From the Albany Times-Union...
11 kid-friendly hikes in upstate New York, These hikes are perfect for the whole family or a class trip:
https://www.timesunion.com/projects/...%20the%20knick
"From the tranquil shores by the Saugerties Lighthouse to the historic remnants at the Overlook Hotel Ruins and Fire Tower, this curated list of hikes is designed with every family member in mind.
Each trail has been chosen for its gentle paths, engaging scenery and accessibility, ensuring a delightful experience free from the worry of harsh climbs or unpredictable conditions. Perfect for tiny trekkers, seasoned walkers and every adventurer in between, these low-elevation hikes allow for kid-friendly exploration in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region.
Bender Melon Farm Preserve
14 Hilton Road, Slingerlands
Just a stone’s throw from Albany in the town of New Scotland lies the serene expanse of the Bender Melon Farm Preserve. This 175-acre haven offers a mix of forests, fields and wetlands, and serves as a perfect introduction to the natural world for families in the Capital Region. Criss-crossed by more than 2 miles of easy loop trails, the preserve invites visitors to meander through its diverse landscapes, making it an ideal spot for young explorers and those seeking a gentle adventure outdoors.
Straddling the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, which forges a scenic 9-mile connection from downtown Albany to Voorheesville, the preserve is effortlessly accessible for a day’s escape. An old steel bridge arches gracefully over the rail trail, linking the two halves of the preserve and adding a touch of historical charm to the landscape. Whether you’re cycling along the rail trail or looking for a leisurely walk, this preserve offers an accessible slice of tranquility, allowing visitors to easily extend their outdoor journey.
TRAIL LENGTH: 2 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...-david-s-trail
Schodack Island
1 Schodack Island Way, Schodack Landing
Despite the name, Schodack Island State Park is not an island, but a large peninsula barely clinging to the east bank of the Hudson and hugging Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties. During the fall, the river cools slower than the surrounding air and moderates temperatures on the island, resulting a slightly longer foliage season.
Access the peninsula via Route 9J and continue under the span of the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, which crosses over the island on giant metal piers that look like megaliths from a past civilization as they jut up through the forest. Heading south from the parking area, follow the orange trail down a wide, easy path featuring signage educating hikers about non-native species in the park. One invasive, the Oriental bittersweet, hangs thick from most of the trees on the island.
The commercial shipping channel in the western half of the Hudson River is periodically dredged to keep it passable, and the material from the river’s bottom is dumped on parts of Schodack Island. The Orange Trail passes through this "dredge spoil forest," which supports a variety of birdlife. Carolina wren, yellow-rumped warbler, grackle, cardinal, chickadee, and several species of woodpecker can be seen depending on the season.
There are several trails branching off to the orange trail’s east; take the yellow trail to loop back through marshland to the parking lot.
TRAIL LENGTH: 4.5 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...ate-park-trail
The Lewis A. Swyer Preserve Boardwalk
1599 State Route 9J, Stuyvesant
The Hudson River slides in and out of the Lewis A. Swyer Preserve with the tides, creating a freshwater tidal swamp, one of the rarest ecosystems in the country. The Nature Conservancy, which preserved the land after purchasing it from a freight-train operator in 1989, provides educational signage about the ecosystem and its unique flora and fauna.
Park on the side of Route 9J just north of the Preserve sign and walk along the road for about 200 feet before stepping on a half-mile boardwalk that winds through the marshland. The boardwalk is raised so the tide can creep underneath, but avoid the hike after heavy storms, as the water can crest the boardwalk.
The trail crisscrosses the Mill Creek and its numerous tributaries through the marshland, and you can actually see them pulse back and forth from waves on the Hudson River. At the end of the boardwalk, climb the staircase to a viewing platform and take in the wide expanse of the Hudson River.
TRAIL LENGTH: 1 mile
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...-a-swyer-trail
The Ale Trail at Riedlbauer’s Resort
57 Ravine Drive, Round Top
The Ale Trail is the only trail on private land on this list, part of a complex of family-friendly paths at Riedlbauer’s Resort in Round Top.
Park at the GPS coordinates at the end of a long, dirt parking lot. Continue walking past the end of the lot and find yourself on a dirt path that leads to the Kiskatom Brook.
There are two paths that run along the Kiskatom: the Waterfall Trail, and, across a short bridge, the Ale Trail. Take either to the right and within a couple minutes you’ll come upon a series of waterfalls splashing over the exposed rock of the creek bed. At the largest waterfall, stray from the path for a closer look — both children and adults can step behind the waterfall and be consumed by the rush of water without getting wet.
TRAIL LENGTH: .8 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Multiple trails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/tr...awosting-falls
Vosburgh Swamp
275 4 Mile Point Road, Coxsackie
The Vosburgh Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Coxsackie covers about 300 acres of upland forest and tidal wetlands on the Hudson’s west bank. The area is home to a variety of hard-to-find wildlife, including 23 species considered “species of greatest conservation need” by the Department of Environmental Conservation, such as sharp-shinned hawk, marbled salamander, northern harrier and the northern long-eared bat.
Skip the first small parking lot on the left of 4 Mile Point Road and continue until you hit the small lot on the road’s right side. From here, amble down the easy dirt path as it takes you through forest and past a marshy pond before bringing you to 4 Mile Point, which looks out over the Hudson River.
Be on the lookout for bald eagles — they often don’t migrate until after Thanksgiving, and have nested across the Hudson at the mouth of Stockport Creek in prior years.
TRAIL LENGTH: 1.6 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...anagement-area
High Falls Conservation Area
540 Roxbury Road, Hudson
High Falls Conservation Area offers families a gentle yet awe-inspiring hike culminating in the breathtaking view of Columbia County’s highest waterfall. The trail to High Falls is an easy, well-marked path through lush forests, leading to expansive views of the surrounding landscape before arriving at the dramatic cascade of water.
This relatively short hike is perfect for families, with picnic spots and benches along the way where you can pause and soak in the serene beauty of nature. In winter, the falls transform into a frozen spectacle, while spring and summer bring vibrant greenery and wildflowers, making High Falls a year-round destination for those looking to introduce their children to the joys of outdoor exploration.
TRAIL LENGTH: 4 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...tion-area-loop
Ramshorn-Livingston Audubon Sanctuary
109 Dubois Road, Catskill
Accessible by foot from the village of Catskill, this sanctuary features dozens of different bird species, so bring your binoculars.
Park at the small lot on the side of Dubois Road to access the trail, which shoots south through upland forest before descending into a wide, grassy marshland. There’s an observation tower to the right where you can take in the vistas. The trail continues through the marshland and meets the Ramshorn Creek before splitting into three paths that loop around a small, forested hill with views of the Hudson River.
The path is flat and smooth, a great family hike, but with a caveat: the marshland section of the trail can flood during certain high tides. Check the tides before you head out.
TRAIL LENGTH: 2 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...anctuary-trail
Saugerties Lighthouse Trail
168 Lighthouse Drive, Saugerties
An easy, scenic stroll to a historic lighthouse, the Saugerties Lighthouse Trail is a flat, well-maintained path suitable for all ages. Winding through tranquil wetlands, the trail offers opportunities to spot wildlife and culminates at a picturesque lighthouse on the Hudson River’s edge, where families can picnic and enjoy panoramic views.
TRAIL LENGTH: 0.5 mile
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...ghthouse-trail
Sloan Gorge Preserve
487 Stoll Road, Woodstock
Donated to the Woodstock Land Conservancy in 1998 by the renowned local artist Allan Edward Sloan, Sloan Gorge Preserve encapsulates Sloan’s legacy through its diverse forest, remnants of old bluestone quarries and striking geological features. The preserve is a sanctuary for wildlife and a living museum that narrates the intertwining of nature’s artistry and human endeavor.
The preserve features an engaging 1-mile loop trail that guides visitors through its unique geological landscape, making it an ideal spot for educational outings, school groups and anyone keen on delving into the natural world. A downloadable “Field Guide to the Geology of Sloan Gorge Preserve” by Robert Titus offers an enriching insight into the terrain’s formation and significance.
TRAIL LENGTH: 1.3 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...oan-gorge-loop
Overlook Hotel Ruins & Fire Tower
353 Meads Mountain Road, Woodstock
For families with older children, the hike to the Overlook Mountain House Ruins and Fire Tower presents a slightly more challenging but rewarding adventure. The trail offers historical intrigue through the hotel ruins and culminates in a climb up the fire tower, where hikers are rewarded with breathtaking layers of Catskills High Peaks. Below, the wide, flat Hudson Valley floor. This is one of the most popular locations (and one of the top scenic locations) in the entire Catskills region.
TRAIL LENGTH: 5 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...mountain-trail
Dover Stone Church
3128 State Route 22, Dover Plains
Dover Stone Church offers a fairy-tale hike through a trail leading to a stunning cave and waterfall. The easy walk is manageable for even the youngest hikers and unveils a hidden natural cathedral carved by water. It’s a magical experience, providing a cool respite on warm days and a sense of adventure as families explore its depths.
TRAIL LENGTH: 1.2 miles
TRAIL TYPE: Out and back
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/n...r-stone-church "
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