the forest is lush, and again in deep winter when the falls are frozen-over.
This hike can be extended a further 0.75 miles up over Diamond Notch itself, with only an additional 360 feet of elevation gain, to a terrific scenic lookout. You’ll come to an obvious boulder on the trail just below the far side of the hump. From there, 13 miles in the distance but clearly visible, you’ll see the Burroughs Range: Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide mountains.
Lions Head
Trailhead Location: Salisbury, CT
Hike Length: 2 miles total out and back
Total Ascent: 550 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
Intensity: Moderate
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/lions-head-hiking-trail/
A little more strenuous, but still very do-able, this short hike to a sweet rocky lookout can fit handily into a morning or an afternoon, without taking over the whole day. This is also a fantastic shake-off-the-day, after-work hike if you live nearby. Most of the trail is flat but, near the summit hump, a steep-ish section provides a short but solid workout climb to an open summit. By a pine tree with a wooden summit marker, you’ll find the ledge with sweeping views of Connecticut below. Two sweet bonuses: the parking area is large and you’ll have good cell service for almost the entire hike.
Vernooy Falls & Mill Ruins
Trailhead Location: Kerhonkson, NY
Hike Length: 3.5 miles total in-and-out
Total Ascent: 300 feet
Time: 2 hours
Intensity: Moderate
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/vernooy-falls/
It’s difficult to beat this quick hike to a set of remarkable old mill ruins that sit below one of the great Catskills multistage waterfalls. The trail winds through alternating stands of hemlock, white pine, and mountain laurel, which blooms so fantastically from late May through early June. Fun stream crossings and multiple footbridges along the route are a dreamy aesthetic bonus. The ruins at the falls date back about 200 years when this intersection was a major crossroads where farmers brought their grain for milling. This trail can be a little muddy, so it’s a good idea to pack proper hiking footwear.
Dibbles Quarry
Trailhead Location: Elka Park, NY
Hike Length: 2 miles total in-and-out
Total Ascent: 450 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
Intensity: Moderate
Source: https://mountain-hiking.com/dibbles-quarry-catskills/
Dibbles Quarry is one of the great Catskills locations. Less than a mile from the trailhead, and steeped in early settler history, you’ll find a sprawling abandoned bluestone quarry. Sit in the grand stone thrones with exceptional views of Platte Clove and Kaaterskill High Peak to your left and Twin mountain to your right. This hike can also be extended beyond the quarry, down over a stunningly picturesque mountain brook crossing, and uphill to the edge of an enormous abandoned beaver pond with views of Twin and Sugarloaf mountains. The additional leg adds a mile and 200 feet of elevation gain to the hike.
Mud Season in the Hudson Valley
It’s important to note that in the Hudson Valley, spring means mud season on our nature trails. During this time, it’s important to take extra care to avoid widening our trails or causing unnecessary erosion. One of the best practices for hiking in muddy conditions is to walk straight through any mud and puddles you come across, rather than trying to step around them. This helps to prevent the trail from becoming wider and causing further damage to the ecosystem. By taking this small but important step, hikers can help to preserve the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley for generations to come.
Sean O’Dwyer hikes and photographs the Hudson Valley every week. He also produces mountain-hiking.com, a hyper-detailed trail guide resource for Hudson Valley hikers.
