Blue Mountain Reservation: An Outdoor Enthusiasts Paradise

On a bitterly cold weekend morning—the kind of biting cold normally reserved for the arctic playgrounds of penguins and polar bears—my husband and I arrived at Blue Mountain Reservation, situated in the peaks and valleys of Cortlandt Manor, and near the scenic, sun-kissed waters of the Hudson River.

There are a total of 20 miles of trails, designated for either hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding and color coded for skill level:  yellow for beginners, orange for intermediate and red for advanced.  

As we entered the park near the children's playground—a spread-out area with slides, swings and an old-school, Boardwalk-style duck on a spring ride—a pond glazed over with ice beckoned with shiny possibility to ice skaters or sledders.

We continued to trudge on, entering a trail at random and walking upward, as the incline quickly became steeper and more challenging. The path was rocky, so hiking boots are recommended to avoid twisting your ankle on an uneven surface. I also recommend using a branch to steady yourself on particularly steep climbs.

As the light dappled in between skeletal trees, casting crisscrossing shadows on the forest bed, we climbed to the top of a particularly steep rock to get a better vantage point.  The forest stretched out before us in a wide-open span, as mountain bikers with dogs sped by, leaving leaves blowing in their wake.

Continuing to walk, we spotted a group of deer cautiously eyeing us from a distance before breaking into a full sprint to escape our gaze. 

Blue Mountain is Westchester's premier destination for mountain bikers.  The numerous trails offer exciting rides for bikers of all skill levels, from wide-open trails with minimal elevations to technical single-track that would challenge even the most seasoned riders.   We saw many bikers taking advantage of the trails, both in the park and in the parking lot, where they could be seen removing bikes from rooftops and back fenders.

Adjacent to the park, is the Blue Mountain Sportsman Center, which offers both shooting and archery ranges and is the only public recreation facility of its kind in Westchester County.  Although we didn't get an opportunity to partake in these activities, they offer free instruction from experts and ammunition for sale.