Thirteen stunning hiking spots right in NYC

You think you need to go somewhere far away for good hiking, but in fact it is getting closer than you think. New York City has over 30 acres of parkland and hundreds of nature trails to explore. New Yorkers don't have to travel very far to enjoy nature, from the Green Belt of Staten Island, which is three times the size of Central Park, to ecologically diverse forests in Van Cortlandt and salt marshes in Marine Park. Edition 6sqft has compiled a list of 13 places right in the city where you can go hiking with great views.

Bronx

Bronx River Greenway

Stretching along the Bronx River between the Bronx and Westchester County, the 23-mile (37 km) Bronx River Greenway provides a scenic waterfront tour. You will be able to visit several parks, including Soundview Park and its restored salt marsh, an abandoned concrete plant converted to a waterfront park, and Hunts Point Riverside Park. The Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens are nearby. Here you can relax while hiking.

Bronx River Forest

Bronx River Forest - one of the oldest forests in New York, where you can take a break from the bustle of the city. As a result of the recently completed restoration project, the river floodplain has returned to its natural state. The park has two fairly gentle trails about a mile (1,6 km) long, making them a good spot for beginners. Must-see rest stops include the Burke Bridge, ideal for birdwatching or kayaking on the river below, and the River Lookout, where you can admire the area's many native trees and wildlife.

Cass-Gallagher

The Cass-Gallagher nature trail, located in the northwestern part of Van Cortlandt Park. It is a green area of ​​1146 acres (463 ha) with many diverse ecosystems and natural features. Here you can walk about 1,4 miles (2,25 km) of trail. Located just a short walk from Broadway and Mosholu Avenue, the trail runs through the center of Northwest Forest.

Trail John Muir

There is also a John Muir trail in Van Kortlandt Prak. This is the only trail in the park that runs from east to west. The 1,5-mile (2,4 km) trail runs through three different parks, including Northwest Forest, Croton Woods, and Old Croton Aqueduct. The John Muir Trail connects to the Old Croton Aqueduct, a 2,3-mile (3,7 km) stretch formerly part of the Croton Dam, which was built in the late 1800s to supply water to New York City.

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Kazimiroff trail

The Bronx is full of surprises, one of which is Hunter Island, a stunning waterfront wildlife sanctuary in Pelham Bay Park. The territory contains the largest continuous oak forest in the park, as well as tidal wetlands and woodlands. The Casimiroff Trail, named after Bronx historian and conservationist Theodore Casimiroff, wraps around the island with two separate forest paths offering scenic views of the park and Orchard Beach.

Brooklyn

Prospect Park

Prospect Park is home to Brooklyn's only natural forest. It is the perfect place to explore nature, whether cycling, running or hiking. The 526-acre (212 ha) park has several trails ranging from half a mile to a mile in length, making it another good park for beginners and families alike. The Midwood Trail, for example, which starts near Audubon Center in the park and leads through Brooklyn's oldest forest, preserved during the park's construction in the 1870s. Another not-to-miss trail is the Falls Trail, which follows the trail of Fallkill Falls, one of six waterfalls on this trail.

Salt Marsh Trail

The largest park in Brooklyn, the Marine Sanctuary, covers an area of ​​530 acres (214 hectares) and consists of salt marshes and grasslands surrounding the freshwater Gerritsen Creek. Due to the variety of habitats, the park has attracted over 200 species of birds and 100 species of fish. The two main trails begin at the Salt Marsh Nature Center, a community and educational center that hosts programs and environmental workshops in addition to guided tours. The trail includes a number of scenic viewpoints, including the White Island Observation Deck, which overlooks the stream and offers views northward all the way to Manhattan, and the Mudflat Observation Deck, located on the west side of the ring trail, where tidal banks and reclaimed wetlands are visible. ...

Queens

Forest Park

Forest Park, with 543 acres (220 ha), is the third largest park in Queens. It is home to the largest continuous oak forest in the area, and there is no shortage of nature in the park. Forest Park has three marked hiking trails, including the 1,7 mile (2,7 km) Blue Trail, 2,4 miles (3,8 km) Orange Trail, and 1,6 mile Yellow Trail (2,7 ,100 km). Some notable stops along the trail include Pine Grove, home to over XNUMX years of pine trees, the Richmond Hill War Memorial, and Strack Pond.

Jamaica Bay Game Reserve

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of those places that many New Yorkers do not even know existed. Located next to John F. Kennedy Airport, the reserve is home to freshwater ponds, salt marshes and hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife. Visitors can explore two main trails, one around the West Pond and the other around the East Pond.

Alley Pond Park

Alley Pond Park is a massive ecologically diverse park with 635 acres (256 hectares) of grassland, ponds, forests, and marshes that attract a variety of bird species. There are several trails in the park, from the 0,7 mile (1,1 km) Blue Trail to the 2,2 miles (3,5 km) Yellow and White Trail. If you want to see one of the park's top attractions, head to the Tulip Trail to see a giant pond, a 133-foot (40 m) tall tulip tree that is estimated to be between 350 and 450 years old. Alley Pond, a non-profit environmental center, is located right off North Boulevard, which runs community programs and activities related to the park's conservation.

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Manhattan

Inwood Hill Park

This park is home to the last remaining natural forest in Manhattan - the area's prehistoric roots. The park has three official routes: the Blue Trail, a moderate 1,7-mile (2,7 km) hike overlooking the Jersey Palisades, the Orange Trail, a 1,3-mile (2 km) trail that runs past incredible rock formations, and the White Trail for Beginners - a trail with excellent views of the Hudson River.

Staten Island

Greenbelt

Greenbelt, located in the center of Staten Island, offers several routes ideal for all skill levels. Greenbelt, covering nearly 3000 acres (1 hectares) of land, consists of both natural areas and public parks. According to the Greenbelt Conservancy, there are six main routes in the park, ranging from easy to difficult.

Glove Lakes Park

This 193-acre (78 ha) park is a protected nature reserve full of hills, lakes, ponds, and a 300-year-old tulip tree over 100 feet (30 m) tall. This park has a trail of just over 2 miles (3,2 km) that leads pedestrians around Lake Klov and Martling.