First Day Hikes Step Off New Year's Day Around Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — It's a great way to start the New Year no matter how you spent New Year's Eve. For the 11th year in a row, New York is offering more than 75 hikes on Jan. 1 that will allow New Yorkers to enjoy nature with friends and family.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the hikes will take place Saturday, Jan. 1 and include seal walks, fire tower treks, lakefront trails, boardwalks, historic estates and more.

The First Day Hikes are popular traditions for New Yorkers, she said, because they remind them how important the state's outdoor areas are to health and happiness for the entire year.

"New York State is home to so many unique hiking trails, and it's a joy to visit for all ages," Hochul said. "Hiking on one of the state's beautiful trails is a unique way to welcome a bright, optimistic new year."

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the options for hikes range from self-guided treks to small staff- or volunteer-led hikes, allowing participants the time and space to social distance while still enjoying nature in winter.

All First Day Hikes statewide can be found at this website.

In the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, First Day Hikes are as follows (all are on Jan. 1 except where noted):

• Ashokan Quarry Trail, Olivebridge; 10am; 516-647-7776
• FDR State Park, Yorktown; 10:30am; 914.245.4434
• Little Stony Point/Hudson Highlands State Park, Cold Spring; 11am-2pm; 845.224.7207
• John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah; 1-3pm; 914.232.5651
• Kelly Hollow Trail, Town of Middletown; 11am; 845.586.3112
• Meads Meadow Loop Trailhead, Woodstock; 9am & 12pm (2 hikes); 845.256.3083 - Jan. 2
• Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Peter's Kill, Kerhonkson; 9:15am; 845.255.0752
• Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 10-11am; 1-2pm; (two hikes) 518.751.0344
• Old Croton Aqueduct, Croton Gorge Park; noon; pre-register at aqueduct.org (Jan. 1 & Jan. 2)
• Overlook Mountain Fire Tower, Woodstock; 7:45am; 845.688.3369
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville; 10am-12pm; 914.631.1470
• Rockefeller Preserve Rockwood Hall; Pleasantville; 9am; 914.631.1470
• Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 10am; 845.351.5907
• Stonykill Farm Env Ed Center, Wappingers Falls; 11am; 845.831.3800
• Taconic State Park - Copake Falls, Copake Falls; 1pm; 518.329.3993
• Upper Esopus Fire Tower, Mt. Tremper; 9:30am-4pm; 845.688.3369
• Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park; Poughkeepsie; 2pm; 845.834.2867

Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site and pre-register where required; alternate locations should be considered as capacity restrictions and registration limits may impact availability.