Lost After Thanksgiving: 10 Hiking Trails in New York

The best way to digest a giant Thanksgiving meal is to eat all the leftovers the next day? Get rid of it. Hiking after Thanksgiving is the best decision and tradition for many, advises Lohud.

The following places are available (parking is easily accessible) and are ideal for a stroll or a quick walk. That way you can get home in time to pick up the last piece of pumpkin pie.

McAndrews Manor, Oskawan Park, Croton

This easy 5km hike passes through the ruins of the turn of the 19th century McAndrews estate. There was once a huge Victorian mansion here, a full-size race track with an elaborate two-story judging stand, fountains, Kruger's mansion, several other houses. As well as all the livestock, machinery and personnel needed to run a large working farm. The ruins of this once majestic estate are scattered throughout the area. Find parking at the beginning of the route in Oskawan Park, st. Kortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson.

On the subject: The best itineraries to travel in New York for the weekend

Tarrytown Picturesque Waterfront - Sleepy Hollow Waterfront

A newly opened section of this waterfront park stretches along the coastline around the former General Motors assembly plant. This is a flat, accessible paved path that offers great views of the Hudson River, Massachusetts. The Mario Cuomo Bridge, the Palisades, and even the Manhattan skyline to the south. Highlights include a close-up view of Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse (which is under renovation), access to Kingsland Point Park, and the chance to eat at two restaurants: Hudson Farmer & The Fish and Rivermarket Bar & Kitchen. There are many benches along the embankment and in the park. Parking is available at Pearson Park in Tarrytown or Edge-on-Hudson in Sleepy Hollow. Fees may apply, so read signs carefully.

For more information: scenichudson.org/explore-the-valley

Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bike Path

The 12-kilometer Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bike Path runs from Nyack to Haverstraw Beach State Park. The route runs along the banks of the Hudson and accommodates bikes, walkers, and hikers. Climbing the hill will take you to the Long Trail hiking trail, a route between Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake. Three connecting paths to the Long Trail—one each at the north, south, and midpoints of the Huk frontage—allow for circuitous hikes of various lengths. Parking is available at Nyack Beach State Park, 698 N. Broadway, New York. parks.ny.gov .

Bear Mountain State Park

If the trails leading to Bear mountain seem intimidating, go to plan B. Walk around Lake Hesse in the park (located right next to the Bear Mountain Inn) on a 2,5 kilometer flat paved trail. There are plenty of options out there. Turn right at the zoo. There will be another trail down to the Hudson River and the Bear mountain pier. There are more challenging trails that connect with the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail. Others snake towards the top of Bear mountain. Find the route map at parks.ny.gov/parks . Walking dogs on a leash is allowed on the trails. And in the park there is a lodge with various food options and bathrooms. During the winter months, there is an outdoor skating rink where you can rent skates. The park is open daily, all year round, from 8 am to sunset. Parking is $10 per vehicle on weekends.

Franny Reese State Park, Highland

The 4 km trails in this park follow the historic carriage road past the ruins of a 19th century manor. And from the observation deck you have a magnificent view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the footpath across the Hudson. A link connects the park to the Walkway Loop. Admission is free and the park is open all year round from sunrise to sunset. Johnson-Iorio Park, Haviland Road, Highland. For more information: parks.ny.gov/parks/frannyreese/maps.aspx

Norrie Point, Staatsburg

This 4-kilometer hike along the banks of the Hudson River is a great idea for a family picnic. Parking is available at the Staatsburg State Historic Center (Mills Mansion). The hike passes a stone boat house, a gardener's house and a view of the Esopus Meadows lighthouse. When you're done hiking, you can explore the grounds of the Mills Mansion, which offers guided tours and special events around the holidays. 9 Old Post Road, Staatsburg. For more information go to parks.ny.gov/parks/millsnorrie/details.aspx

Barnes Mine and Welch Loop, Harriman State Park

The eight-kilometer circular hike follows forest roads and paths past an old abandoned iron mine and through the flooded village that formed Lake Welch. The route ends at the historical stone church of 1880. Barnes Mine is located on the south slope of Mt. Polbrook in Harriman State Park on a site purchased in 1846 by Isaac Barnes. It ceased operations around 1880. Lake Welch was established in 1928 at what was then known as Beaver Pond. Sandy Field was a community of about 30 houses that flooded when the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission dammed swampy Beaver Pond. Tourists park on St. John's Road at Stony Point, Harriman State Park, parks.ny.gov/parks/145 .

Trail to the Old Croton Aqueduct, Irvington

The OCA stretches for 42 kilometers, from Croton Reservoir to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. This section starts on Main Street in Irvington (look for the trail near the old elementary school). It then heads north towards Lyndhurst National Historic Site before you return to Irvington. There is street parking and several parking lots. The well-groomed dirt path is a quiet oasis that wraps around estates, ordinary homes, and wooded areas overlooking the Hudson River. You will share the road with pedestrians, joggers and people on bikes. In Lyndhurst, visitors will see the Gothic Revival mansion and its massive conservatory, a 19th-century bowling pavilion, and several hundred-year-old beech and weeping willow trees. Visit the Mario Cuomo Bridge before returning to Irvington. Tours of the mansion and its grounds are organized for guests. For more information about the aqueduct, follow the link parks.ny.gov/parks/oldcrotonaqueduct/details

Alfred B. Delbello Muscut Farm, Somers

If you have children, this is a great option for both a nice walk through the beautiful scenery and a chance to visit the farm's animals, including cows, pigs and chickens. Muskut is an early 1900s farm that is open all year round. But there's also over seven miles of hiking trails through fields, forests, and wetlands. Route maps are available from the reception center. There is a large underground car park. The park is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 all year round. Route 100, Somers. For more information go to parks.westchestergov.com/muscootfarm

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow

It may sound strange, but every year after Thanksgiving, this is where my family used to go after dinner! There are many paved roads and others paved with rubble leading to more historic areas of the cemetery. By the way, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Those with an interest in history will google to learn more about those buried here, from Andrew Carnegie to IBM's Thomas Watson. And here is also the modest final resting place of Paul Warburg, who was once one of the richest people in the world. And, according to rumors, served as a model for the character of Papa Warbucks from the cartoon "Little Orphan Annie." The Pocantico River runs through the property, which is also a certified arboretum with 28 species of trees including white spruce, oriental hemlock, Austrian pine, black birch and black cherry. 540 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow.

Open daily, all gates close at 16:30. For more information go to http://sleepyhollowcemetery.org