Hiking or nature walking is a favorite year-round pastime for many. It is a wonderful way to reconnect with Mother Nature. It is a chance to simply breathe in the fresh air and unplug from our busy, over-programmed lives.
The many benefits of hiking include reducing stress while improving our mood. Part of the beauty of hiking is admiring the world around us, too. The experience helps us to stay grounded in the moment and focus on simple pleasures like the crisp air against our faces, the sound of the leaves rustling, the gentle babbling of a stream, or the smell of a bed of leaves on a crisp fall morning.
Mother Nature reminds us to never take a single moment for granted. At the height of the pandemic, my daily walks helped keep me both sane and fulfilled. I ventured out on the trails and discovered some local gems! These are short escapes with tremendous payoffs. Have an hour? Take one of these low-key, less-traveled hikes.
Marian Yarrow Nature Preserve
432-428 Mt. Holly Road, Katonah, NY
Located in Lewisboro, Westchester County, the preserve comprises almost 80 acres and has over two miles of trails. This lovely hike will lead you through hardwood forests made up primarily of black birch, lots of white ash, white and red oak, and large-tooth aspen trees. En route, you’ll discover wetlands, lakes, and streams.
The trails are secluded enough that most of my treks there have been blessed with peaceful solitude. It is unlikely that you’ll come across many other people while exploring this beautiful place.
When you reach Hidden Lake, stop to watch for migratory birds; pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks, palm warblers, hermit thrushes, ovenbirds and indigo buntings have all been spotted here! Other lake dwellers include red-spotted newts, spotted salamanders, box and painted turtles, star-nosed moles, and mink. I encountered a beautiful fox who looked at me with soulful eyes before scampering off.
Near the lake, you will find a small stream cascading down into a 30-foot waterfall before flowing into the Indian Brook. The remainder of the preserve combines rugged and gentle terrain as well as a small meadow.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit any time. There is a four car parking area at the entrance. Dogs are also welcome, but must be on a leash.
Baxter Preserve
80-170 Baxter Road, North Salem, NY
This gorgeous site in North Salem, Westchester County, is 114 acres in total and has a large eight-acre pond surrounded by easy-to-walk trails. The parcel was donated by the North Salem Open Land Foundation in 1979.
With its combination of trails, forest, and meadows, Baxter preserve is a wonderful place for birding, cross-country skiing, and hiking. I’ve also seen horse-back riders and an occasional fisherman.
The trails are mostly wide and open, lined with a variety of trees including black cherry, cottonwood, maple, and apple.
The kaleidoscope of intensely colorful foliage in the fall and winter as well as the bounty of breathtaking wildflowers in the spring and summer make this a year-round wonder.
The trails are level and mostly covered with grass, which makes them easy for walking and enjoying the scenery. The main trail, called “The Racetrack”, is a 1.9-mile loop and circles the pond. It was once a place where people watched point-to-point horse races in the 1950’s.
The second trail in the Baxter Preserve diverges off the eastern part of the Racetrack; this will lead you into several more fields. Look for walnut trees, jewelweed, and even leopard frogs, another interesting inhabitant of Baxter.
Smaller trails branch off and traverse more fields in the Preserve, where wildflowers, ironweed, and purple loosestrife flourish. These trails can be marshy and wet after rain, so be prepared to step through puddles.
You can also check in on the chickens, who are usually happily clucking in their enclosure in the nearby farm.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
You can find the entrance to the trails in an open field located on Baxter Road. Roadside parking is available.
Zofnass Family Preserve
258 Upper Shad Road, Pound Ridge, NY
On an astounding 127 acres in Pound Ridge, Westchester County, this beautiful preserve includes an eight-mile trail network of rocky woods, streams, and marshes. Along the trails, you will find hundreds of stepping stones for crossing streams and wetlands, a 50’ tall stone staircase, old stone walls, and even a fort. There is also the great benefit of a three-acre arboretum, which features over 250 plant species.
Anyone in need of solitude and serenity might appreciate that the preserve is not heavily traveled. It’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon walking in the forest and exploring the arboretum.
The trails are beautifully maintained and well-defined with printed educational plaques posted throughout and maps posted at major junctions, making it simple to navigate. I found it to be terrific, easy hiking, although the conditions could prove a bit challenging at some times of the year due to mud, tree roots, or uneven, rocky sections.
We are encouraged to look for wood frogs, spring peepers, yellow-throated vireos, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and wild turkeys.
Paul Zofnass, a Pound Ridge resident and member of the Westchester Land Trust’s Board of Directors, came up with the idea of creating a trail preserve here and over 10 years, put the project together. Paul and his family donated land, persuaded their neighbors to donate land, and created the impressive trail system. One of Paul Zofnass’ neighbors is Jane Pauley, after whom ‘Pauley’s Point’ was named. Another spot, ‘Trudeau’s Point of View,’ was named after her husband, cartoonist Garry Trudeau. They generously gave their land to the trust.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
There are two designated parking areas which can accommodate four to five cars each.
PERSONAL SAFETY PLUS AN UPDATE ON THE COUNTY TRAILWAYS
Any time you hike, it’s best to have a buddy with you. Whatever you decide, however, always bring a fully charged phone, plenty of water, snacks, and sun block.
Some good news for hikers using the North and South County Trailway and the Bronx River Pathway: Smart Signs with QR codes have been installed at trailheads and access points. The new mile markers with municipality names make it easier for trail users to relay where they are in case of an emergency. The signage includes a 9-1-1 locator sticker and a unique QR code for the trail, so emergency services can easily locate the person in need. Be sure to make a note of the mile marker information each time you pass an Emergency SOS 9-1-1 sign along the trails.
