We are fortunate in Westchester County to have access to so many beautiful places to enjoy nature and the outdoors. This month, let’s celebrate and give thanks for this abundant beauty with three relaxed hikes near some of the county’s prettiest lakes.
Swan Lake Loop – Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville – Click here to view a map
One of the most beautiful walks in the Rockefeller Preserve takes visitors around Swan Lake. This flat loop, about 1-mile long, is perfect for every family. It is smooth and flat, making it good for strollers, and is very easy to access from the Preserve’s main parking area off of Rt. 117. From the visitor’s center, walk counter-clockwise around the lake. Kids love this trail. There is a stepping stone bridge just past the beginning of the loop and a fun little woodland trail that runs parallel to the main path that begins about 1/4 mile into the walk.
Teatown Lake – Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining – Click here to view a map
A visit to Teatown is an adventure in itself and a family could easily spend a day exploring the trails, attending one of the reservation’s fantastic environmental education programs or enjoying the animals and exhibits in their superb nature center. A great family hike is the Lakeside trail, which begins just outside of the center and hugs the shore of Teatown Lake in a 1.5 mile loop. This hike is longer and more rugged than Swan Lake, but is still an excellent choice for most families, however, baby carriers are suggested in lieu of strollers here.
Tarrytown Lakes & the North/South County Trailways, Tarrytown – Click here to view a map
Just up the hill from Tarrytown’s business district are two beautiful lakes that have a rich history. Originally used as a reservoir, the last drinking water was drawn from the lakes in 1992 and the area is now used solely as a recreational area. A paved path begins opposite a small parking area by a red shed on Neperan Road. The path is 1-mile long and can certainly be enjoyed by foot, however, it is a fantastic place for a family bike ride. It is smooth and flat and is an excellent spot for beginning riders to get the hang of being on two wheels. For families with older kids, crossing Neperan at the end of the path takes you along a sidewalk and up a short, steep hill where you can access the North and South County Trailways for a longer ride.
