Boyce Park

Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (short, steep climb)
Highlights: field, hang glider launch ramp, views
Distance: 3 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 657 ft
Max elevation: 1,066 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You like short hikes to big payoffs. After a stroll across a field, you’ll come to a hill that rewards 30 minutes of steep climbing with a very nice view.

Brace Mountain

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Highlights: amazing views, open field at summit
Distance: 5 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3-4 Hours
Total ascent: ft
Max elevation: ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re itching to climb a big mountain and you want some serious views.

Brace Mountain II (South Taconic trailhead)

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (very steep, rocky hike with the odd rattlesnake)
Highlights: even more amazing views, open field at summit, waterfall
Distance: 3.8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3.5 Hours
Total ascent: 1,515 ft
Max elevation: 2,303 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to climb a difficult, rugged, and awesome trail to one of the best views in the Hudson Valley (or anywhere else).

Breakneck Ridge: Long Loop

Scenery:
Difficulty: 10 out of 10 (crazy steep hike)
Highlights: insane views, rock scrambling
Distance: 3.7 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 Hours
Total ascent: 1,442 ft
Max elevation: 1,207 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take in some of the best views in the Hudson Valley, and you’re not afraid of doing some serious rock scrambling to see them.

Breakneck Ridge: Short Loop

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (short, ridiculously steep climb)
Highlights: gentle-ish descent, insane views, rock scrambling
Distance: 1.5 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours
Total ascent: 646 ft
Max elevation: 584 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take in some of the best views in the Hudson Valley, and you’re not afraid of doing some serious rock scrambling to see them. (Also, you want to bail out less than halfway up the mountain.)

Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus)

Scenery:
Difficulty: 7 out of 10 (steep climb)
Highlights: abandoned quarry, steep climbs, sweeping views
Distance: 3.6 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 Hours
Total ascent: 1,350 ft
Max elevation: 1,276 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to climb a mountain (don’t let the “Hill” part of the name fool you – this is a mountain) to see some of the best views in the Hudson Valley.

Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) II: Full Loop

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (long, steep haul over a big fat mountain)
Highlights: abandoned quarry, loopishness, ruins, steep climbs, sweeping views
Distance: 5.9 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4.5 Hours
Total ascent: 1,522 ft
Max elevation: 1,421 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re looking for a hard climb with several great views along the way. Also, you want to visit some ruins that will make you feel better about all the home improvement projects you’ve been putting off.

Bull’s Bridge

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 to 7 out of 10 (depending on how far you choose to go)
Highlights: covered bridge, riverside trails, small views
Distance: 5.1 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours (to Anderson Memorial Bridge and back), 3.5 hours (total) to add all three overlooks, too
Total ascent: 421 ft
Max elevation: 368 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to ogle a cool old covered bridge, stroll along a raging river and possibly climb a mountain for some pleasant views (that last part is quite optional). Also, you don’t mind sharing your outdoor experiences with lots of other people.

Burger Hill

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 out of 10 (very short climb up a steep-ish hill)
Highlights: Catskill views, sledding
Distance: .8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 45 Minutes
Total ascent: 200 ft
Max elevation: 546 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You like taking a very short hike to a big fat view.

Bushkill Falls

Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (moderately strenuous loop with significant climbs and a zillion stairs)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! $15 per hiker weekdays, $18 per hiker weekends (kids/senior rates cheaper)
Highlights: boardwalks, gift shop, several opportunities to part with your money, viewing platforms, waterfall
Distance: 3.0 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 2.5 hours
Total ascent: 709 ft
Max elevation: 874 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You enjoy gorgeous waterfalls, boardwalks, viewing platforms, stairs, and well-kept trails. Also, you don’t mind exiting nature through the gift shop.

Castle Craig

Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (steady climb with one quite steep, rocky section)
Highlights: honking trucks (if you do it right), incredible views, stone tower
Distance: 3.6 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 2 Hours
Total ascent: 802 ft
Max elevation: 951 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to storm a castle to plunder some of the best views in the area.

Cat Rocks

Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (short, steep hike)
Highlights: AT shelter, money spot, views
Distance: 2 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 717 ft
Max elevation: 1,155 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to stuff all the elements of a great hike into a 2-mile package.