Lost After Thanksgiving: 10 Hiking Trails in New York

The best way to digest a giant Thanksgiving meal is to go hiking, advises LohudHere are some routes.

McAndrews Manor, Oskawan Park, Croton

This easy 5-kilometer route passes through the ruins of the turn-of-the-19th-century McAndrews estate. It once housed a massive Victorian mansion, a full-size racing track with an elaborate two-story judges' stand, fountains, the Kruger mansion, and several other houses.

The ruins of this once-majestic estate are scattered throughout the area. Find parking at the trailhead at Oscawana Park, Cortlandt St., Croton-on-Hudson.

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

The picturesque Tarrytown Riverwalk-Sleepy Hollow

A recently opened section of this waterfront park runs along the shoreline around the former General Motors plant. It's a flat, accessible paved path offering stunning views of the Hudson River, the Mario Cuomo Bridge, the Palisades, and even Manhattan to the south. Highlights of the hike include a close-up view of the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, access to Kingsland Point Park, and dining at two restaurants: Hudson Farmer & The Fish and Rivermarket Bar & Kitchen.

There are plenty of benches along the waterfront and in the park. Parking is available at Pearson Park in Tarrytown or Edge-on-Hudson in Sleepy Hollow. Fees may apply, so be sure to read signs carefully.

For more information go to here:.

Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bike Path

The Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bike Path is a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) trail from Nyack to Haverstraw Beach Park. The route runs along the Hudson River and accommodates bikes, pedestrians, and hikers. A climb up the hill leads to the Long Path, a hiking trail between Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake. Three trails adjoining the Long Path allow for circular hikes of varying lengths. Parking is available at Nyack Beach Park (698 N. Broadway, New York City).

Bear Mountain Park

If the trails leading up Bear Mountain seem daunting, go to Plan B. Hike around Lake Hessen in the park (located right next to the Bear Mountain Inn) on a flat, paved trail that's 2,5 kilometers long.

From there, there are plenty of options for further hiking. Turn right at the zoo – there's another trail down to the Hudson River and Bear Mountain Pier. There are more challenging routes that connect with the Appalachian Trail and the Long Path. Others snake up to the top of Bear Mountain. Find a route map at Online.

Dogs are allowed on leashes on the trails. The park also offers cabins with various dining options and bathrooms. During the winter months, an outdoor skating rink is open, where skates can be rented.

The park is open daily, year-round, from 8am until sunset, and paid parking is available.

Franny Reese Park, Highland

The park's 4-kilometer trails follow a historic carriage road past the ruins of a 19th-century estate. A viewing platform offers magnificent views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Hudson River Walkway. A connecting trail connects the park to the Walkway Loop.

Admission is free and the park is open year-round, from sunrise to sunset. For more information, visit here:.

Norrie Point, Staatsburg

This 4-kilometer hike along the Hudson River is a great idea for a family picnic. The hike passes a stone boathouse, a gardener's cottage, and offers views of the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse.

After completing the hike, you can explore the grounds of the Mills Mansion, which offers tours and special events during the holidays.

Address: 9 Old Post Road, Staatsburg. For more information, go to here:.

Barnes Mine and Welch Loop Lake, Harriman Park

The eight-kilometer circular hike follows forest roads and trails past an old abandoned iron mine and Welch Lake. The route ends at a historic stone church built in 1880.

Tourists park on St. John's Road in Stony Point.

Trail to the Old Croton Aqueduct, Irvington

The Old Croton Aqueduct stretches 42 miles, from Croton Reservoir to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. This section begins on Main Street in Irvington (look for the trail near the old elementary school). It then heads north to Lyndhurst National Historic Site before returning to Irvington.

The well-packed dirt path is a quiet oasis, winding past estates, ordinary homes, and wooded areas overlooking the Hudson River. You'll share the road with walkers, runners, and cyclists.

In Lyndhurst, visitors will see a Gothic Revival mansion with its massive orangery, a 19th-century bowling pavilion, and several century-old beech and weeping willow trees. Tours of the mansion and its grounds are available. Visit the Mario Cuomo Bridge before returning to Irvington. For more information about the aqueduct, go to here:.

Alfred B. Delbello Muscut Farm, Somers

If you have children, this is a great option for both a nice walk with beautiful scenery and the chance to see the farm's animals, including cows, pigs, and chickens. Muscout Farm, a farm dating back to the early 1900s, is open year-round. It also boasts over seven miles of hiking trails through fields, woods, and wetlands. Trail maps are available at the visitor center. There's a large unpaved parking lot. The park is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m., year-round.

Address: Route 100, Somers. For more information, go to here:.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

There are many paths leading to the cemetery's historic districts. Incidentally, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those interested in history can Google it to learn more about those buried there—from Andrew Carnegie to IBM's Thomas Watson.

The Pocantico River flows through the cemetery grounds, which is also a certified arboretum with 28 species of trees, including white spruce, eastern hemlock, Austrian pine, black birch, and black cherry.

Address: 540 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow. The cemetery is open daily until 16:30 p.m. For more information, go to here:.