—Zach Sandler, Environmental Educator

Staying active during the winter can be tough; the days are shorter and we want to stay inside away from the cold. Finding ways to move is extremely important, not only for your physical health, but for your mental health as well. Some of the benefits of exercising outside in winter include: increasing your endurance, boosting your immunity, improving your mood and energy, and even burning more calories than you would during the summer. Hiking is a great way to stay active during the winter months. If you’re looking for some hiking options outside of Rye this winter, check out these Hudson Valley trails that are great for all skill levels!

Bear Mountain State Park is a beautiful place to hike during the winter. With more than 50 trails spanning over 5,200 acres, there is a trail for everyone, no matter your experience level. Trail difficulty ranges from easy, to moderate, to hard, with the shortest trail measuring 0.6 miles and the longest 13.5 miles. Additionally, Bear Mountain State Park offers guests the chance to ice skate, ride a carousel, and visit their zoo! The Hessian Lake Loop is perfect for an afternoon walk with the family. This trail is a relatively flat, 1.4-mile loop around the lake. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. The Bear Mountain Loop trail is a moderately rated trail--great for those that want a slightly longer and tougher challenge. It is 3.8 miles long and has a total elevation gain of approximately 1,000 feet.

Picture from scenichudson.org

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Cranberry Lake Preserve is a 190-acre park located in North White Plains. Trails are open daily, year-round from 8:00 a.m. until dusk. Their six trails are rated easy and are color coded Blue, Purple (History Trail), Orange, Red, White, and Yellow. They range in distance from 1 mile to 2.4 miles. Hikers can learn about the area’s past via numbered markers along the Purple History Trail. The Blue Loop circles Cranberry Lake and the South Pond where you can find a Bird Observation Tower. Migratory birds use the preserve as a safe place to rest on their journey. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful Old Quarry, which has a small elevation gain of 450 feet and has plenty of places where kids can carefully climb some rocks. Dogs are not allowed.

Picture from: happydaywestchester.org

Picture from: jrichardabbott.com

Westmoreland Sanctuary is a 640-acre wildlife preserve located at the intersection of Bedford, Mount Kisco, and Armonk. They have 8.5 miles of hiking trails, along with a free Natural Science Museum. The trails are open from dawn to dusk all year long. The Westmoreland Sanctuary South Loop is rated easy with a length of 2.6 miles. It is a lovely wooded sanctuary with many intersecting, well-maintained walking paths. For more of a challenge, try the Westmoreland Grand Tour. It is a 5.3 mile moderately rated loop with an elevation gain of nearly 800 feet. If you are interested in bird-watching, then Westmoreland is for you; they have documented 139 different species of birds within the diverse types of habitats available at the preserve.

Picture from: alltrails.com

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Rockefeller State Park Preserve is located in Pleasantville, NY and is made up of over 1,700 acres of land donated by Rockefeller Family. The 45 miles of trails are wide and well-maintained because they were originally designed and used as horse carriage paths by John D. Rockefeller. The preserve is home to over 200 different species of birds as well as favorite local animals like racoons, squirrels, chipmunks, turtles, deer, frogs, and many other residents. The Swan Lake Loop trail is 1.4 miles in length, an easy-rated trail, and it is accessible for all skill levels. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept on leash. The views of the lake are beautiful, especially during the winter. Raven’s Rock via the Ferguson Lake Trail is an out and back moderately rated trail. It is kid-friendly and is particularly beautiful in the snow.