With Kids: Five hikes for leaf peeping with your petite crew
With fall foliage in peak presentation and balmy weather begging us to spend our days outside, it’s nearly impossible not to spend the weekends hiking with the fam. Here are five North Fork trails to hit with the whole crew.
Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve, Riverside
This 165-acre preserve located off Lake Avenue in Riverside features a .9-mile loop with views of woodlands and wetlands that was once home to a cranberry farm. The trail is easy to navigate and well-established but does include bridges and narrow walkways that would not be ideal for a stroller. Kids will enjoy this short and family-friendly trail.
Peconic Dunes County Park, Peconic
Explore our favorite hilly trail at this county park. With a landscape including sand dunes, wetlands, woodlands, and Long Island Soundfront, this trail wins for the most diverse offerings. Mature children/seasoned hikers will love running up and down the sand dunes and navigating this otherworldly hike. Note: this trail is not stroller-friendly and does feature unexpected hilly terrain.
Downs Farm Preserve, Cutchogue
Hike and linger at this Cutchogue preserve featuring 51 acres of wetlands, woodlands, native gardens, a nature center, and more. Meander the .9-mile trail loop through scenic woods with views of Downs Creek. Pack a picnic to enjoy post-hike at the preserve’s natural wood bench area. Much of this trail is wide, mainly flat, and could be all-terrain stroller-friendly.
Husing Pond Preserve, Mattituck
This freshwater pond surrounded by stunning marshland and woodland is somewhat of a hidden gem. Located on Peconic Bay Blvd. in Mattituck, there is small signage marking the trailhead. Park across the street at Peconic Bay Park, stroll the mile-long trail, and discover the boardwalk and observation platform that provide peaceful views of Husing Pond.
Arshamomaque Preserve, Greenport
Wildlife plus a treehouse-style observation tower? Say no more. Nestled on Chapel Ln. in Greenport, kids of all ages love this 1.4-mile-loop hiking trail through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. The safe and sturdy observation tower is the ideal perch to view a plethora of wildlife. Kids will also enjoy bridges and paths and leading the way on this well-marked trail.