Expand Your Horizons with These 7 Hudson Valley Adventures
When it comes to the great outdoors, no place offers greater ways to experience nature than the Hudson Valley. Each season has its benefits, but autumn in the valley is undeniably exhilarating.
1. Mianus River Gorge Preserve | Westchester County
Explore over 5 miles of enchanting trails on Mianus River Gorge Preserve! Stop by the map shelter to learn about the delicate ecology and natural history of the Preserve. Pick up a trail map and find out about upcoming events, ongoing research and educational initiatives.
2. Cat Rocks, Pawling | Dutchess County
Did you know you could hike part of the Appalachian Trail through Dutchess County? Cat Rocks’ heart-pumping two-mile ascent leads to a gorgeous view of the Berkshires that’s worth the climb. For novice and experienced hikers—Cat Rocks is on the Zen Finder Outdoor Experience Trail (a mobile passport program highlighting hidden-gem hikes.) Download the pass for FREE, and check-in at trailheads to earn prizes!
3. High Falls Public Conservation Area | Columbia County
Situated on 47 acres, this beautiful conservation area features Columbia County’s highest waterfall. Its 1.5 miles of trails are perfect for easy to moderate hiking. Find it at 540 Roxbury Road, Philmont, NY.
4. Pine Hollow Arboretum | Albany County
Nestled in Slingerlands, this 22-acre arboretum is home to distinct varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. Follow the winding trails, decorated with colorful leaves, to scenic ponds for picture-perfect backdrops. The forest, thick with evergreens, is a natural wonderland offering an abundance of spots for seasonal photos!
5. Shaker Heritage Society | Albany County
Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit the scenic grounds of American's first Shaker settlement where you’ll likely encounter a few friendly cows. Interpretive signs throughout the grounds offer information about the Shakers, so you can brush up on the history of this communal religious society. Nearby, find the 180-acre Ann Lee Pond Nature Preserve. Embark on tranquil trails for bold displays of foliage amid the wetlands, forest and meadows.
6. John Burroughs Slabsides and Nature Sanctuary | Ulster County
Considered the originator of the modern nature essay, John Burroughs (1837-1921) was one of the most influential authors of his day. His one-room cabin remains as he left it in 1920 and is visible through large front windows. Set within 200 acres of dramatic rocky cliffs and pristine woods that inspired much of his writing—the retreat is surrounded by a network of Greenway Hiking Trails. Trails are open year-round, dawn-dusk. Find them at Burroughs Drive off Floyd Ackert Road, West Park, NY. Phone: 845-384-6320. Visit website for Slabsides hours and appointments.
7. Mountain Top Arboretum | Greene County
This public garden in the Catskill Mountains is dedicated to native plant communities of the northeastern US, in addition to a collection of cold-hardy native and exotic trees. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, its trails and boardwalks connect 178 acres of plant collections, natural meadows, wetlands, forest and Devonian bedrock—making it a natural sanctuary for visitors interested in horticulture, birding, geology, local craftsmanship, hiking and snowshoeing!