The Best Hiking Trails on Long Island in Fall

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Hiking Trails on Long Island

Explore Fall Foliage: Hiking Trails on Long Island for Autumn Adventures

As the crisp fall air settles over Long Island, the changing leaves transform the landscape into a picturesque autumn wonderland. For nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, there’s no better time to hit the trails and enjoy the vibrant colors that this season brings. Long Island is home to a variety of scenic hiking spots, ranging from tranquil coastal paths to dense forests, making it the perfect destination for fall hikes. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, here are some of the best Hiking Trails on Long Island to explore as the leaves turn.

Hiking Trails on Long Island
Hiking trails on Long Island

Walt Whitman Trail – West Hills

– Length: 8.2 miles  

– Difficulty: Easy  

Step into the world of one of America’s greatest poets as you walk the Walt Whitman Trail in West Hills. This trail leads you to Jayne’s Hill, Long Island’s highest point, where you can soak in sweeping ocean views that once inspired the poet himself. The trail begins at the Walt Whitman Birthplace and connects with the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, offering additional routes for exploration. Bring your dog along for the journey, and don’t forget to stop by the historic birthplace for a deeper dive into Whitman’s life and works.

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge – Sag Harbor

– Length: 1.2 miles  

– Difficulty: Easy  

For wildlife lovers, the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge is a dream come true. Located in Sag Harbor, this easy 1.2-mile loop brings you close to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and chipmunks, all accustomed to human visitors. Birdwatchers will delight in the many songbirds along the trail, and photographers will find no shortage of subjects. While dogs are not allowed, you can extend your walk to a pristine, two-mile beach to take in even more of the area’s natural beauty. Just remember not to feed the wildlife to keep the refuge safe and healthy for all its residents.

 Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve – Lloyd Harbor

– Length: Over 13 miles of trails  

– Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  

Spanning over 1,500 acres, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve offers a rich diversity of landscapes, including woodlands, meadows, and salt marshes. With more than 13 miles of trails, hikers can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the North Shore, where breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound await. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk or a longer, more challenging trek, Caumsetts trails have something for everyone.

Sunken Meadow State Park – Kings Park

– Length: 6 miles of trails  

– Difficulty: Easy  

Sunken Meadow State Park is a favorite among locals for its stunning mix of coastal and woodland environments. With six miles of trails, including the popular Boardwalk Trail along the Long Island Sound, hikers are treated to beautiful water views and vibrant fall foliage. For those seeking a more adventurous hike, the Greenbelt Trail takes you deeper into the forest and past scenic kettle hole ponds.

Cold Spring Harbor State Park – Cold Spring Harbor

– Length: 1.5 miles  

– Difficulty: Moderate  

If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, Cold Spring Harbor State Park is the perfect choice. This 1.5-mile segment of the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail winds through hilly terrain, providing a rewarding workout for hikers. Along the way, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Cold Spring Harbor and the surrounding hillsides, making it well worth the effort.

Muttontown Preserve – East Norwich

– Length: Several miles of trails  

– Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  

Muttontown Preserve is one of Long Island’s largest nature reserves, offering more than 550 acres of woodlands, meadows, and wetlands to explore. As you wander through the preserve’s many trails, you’ll encounter a wide range of wildlife, as well as the fascinating ruins of a Gold Coast mansion. The combination of natural beauty and historic intrigue makes this a must-visit spot for fall hiking.

Connetquot River State Park Preserve – Oakdale

– Length: Over 50 miles of trails  

– Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  

For those seeking a longer, more immersive experience, Connetquot River State Park Preserve offers over 50 miles of trails along the peaceful Connetquot River. Hike through pine barrens, wetlands, and hardwood forests as you take in the fall colors and spot local wildlife. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a serene spot to enjoy nature, this preserve offers endless possibilities.

Welwyn Preserve – Glen Cove

– Length: 4 miles of trails  

– Difficulty: Easy  

Nestled on 204 acres, Welwyn Preserve offers a tranquil escape with its mix of woodland, salt marsh, and beach habitats. The four miles of trails meander through peaceful surroundings, with stunning views of the Long Island Sound along the way. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities for observation, making this preserve a great spot for a leisurely fall hike.

Conclusion

Hiking Trails on Long Island
Hiking Trails on Long Island

As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, Hiking Trails on Long Island provide the perfect backdrop for a fall adventure. From coastal paths with stunning water views to quiet forest retreats, there’s no shortage of scenic trails to explore. Whether you’re out for a solo hike, a family walk, or a day with your dog, Long Island’s autumn trails offer an escape into nature at its most colorful.

For more Things To Do this Fall, click HERE!



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Melissa Farrell CEO
Melissa Farrell has a mission to support local business by "Going Local." As a local business owner herself, she understands the struggles entrepreneurs face when owning a business and is always trying to find ways to shine a spotlight onto them. Melissa started Going Local Tours & Experiences back in 2020 during the pandemic in hopes to bring people back into local restaurants and shops. She created food tours in Huntington, NY that would stop at 3-4 local businesses and gave the guests the chance to meet the owner and hear the story behind the business. She soon realized how powerful storytelling is when connecting people to local businesses and created options with local store owners as well to bring them onto the tour to share their story. Melissa wanted to expand out of Huntington to be able to support even more local businesses and started creating luxury picnics where she would bring local to you! She would find local businesses in the area of the picnic set up and deliver it to you offering ways to support over 3 local businesses at each picnic. This wasn't enough. She wanted to find a better way to help spread awareness of local businesses and share their stories. Enter Evangeline Knell...a woman with over 30 years of broadcasting experience who somehow convinced Melissa to host a 3 day live stream from the Huntington Fall Festival. She had never been on camera before, but working alongside Evie to create the 3 shows, gave Melissa the confidence to take on the challenge. The 3 shows produced focused on the local vendors, the food trucks and the events that occurred at the festival and had a much larger reach than Melissa could ever of done on her own. They soon realized a business partnership was needed and combined their two businesses, Identity Digital which is a production company and Going Local Tours and Experiences to form Going Local Media. Evie and Melissa even formed their own distribution outlet by creating Going Local TV, a streaming platform like Netflix or YouTube, that is all about local businesses, events and organizations on Long Island. There are over 200 videos including their podcast series "Let's Get Local" "Long Island Business Minds" and "Local Business Spotlight" that help spread awareness of our local businesses and Long Island Professionals. They are always thinking up new ways to support local, including this site, Going Local Long Island is a directory of articles on how to Go Local on Long Island. We appreciate you taking the time to read this and for supporting local! Thank you!
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