Long Island has thousands of miles of hiking trails through woods, fields and sand. Many are suitable for kids, and some have guided tours. Take a look at some of the best bets for hiking trails in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
FIRE ISLAND WILDERNESS
Hike the Fire Island Wilderness trail that leads down to the ocean beach at Smith Point County Park in Shirley, 3.5 miles from the visitors center. Credit: Randee Daddona
Hike from east or west in the state's only federally designated wilderness area and experience undeveloped barrier island beaches. More info: 631-281-3010, nps.gov/fiis
LONG ISLAND GREENBELT TRAIL
A hiking path in Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Credit: Howard Simmons
Stretching 32 miles along the Connetquot and Nissequogue rivers. National Recreation Trail goes from Heckscher State Park on Great South Bay to Sunken Meadow bluffs on Long Island Sound. Access at Connetquot River State Park Preserve on the south (Sunrise and Montauk highways), and on the north at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Jericho Turnpike between bull statue and Old Willets Path (preserve open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. April-October) and Nissequogue River State Park (St. Johnland Road). Other accesses at Heckscher State Park (Field 7) and Sunken Meadow State Park (Field 3). More info: ligreenbelt.org
LONG ISLAND PINE BARRENS TRAIL
A hiking trail leads through the Long Island State Pine Barrens Preserve in Manorville. Credit: David L. Pokress
Nearly 50 miles of footpaths in eastern Suffolk County. Meanders past swamps, ponds and overlooks from Rocky Point to Shinnecock Canal. Includes Rocky Point Preserve, Pine Trail Preserve, Peconic River watershed, Maple Swamp and Sears Bellows County Park. Hike this trail or park a vehicle (contact the DEC for a permit). Other access at Pine Trail Preserve parking area on Route 25, a half-mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Trail is part of the 130-mile Paumanok Path that runs from Rocky Point to Shinnecock Canal, with a few links in Southampton that lead from East Hampton border to Montauk Point. More info: pb.state.ny.us
MASHOMACK PRESERVE HIKING TRAIL
Loops 1½ to 10 miles long wind through the 2,350-acre preserve’s oak-hickory forest, across open meadows and beside freshwater ponds and salt marshes. 1-mile wheelchair and stroller-friendly trail and 1⁄8-mile boardwalk also available. Visitor Center bathrooms are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Parking at Visitor Center (79 S. Ferry Rd., Shelter Island). More info: 631-749-4219, nature.org/mashomack
NASSAU-SUFFOLK TRAIL
20 miles between Massapequa Preserve and Cold Spring Harbor. South entrance on Ocean Avenue, north of Merrick Road. Trail follows the shore of Caroons Lake to a log bridge, where vegetation begins to change to pine barrens. North of the preserve, the trail parallels Bethpage Parkway. Additional access from west side of picnic area parking lot in Bethpage State Park and Trail View State Park parking areas north of Old Country Road and Washington Avenue. The hilly north section ends at Cold Spring Harbor State Park on Route 25A. Stretch of Nassau-Suffolk Trail between Stillwell Woods in Syosset and Route 25A in Cold Spring Harbor has trees not in the pine barrens. It ends at a Greenbelt parking area near Cold Spring Harbor Library on Route 25A. Free parking.
Cold Spring Harbor State Park features a series of hills and steep up- and downgrades, with the highest point at an elevation of 300 feet. Credit: Rick Kopstein
NORTHWEST PATH
6- to 7-mile path in East Hampton Town, includes a section of Paumanok Path (125-mile path from Rocky Point to Montauk), which winds through oak and hickory forest, where understory is mostly lowbush blueberry and black huckleberry. Immense white pine groves may be traversed through the Chatfield’s Hole and Grace Estate properties. Trail’s end at Cedar Point boasts wetlands with foliage and bird life. Deer and red-tailed hawks are frequently seen. Start at Route 114 at Edwards Hole Nature Preserve. Park in the parking lot at Route 114. Northwest Path is blazed with yellow triangles. More info: Trail maps at easthamptontrailspreservationsociety.org/trails.
RAY CORWIN TRAIL
Kenneth Kindler, left of Holbrook, walks with friends on the Ray Corwin Trail in Ridge. Credit: Ed Betz
12.1 miles from NY 25A in Rocky Point preserve to downtown Yaphank, passing through DEC, Suffolk County and Town of Brookhaven land east of the Carmans River. Accesses at Rocky Point, a DEC parking lot on NY 25, and East Main Street in Yaphank.
RED CREEK PARK
3.8-mile loop in Red Creek Town Park, Hampton Bays. See red-tailed hawks, blue heron, kettle holes, deer and, in October, monarch butterflies. Trail winds through pitch pine woods mixed with oak, maple and tupelo. A posted trail map is available in the park on Old Riverhead Road (off Route 24) in Hampton Bays. Parking areas open to all. Free parking.
WALT WHITMAN TRAIL
Hikers get a warm welcome arriving at the Walt Whitman Trail in South Huntington. Credit: Newsday Staff Photographer/Thomas A. Ferrara
Loop 3.8 miles long with a total of 8 miles of trails from the Whitman home through West Hills County Park, Huntington. Circular trail includes Jaynes Hill, the highest point on Long Island. Trail links with the Nassau-Suffolk Trail. Park at county park entrance off Sweet Hollow Road. Parking also near Jaynes Hill on Reservoir Road. Trail map is available at the visitors’ center on High Hold Drive. Free parking year-round.
