Mark F 10/22/21 Mark F 10/22/21

Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower, Rhinebeck, NY

Trail Description: This is a short hike that brings you to a fire tower with stunning panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains.

Trail Info:

Where: Rhinebeck, NY Distance: 1.4 miles (1 hour) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Out & Back Features: Views, Mountains, Water, Pond, River, Fire Tower

How to get there:

68 Mt. Rutsen Road Rhinebeck, NY 12572

https://goo.gl/maps/cXzcj8ZLTL8BxYBh7

Hiking Tips

A busy spot for nice weather and fall foliage.
There are multiple hiking trails in this park, plan your route.

The Hike

From the parking lot, there is a kiosk where you can view the trail map. The yellow-blazed trail starts past the gate. Proceed with the yellow-blazed trail as it inclines gradually along the gravel road. The signage is pretty good on this trail and there are signs to the fire tower.

In about 5 minutes, the trail reaches a pond and there will be a cabin with a sign marked “TOWER” .

And, once you pass the cabin, there is a lean-to that points to the right to continue on the yellow-blazed trail marked “TOWER”. That is the trail you want to be on.

The path continues to climb slowly. There will be another lean-to on the trail and at about another 0.6 miles, the fire tower will be on the left. There are multiple paths that lead to the tower. This is the shortest route. Once my wife and I arrived, there was already a line to go up to the tower. Only 10 people can fit at a time and even that is a stretch. Only family and friend groups were going up.

Once we got up to the top, the panoramic views were amazing! Views of the Hudson River, Catskills, and the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. The fall colors were really popping. This is a great spot for sunset or sunrise. We didn’t get to spend as much time as we wanted up top as we wanted to be considerate to others waiting in line. We returned the same way we came but you could get back to the parking lot a different way.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

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Poets’ Walk Park, Red Hook, NY

Trail Description: Poets’ Walk Park is an easy jaunt through scenic meadows that offers wonderful views of the Hudson River and Catskills.

Trail Info:

Where: Red Hook, NY Distance: 2.4m (1.5 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Water, River, Bridge

How to get there:

776 River Road, (County Road 103) Red Hook, NY

https://goo.gl/maps/y9V6GaXcWxRzqd6P9

Hiking Tips

Walk the entire loop. Many see the views of the bridge initially and turn around.
Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!
For trail map, click HERE.

The Hike

As I continue to look for the best bang for your buck views, I really don’t think it gets better than taking a stroll through Poets’ Walk Park in the fall. The Hudson Valley is full of amazing landscape and mountainous views. Most of those views require challenging hiking. However, a leisurely stroll in Poets’ Walk Park offers stunning views of the Catskills and the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

From the parking lot, begin walking on the gravel road by the trail signage. Continuing straight through the open field will lead you to a gazebo structure. Walking through the gazebo, there is the first “oh snap” view of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge with the Catskills looming in the background. There is a neat little wooden bench to take a seat and enjoy the views.

The trail will split from here, where the loop begins. Either direction will bring you back to this spot. We chose left heading toward the river. Some great views of Catskills to the right and a closer view of the bridge to the left. The loop will begin on the right and suddenly you will find myself thwarted into the woods. There will be a few bridges to cross. If you need a moment of solitude, the Summerhouse gazebo area is a good spot to take a seat and look out into the mountains above the river.

From the Summerhouse structure, just retrace your steps back to the trail split and head on back to the parking lot. Easy peasy. The skies cleared on our the way back and the fall colors really popped. Just incredible views.

Depending on how long you choose to explore, take pictures, and enjoy the benches, this shouldn’t take more than an hour and half, give or take. Definitely one of those places I considered keeping to myself but the place was crazy packed. There is no secret here. It’s a spectacular park to visit for stunning views.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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Walkway over the Hudson

Walkway Over the Hudson. What an amazing view! This isa bridge for walkers and runners and bikers only in the Hudson Valley in NY. A beautiful view of the Hudson River.

Trail Description: The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian walkway.

Trail Info:

Where: Walkway over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY Distance: ~2.5m (1.5-2 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Out and Back Features: Bridge, Hudson River, Views, Beach

How to get there: This is the address I used for the West entrance on the Highland side. Once you approach the area, you will see the parking.

87 Haviland Road
Highland, NY 12528

If you would like to park at the East entrance in Poughkeepsie, this is the address to enter:

61 Parker Ave
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

This link is helpful also, https://walkway.org/visit/frequently-asked-questions/.

Hiking Tips:

The Highland side has more parking.
Can be very crowded. Plan accordingly.

Walkway over the Hudson, Hudson Valley, New York

The Hike:

You know what they say, your girlfriend is always right. I can’t argue with that. While in upstate NY recently, Nichole suggested we would visit the Walkway Over the Hudson over a local hike. A simple walk over a bridge I say. Come on, I need stouter material for the blog. Some knowledge I was not aware of, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian walkway. You read that right, in the whole entire world! The walkway extends 1.28 miles and hovers 212 feet over the Hudson River connecting Ulster and Dutchess counties in Poughkeepsie, NY. On this walkway you will see great views of Poughkeepsie, Mid-Hudson Bridge and Hudson Highlands. This has been open to the public only since 2009. I was skeptical but once I got there I was enthusiastic. I said to her, “Why haven’t we done this already?!? This is awesome!”

We decided to park on the Highland side as this tends to be easier to park with less of a crowd and ample parking. As I say about most outdoors activities in the Hudson Valley, prepare for a crowd. We went later in the day on a Sunday, so it wasn’t too bad. The NYC visitors probably needed to jump on a train to head back to the city.

As we made our way through the parking lot, we crossed train tracks and strolled through an open area where restrooms are located, multiple food trucks, and other vendors. A very cool spot to hang out before or after your walk.

Soon after we stepped on the bridge, I immediately saw the amazing views of why so many people visit this walkway. I saw the Mid-Hudson Bridge to my right and an open view of the Hudson to my left. The entire walk consisted of wonderful views. My head was on a swivel. For those curious about being on a bridge so high up, it feels very secure. The concrete makes this feel like just another sidewalk. Aside from the amazing landscapes views, this is definitely some great people watching material. You will see people walking dogs, baby strollers, running, power walking, bike riding, roller blading, you name it. And, lots of selfies. Beneath the bridge, you may see barges, boats, or some annoying person on a loud jet ski perusing the Hudson.

The walk can be as far as you like. You can stop anytime bridge and turn around to head back. We walked to the end of the bridge and back. If you live nearby, this is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors without too much demanding activity. Also, this is ADA compliant. There is an area to take an elevator up (closes certain times of the year). I would be a regular for sure. There are great pictures to be had here. Another successful exploration in the books and more lessons learned. Always listen to your girlfriend.