Peach Hill Park

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 out of 10
Highlights: Orchard Walk, Views
Distance: 1.65 miles, Partial Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1 Hour
Total ascent: ft
Max elevation: ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re looking for a pleasant stroll (with views!) right in Poughkeepsie’s backyard.

Poets’ Walk

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 out of 10 (leisurely meander with some inclines)
Highlights: Gazebo, Roses (red), Views, Violets (blue)
Distance: 2.4 miles, Partial Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1 Hour
Total ascent: 305 ft
Max elevation: 221 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re looking for some beautiful views without having to do too much sweating.

Popolopen Torne

Scenery:
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 (a few very steep sections, some rock scrambling)
Highlights: Amazing views, Monument And Benches At Summit, Rock Scrambling
Distance: 4.7 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 3.5 Hours
Total ascent: 1,308 ft
Max elevation: 931 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take in some amazing Hudson Valley views, and you’re not afraid to scramble up some rocks to see ‘em. Also, you have the ability to pretend that road noise is just really loud wind rustling through the leaves. Oh, and you want to do every hike in the area that sounds like a Harry Potter spell. POPOLOPEN TORNE! (You’re a porcupine now.)

Race Mountain (Mount Race)

Scenery:
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 (rugged climb with some stream-hopping and steep sections)
Highlights: Awesome Trails, Campsites, Views, Waterfall
Distance: 7.1 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 5 Hours
Total ascent: 2,080 ft
Max elevation: 2,360 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to traverse some of the most beautiful trails in the area, see some pretty waterfalls, and check out a nice view at the top.

Rand’s View

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (long, gradual climb)
Highlights: Appalachian Trail, Gorgeous Meadow, Panoramic Views
Distance: 5.3 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 Hours
Total ascent: 1,395 ft
Max elevation: 1,480 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’d like to visit a one-of-a-kind meadow with awesome views, and you’re not scared to climb over a mountain to get there.

Red Hill fire tower

Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (hilly stroll with some steep-ish stretches)
Highlights: fire tower, Great Views, Totally sweet outhouse, wonderful Catskill vibe
Distance: 2.8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 2.5 hours
Total ascent: 837 ft
Max elevation: 3,057 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a relatively short stroll to a fire tower with a gorgeous view of the Catskills. Also, you appreciate attention to detail in your outhouses.

Red Wing Recreation Area

Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (short hike up a medium-sized hill with steep sections)
Highlights: Pleasant Trails, Quick Hike, Scenic Overlook
Distance: 2 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 619 ft
Max elevation: 729 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re looking for a short hike to a surprisingly nice payoff, all within view of the pizza place where you may decide to stuff your gullet later.

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.
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.

Schunemunk Mountain

Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (long hike up and down a big fat mountain)
Highlights: Megaliths, Varied Terrain, Views
Distance: 6.4 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 Hours
Total ascent: 1,723 ft
Max elevation: 1,658 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to climb a big ol’ mountain to sit on some huge rocks with awesome views.

Shaupeneak Ridge

Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Highlights: Beautiful Woods, Lake That Belongs In Maine, Views
Distance: 2.2 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: ft
Max elevation: ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want a great hike with views and a lake, but you’re not looking for much in the way of elevation change (though you could climb a steep ridge if you’re so inclined — there are two parking lots for this hike, so the degree of difficulty depends on where you park. We’re parking in the wimpy upper lot today, but feel free to tackle this hike from the burly lower lot.)

Silver Sands State Park

Scenery:
Difficulty: 3 out of 10 (flat, sandy, rocky stroll with the potential for going the full Gilligan and getting stranded on a desert isle)
Highlights: Hermit Crabs, Magical Beach Walkway
Distance: 2.6 miles, Partial Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 2 hours (or 4 hours, if you bring my kids)
Total ascent: 127 ft
Max elevation: 45 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to walk on a magical highway of shells and rocks to an island just off the coast of Connecticut.

Stissing Mountain

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (steep, relatively short climb)
Highlights: Awesome Views, fire tower
Distance: 1.9 miles, Partial Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 2 - 3 Hours
Total ascent: 926 ft
Max elevation: 1,415 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You’re looking for a steep climb to a big payoff. And also, you think it sounds like fun to climb a swaying, 90-ft structure in the middle of the woods.