5 Gorgeous Westchester County Trails for Seeing Fall Foliage

Whether you want to walk, hike, jog, or bike, there is a trail to fit your needs.

rabbit75_fot | Adobe Stock. All other photos courtesy of Jane Daniels

We have a local hiking expert pick the best Westchester County trails for you to take in the incredible and colorful fall foliage this year.

Westchester recommendations are objective, unbiased, and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Fall is the perfect time to get out and exercise in Westchester. Not only is it the last chance to do so without having to put on 30 layers of clothes, but it also offers an opportunity to see beautiful foliage. (Peak viewing season in Westchester County is expected to hit sometime between the last week in September and the second week of October this year.) Yet with hundreds of miles of trails all over the county, it can be hard to know where to start.

We asked Jane Daniels, the author of Walkable Westchester, to share a few recommended fall hikes for the best foliage viewing experience.

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North County Trailway, near the Croton Reservoir 

595 Saw Mill River Rd, Yorktown Heights

Daniels: “Brilliant fall colors line the North County Trailway as it approaches the former railroad bridge with sweeping views over the Croton Reservoir. The trailway is accessible to everybody: people on bicycles, in wheelchairs, and with dogs on leashes.”

Directions: From the Taconic State Parkway, take the Route 100 exit in Millwood and head north for 4.3 miles to Route 118. Turn left and go 0.5 miles to the parking area. Head south on the trailway and cross Route 118. It is 0.2 miles to the bridge.

north county foliage
Photo courtesy of Jane Daniels

DePew Park

1 Robin Dr, Peekskill

Daniels: “There is something for everyone at DePew Park: walk, run, or walk your dog. Short strolls take you to Lake Mitchell, by wetlands, or into adjacent Blue Mountain Reservation for a longer hike.”

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Directions:  From Route 9, take the South Street/Hudson Avenue exit and head east and uphill on Hudson Avenue. At 0.5 miles, turn right onto Walnut Street at a sign that says DePew Park. The park is accessible by train from Peekskill’s Metro North Station. Follow Hudson Street for 0.7 miles to Walnut Street and the park.

peekskill depew
Photos courtesy of Jane Daniels.

Related: The 5 Best Hiking Trails in Westchester

Irvington Woods

Cyrus Field Road, Irvington

Daniels: “Wander through Irvington Woods on wide woods roads or narrow trails. Visit Split Rock, Sunset Rock, or relax on Jenkins Rock at the reservoir.”

Directions: Take Route 9 to Irvington, then turn east onto Harriman Road heading away from the Hudson River. When Harriman Road reaches the Irvington Reservoir, it makes a sharp right turn and becomes Cyrus Field Road. Follow Cyrus Field Road to the park entrance to the left.

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irvington
Photo courtesy of Jane Daniels

Teatown Lake Reservation

1600 Spring Valley Rd #1, Ossining

Daniels: “Enjoy Teatown’s newest trail and discover that there are other lakes at Teatown which have far fewer visitors. The Twin Lakes Trail starts across the street from the Nature Center and gives hikers a 2.3-mile vigorous hike.”

Directions: From the Taconic State Parkway, take the Route 134 exit and turn west. Just past the southbound exit ramp, turn right onto Grant Street; do not make the hard left onto Illington Road. At the stop sign, turn right onto Spring Valley Road. It is 0.7 miles to parking at the Nature Center.

teatown foliage
Photo courtesy of Jane Daniels

Rocks Trail in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

6 Reservation Rd, Pound Ridge

Daniels: “A rugged 4.9-mile hike miles takes hikers to six places in the park with Rock in their name. Which rock is more interesting? Visit all of them and decide for yourself.”

Directions: From I-684, turn east onto Route 35. Go 3.8 miles and turn right on Route 121. It is 0.1 miles to the park’s entrance on Reservation Road. To reach the Rocks Trail, turn right onto Michigan Road and drive to the end. You will need to take the yellow trail to the beginning of the Rocks Trail.

ward pound ridge
Photo courtesy of Jane Daniels

Which one is closest to you? Check out this map to see where they are in the county:

Bonus: When in Doubt, Go Airborne

County-based helicopter service Wings Air can help you take to the skies to enjoy the gorgeous fall foliage from above such scenic Westchester landmarks as Kykuit, the Tappan Zee/Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Bear Mountain, and Sing Sing Prison. Taking off from the centrally located Westchester County Airport, trips fly daily, weather permitting. Tickets start at around $330 for half-hour shared flights, with the option to splurge on a private couples experience for $800.

 

For more trail tips, check out Jane Daniels’ book, Walkable Westchester. The third edition of the book features information on over 200 parks with more than 600 miles of trails.

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