Climb up a fire tower or see a historic mansion on these trails.
live in New York City definitely has its fringe benefit — itsmyriad of museum , culinary picture , andnightlifeare just a few . However , not having a car , and thus being sequestered to our beloved concrete jungle can cause us to go a bit stir - crazy . That ’s why we ’ve put together a listing of rail - to - trailhikesthat you could access just by hopping on Metro - North , from the Carry Amelia Moore Nation ’s first Natural History Landmark to abirder’sparadise .
Hikes Accessible Via the New Haven Line
Sherwood Island State Park
WestportThe station : Green ’s Farms , 1 hour , 18 moment from NYCHike distance:2.9 milesWhen the beach crew clear out for the season , Connecticut ’s first province park take on an bound - of - the - earth dish that ca n’t be missed . There are 235 acres of wildlife - copious woodlands and waterfront to roll , as well as a 1.5 - mile beach walk of life along the Long Island Sound . Pick up a hoagy atFortuna ’s Deliin town , then take a five minute Uber or Lyft to the park .
Hikes Accessible Via the Hudson Line
Old Croton Aqueduct
TarrytownThe station : Tarrytown , 53 minutes from NYCHike distance : Up to 26.2 milesThe now - decommissioned Croton Aqueduct that begin supplying water to NYC in 1842 has become the crown gem of Westchester workouts . This point stretch of the 26.2 - mile trail runs under a canopy of oak tree and willows from Tarrytown to Yonkers . Along the direction , you ’ll run into quaint settlement , beautiful Hudson River views , stone Harry Bridges , and a few surprises , like the historic estateLyndhurst mansion .
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
PleasantvilleThe station : Tarrytown , 53 minutes from NYCHike aloofness : Up to 45 milesIt ’s shockingly easy to get lost on any telephone number of the60 well - groomed trailsin Rockefeller State Park Preserve , face - industrial plant while run towards a field of grazing sheep , and still have the best salary increase of your life . There ’s bits of magic around every bend , be it on the .75 - nautical mile Buttermilk Hill trail up to the highest point in the 1,400 - acre preserve , or the two naut mi 13 Bridges Loop , which traverse 13 bridges deep into the woods . Before taking a 10 - minute drive back to the station , walk next room access toStone Barnsto fasten a child’s play and titter at piglets .
Arden Point and Glenclyffe
GarrisonThe station : Garrison , 1 hour , 20 minutes from NYCHike distance:3.9 - international mile circuitMoments after set down on this path , you ’ll see a sign for “ Arden Point – Hudson Highlands State Park . ” The 2.5 - time of day tramp take away you by waterfall and flow and along a Revolutionary War road used by the traitorous general Benedict Arnold . Bonus head for the fantastic aspect of the Hudson River .
Mount Beacon
BeaconStation : Beacon , 1 hour , 30 minute from NYCHike distance:5 milesWhile this salary increase may be a mo exorbitant than you ’d expect , it ’s worth it to reach the Mount Beacon Fire Tower . Take the 5 - mile Breakneck Ridge Trail to the top , then wax the stairs of the fire tower for jaw - dropping , 360 view of the Hudson Valley . Plus , if you have some time afterwards , explore Beacon , a quaint township with a bunch of hidden muffin .
Hikes Accessible Via the Harlem Line
The Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary
Mount KiscoThe station : Mount Kisco , 1 hour , 4 minute from NYCHike distance:3 milesThis 363 - acre preserve is an specially thrilling natural interruption during the fall hawk migration , when you’re able to spy on various raptors from up in the Hawk Watch . In the summertime , you ’ll catch songbird like wood thrush , barred bird of Minerva , and screeching owls . fundamentally , it ’s a bird watcher ’s paradise . Even if you are n’t big on ornithology , this will go down as one of the wildest hikes you ’ve ever experienced — one that ’s entirely worth the train trip ( plus a 10 minute car drive ) .
Mianus River Gorge Preserve
BedfordThe station : Bedford Hills , 1 hour , 11 minutes from NYCHike distance:5 milesThe nation ’s first register Natural History Landmark , the Mianus River Gorge is a 935 - Accho conserve where you may spot wood turtles , bobcats , livid - tailed cervid , amongst other beast . It ’s worth the 10 minute car ride from the station to receive the well - marked trails , which are a ocular fete and boast Havemeyer Falls , an eighteenth - 100 prey , spout Mianus River , and 350 - class - old hemlocks that loom over 100 human foot tall .
Appalachian Trail
PawlingThe station : Appalachian Trail , 2 time of day from NYCHike length : Up to 162 milesThe absurdly beautiful start of this hike is worth the trip alone . Whether you go 7.6 miles up to Cat Rocks for the expansive Harlem Valley views , or traipse five miles along the Appalachian Trail through the Pawling Nature Preserve , the initial 1,600 foot Swamp River Boardwalk slithering through the wild is already all the nature fix you need to make it a memorable jaunt .
Photo courtesy of Mt. Beacon Fire Tower
Sherwood Island State Park|James Kirkikis/Shutterstock
Lyndhurst Castle|Flickr/MFer Photography
Appalachian Trail in New Jersey|Scott Aurnou/Getty Images