Best 6 Hiking Paths Around Carmel, NY

If you’re looking for a healthy and inexpensive way to spend your free day, you should try hiking. Hiking is an activity that you can do alone, with friends, your children, and even your pets. Spring is a great time to discover new hiking trails, as the weather gets warmer and you can enjoy the wonderful views of nature coming back into bloom. Continue reading to learn about six of the best hiking paths around Carmel, New York.

Maybrook Trailway

The Maybrook Trailway hiking path is part of the Empire State Trail. It’s an off-road, 15-mile paved trail that welcomes hikers, cyclists, and pets. The Maybrook Trailway can take between five to eight hours to walk and about an hour and a half to two hours to complete with a bike. When hiking, you can take a scenic lunch break in one of the beautiful fields or forests that the trail passes through. This hiking trail also passes by ponds and wetlands, which may allow you to encounter some native wildlife.

The Maybrook Trailway portion of the Empire State Trail begins at the intersection of Route 292 and Holmes Road and ends at Hopewell Junction. This is considered to be an easy hiking trail because of its paved path, but since it’s a relatively long trail to hike, it may be best to complete this trail with adults, as children may not have the energy to hike for this duration.

Perkins Trail

Perkins Trail is a hiking path in lower Hudson Valley that spans just under 4.5 miles. This trail passes by a few other great hiking spots, which can allow you to customize your hiking journey. It’s easy to stay on the trail though, as you can just follow the yellow markers. Perkins Trail is a winding path that involves steep, rocky trails, so it’s considered a more difficult intermediate trail. It starts at Route 301 and ends around School Mountain Road. This hiking trail passes through beautiful farmland and ponds.

Due to its higher skill level, this trail may be best for individuals who have prior hiking experience. If you decide to bring your dog to keep you company, be sure to keep them on a leash, as this trail passes through private property.

Old Mine Railway

Old Mine Railway is a hiking trail within Clarence Fahnestock State Park that connects to other great trails, including the Three Lakes Loop and Charcoal Burner’s trails. This hiking destination is just over 2.5 miles long and creates a loop, allowing hikers to see new sights throughout its duration. This trail shape makes it easier for you to find your car after you complete your hike, as well. The Old Mine Railway, Three Lakes Loop, and Charcoal Burners trails border lakes and pass through beautiful state park forests.

The Old Mine Railway Trail is easy to follow and is a good trail for kids and pets. After you finish the hiking trail, you might find a great picnic destination in Clarence Fahnestock State Park.

Roaring Brook Trailhead

If you’re looking for a challenge, you might consider visiting Roaring Brook Trailhead. This hiking destination is located in Brinckerhoff, New York, which is about a 30-minute drive from Carmel. This trail leads to Giant Mountain, the 12th highest peak in New York. Its length spans over a 7.5-mile trail and includes a scenic route with a waterfall and beautiful forest. This trail is also great for bird-watching, so consider bringing your binoculars.

Roaring Brook Trailhead is considered a difficult trail, so it’s best to have some hiking experience before trying it. Since it’s a higher-difficulty trail, you might not want to bring your little ones on this hike. You can, however, bring your dog as long as you have a leash to keep them near you, as this is a popular trail.

Cranberry Mountain Trail

Cranberry Mountain Trail is located in Patterson, New York, about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Carmel. This is a secluded trail that passes a pond, slopes, and fields. Cranberry Mountain Trail is 3.5 miles long and is in the shape of a loop, so you can finish your hike right where you started. This trail emphasizes nature and wildlife, which makes it a great trail to hike for bird-watching, finding wildflowers, and seeing animals such as rabbits or deer.

When hiking this trail, consider downloading an app to ensure that you don’t get lost, as some sections of the trail may be harder to follow than others. This trail is both dog- and kid-friendly, though it’s best to keep your dogs on a leash when using this trail.

Reeves Brook Loop Trail

If you want to adventure a little farther past Carmel city limits, try the Reeves Brook Loop Trail. This beautiful trail is inside Harriman State Park, which is about a 50-minute drive from Carmel. This trail is a little under 4 miles and is in the shape of a loop, which makes parking, starting, and finishing the hike easier. Reeves Brook Loop Trail passes great natural landmarks, such as caves, rock structures, forest plants, and a waterfall. Since this trail has so much scenery and activities, it may take you at least two hours to complete the trail.

The Reeves Brook Loop Trail is of medium difficulty and requires some coordination to hike over rocks and down slopes, so this trail may be best for families with older children, friends, or just you and your dog. Reeves Brook Loop Trail is open year-round, but for the best experience, it’s great to go in the spring.

Hiking is a great opportunity to get exercise, experience nature, and witness unique landmarks. If you’re looking for a fun and free activity for the spring, consider visiting a trail we mentioned in this list. Before driving to one of these destinations, it may be helpful to get your car serviced by professionals. Also, contact us and let us know if you have any hiking recommendations that you don’t see on this list. We’d love to hear from you.