Take a Hike!
CNY abounds with pleasant places for enjoying a fine spring day
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Whether you’re an avid hiker or occasional stroller, getting out to experience nature provides many benefits. Central New York offers plenty of venues to walk.
Here are some options:
Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville offers 15 miles trails around its meromictic lake. It’s also home to some of the prettiest scenery in CNY. Take time for a few photos.
• https://parks.ny.gov/parks/172/details.aspx
Clark Reservation in Jamesville stands out for its varied terrain, including forest, wetland and meadow and a variety of plant species — around 300. Slow down and enjoy viewing the vegetation.
• https://parks.ny.gov/parks/126/details.aspx
Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool offers eight miles of walking along the lakeshore. Bring along your furry pal to play off-leash at Wegmans Good Dog Park. Continue on the 2.6-mile Onondaga Creekwalk and you’ll walk right to Armory Square.
• https://onondagacountyparks.com/parks/onondaga-lake-park
Camillus Erie Canal Park in Camillus includes a trail that is part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail from Buffalo to Albany and New York City to the Canadian border. This snippet lies alongside the Erie Canal and includes a forested trail.
• https://eriecanalcamillus.org
Charlie Major Nature Trail in Skaneateles follows the former Skaneateles Short Rail Line for one mile. Young grandchildren would enjoy the playground near the Mottville trailhead. Snap a few photos of the vintage wooden bridges that span the creek.
• www.townofskaneateles.com/departments/parks/charlie-major-nature-trail
Highland Forest in Fabius provides 20 miles of hiking trails and views that earned the nickname the “Adirondacks of Central New York.” Dogs are allowed, so bring yours along.
• https://onondagacountyparks.com/parks/highland-forest
Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, is comprised of 670 acres centers around a 200-acre glacial lake. Its 10 miles of hiking trails wind through bog, meadows, wetlands, deciduous climax forests, conifer stands and transitional shrub-forest areas. Check out the artifacts and displays in the nature exhibit building. No dogs are allowed.
• https://beaverlakenature.org
Nelson Swamp Unique Area in Cazenovia, sprawls for 979 acres. The area is home to more than 400 species of plants and a large variety of birds, so bring along the binoculars to spot them.
• https://dec.ny.gov/places/nelson-swamp-unique-area
Rice Creek Field Station in Oswego features five miles of trails winding through varied habitats, including woodlot, orchard, plantation, clearing, herb garden, creek and pond. Find a detailed map on the website. Leashed dogs are welcome.
• ww1.oswego.edu/rice-creek/trails-overview
Verona Beach State Park Rail Trail in Verona offers 13 miles of woodland and lakeside hiking trails for you and your canine companion near Oneida Lake.
• https://parks.ny.gov/parks/veronabeach/details.aspx
Fair Haven State Park in Fair Haven includes a sandy beach along Lake Ontario and more than 2.5 miles of woodland hiking trails. Dogs are permitted.
• https://parks.ny.gov/parks/12/details.aspx
Plan your hike by knowing each trail’s rules. Some allow dogs, for example and some don’t.
Prepare by wearing weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. If you want to bring your grandchildren, think about their age and fitness level compared with the length of the trails.
Beaver Lake Nature Center, for example, has a few shorter trails and many interactive exhibits. Consider wearing a hat, sunglasses and SPF 30 sunscreen to protect you from UV rays.
Apply bug repellent after applying dried sunscreen. Check your clothing for ticks and shower after hiking. Staying on the trail can help you avoid ticks, as typically they wait on vegetation for potential hosts. Pay attention to any “trail closed” signs, as these are erected for your safety.
Bring along water and a charged cell phone. If you hike alone, let someone know where you will be hiking and how long you expect to be gone. This is especially important if the venue has poor cell phone reception.