High Banks Preserve

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 out of 10 (friendly stroll with gentle inclines)
Highlights: beautiful trails, lake, small view, that new preserve smell
Distance: 3.1 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours
Total ascent: 370 ft
Max elevation: 294 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a nice stroll in the woods around a new, well-maintained preserve with varied terrain and interesting trails.

Harriman State Park: Lemon Squeezer to Lichen Trail

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (long hike with rolling climbs and plenty of opportunities to get lost)
Highlights: all-around sweetness, ferns, funky rocks, lake, views
Distance: 7.4 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4.5 Hours
Total ascent: 1,804 ft
Max elevation: 1,363 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a long hike to see some nice views, beautiful trails, a gorgeous lake and some funky rock formations.

Sam’s Point

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (but you could make it a 9 if you tried to do everything)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! The parking fee is $10.00. After hiking here, I hope you’ll agree that 10 bones is a steal. UPDATE April 2022: This May, Sam's Point is introducing an online reservation parking system for weekends and holidays, May-October. You MUST reserve to park here! See the "Directions" section below for more details.
Highlights: Ice Caves, lake, Verkeerderkill Falls, views
Distance: 5 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 Hours
Total ascent: 0 ft
Max elevation: 0 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to visit what very well might be the coolest natural place in the Hudson Valley.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (longish hike with hilly sections)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! The parking fee is $10 per vehicle (as of April 2015).
Highlights: lake, views, waterfall, wheelchair accessibility
Distance: 6.4 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 Hours
Total ascent: 814 ft
Max elevation: 1,908 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to pack enough highlights for four hikes into one four-hour loop. And also, you’re not afraid of some crowds.