The 6 Best Hiking Spots On Long Island
Exploring the outdoors is one of my favorite parts of travelling. I feel my best when I’m off hiking, looking for wildlife, or admiring nature’s beauty from the summit of a mountain. But what about when I’m at home on Long Island?
We don’t have mountains to climb or bears to track here, that’s for sure. And yet, that has never stopped me from spending all the time that I can enjoying what nature has to offer here.
Below, you can find a list of my favorite places to get outside on Long Island.
BUT - Before you venture out, make sure you brush up on your trail etiquette! In order to keep the outdoors enjoyable for the people and wildlife around you, it’s suggested to follow a few rules:
Don’t bring music speakers on the trail. Wear headphones if you want to listen to music, or better yet, listen to the sounds of nature.
Yelling while on the trail (unless you’re in danger) can scare away wildlife and can disturb other hikers.
LEAVE NO TRACE - Don’t litter! Use trash cans or pack out your garbage.
Take only pictures - Leave rocks, plants, flowers, and other items where you found them.
Stay on the trail by following trailblazes. Hiking off trail can harm the surrounding plants and can damage wildlife habitats.
And lastly, remember to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, check for ticks, and keep a first aid kit nearby just in case.
Now, let’s get out there!
My all time favorite place to get outside for a hike on Long Island is Caumsett State Park. There are paved trails, bridle paths, and regular hiking trails through the woods and along the shoreline. Because this park is so big, you can hike there for hours and truly feel like you are deep in the woods. It is extremely common to see red tail hawks, deer, ravens, and shorebirds at this park. My favorite trail is the Caumsett State Historic Park Perimeter Loop, which clocks in at 5.2 miles. View this trail on AllTrails.
West Hills County Park
Melville
Info Website -
Free
West Hills County Park has tons of space for outdoor activities, but my favorite is the hike to Jayne's Hill. Jayne's Hill is the highest point on Long Island at a (staggering!!!!) 401 feet. At the summit (if you can call it that) of the hill is a plaque housing a poem written by Walt Whitman, the famous poet who was born nearby. Start at the West Hills Big Dog Run parking lot and take the Walt Whitman Trail for the Jayne's Hill Loop. There are lots of overlapping trails in this park, so feel free to explore! Just keep your eye out for the horses who use the trail too. You find the trail guide here.
Muttowntown Preserve has been one of my favorite places to get outside on Long Island for a long time now because of its uniqueness. This massive piece of property has plenty of trails that are great for hiking and birdwatching but what makes this preserve special, however, is its history. The land was once owned by KING ZOG, the last king of Albania. A huge granite mansion existed the property and decayed in abandonment until it was demolished in 1959. However, the grafitti-covered remains of the mansion can be seen along the hiking trails in the preserve, making for an interesting (and sometimes eerie) hike. The see the mansion's remains, follow King Zog's trail. The ruins can also be found at 40.825731182139755, -73.5362948561201 on your phone's map.
Massapequa Preserve spans a long distance north to south from Merrick Road all the way to the Southern State Parkway and has plenty of trails for walking and wildlife for observing. The southern part of the park includes Massapequa Lake, which is home to many species of birds like Bald Eagles and Great Blue Heron. I'd recommend parking along the lake on Ocean Avenue and following the dirt trail that hugs the water. The north side of the park is larger but can be more crowded. Still, the trails are easy to follow and give great birding opportunities. You can park in two different spots: along Sunrise Highway for a quick loop around the pond, or at the ballpark if you're looking to do a longer walk through the woods. I'd recommend following the Nassau/Suffolk Greenbelt Trail in either part of the park for the most integrated nature experience.
Also note that Massapequa Preserve connects to the paved Bethpage Bikeway trail and is a great place for bike riding, so look out for bikers!
Cold Spring Harbor State Park is the perfect spot to get a cardio workout on a weekend morning. This park is full of hills, making this hike more challenging than some of the flatter trails on Long Island. The good news is that the trails wind around the forest, so you can expect lots of shade. The trailhead is located in the village of Cold Spring Harbor and parking fills up quickly. Arrive early for the best spot and bring lots of water. The park is relatively small, so if you want to continue onward, you can follow the Long Island Greenbelt Trail south into Trail View State Park.
Cathedral Pines County Park is located further east on the island than the other places I’ve mentioned here, but it is a winter and early springtime gem. The pine barrens here stay green all year long, making the trails at this park feel lush and green even on the dreariest of days. The trail here is about 6 miles and is relatively flat, making this a great spot for a leisurely nature walk through the trees or a brisk hike. This is also a popular park for mountain biking, so be careful of bikers on the trail. Highly recommended!
