From breathtaking mountain views to city skylines, lush forests to miles of coastline, New York has a diverse landscape and what better way to see it than by hiking. There are thousands of miles of trails across the state for hikers of all abilities, whether you want to hike the Appalachian Trail or take the family out for a short excursion to a scenic view.
DEC maintains hiking trails on many areas of Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks as well as on State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas and Unique Areas. Most trails are marked with color coded disks affixed to trees. Trail guides and maps corresponding to these markers have been developed for many locations.
Trail register boxes are generally located near major access points and parking areas. Although most DEC-maintained trails are marked, hikers are encouraged to consult topographical maps or other guides when planning to venture into the backcountry.
Find your next adventure using DECinfo Locator - an interactive map full of hiking trails, parking areas, campsites, lean-tos, conservation easements, and other information to help plan a hike on state-managed lands.
If you can walk, you can hike. And if you can't walk or have trouble walking, many trails are accessible to people with disabilities.
Be prepared for your next hike by reviewing our HIKE SMART NY webpage before you hit the trail.
