When you say the word "hiking," New York City most likely does not enter your mind. However, within the parks of NYC there are many areas that are off the beaten path and provide hiking opportunities.
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Prospect Park, located at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, there are four easy to hike trails that provides a person the chance to see birds and other wildlife that live in the heart of Brooklyn. Some of the largest trees in the park are located on one of the trails and one trail has six waterfalls located within it. These trails also have concessions, bathrooms, trail guides and there is an Audubon Center at the park. The length of these trails range from one-half to one mile in length.
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Marine Park near the intersection of East 33rd Street and Avenue U, there is a salt march trail that has signs along the way that provides information about the history, plants and wildlife of the area. There are also platforms along the way for viewing birds and wildlife. Restrooms and maps are available at the nature center located within the park.
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Van Cortlandt Park located in the heart of the Bronx there are five trails that range from easy to moderate hiking and range in length from one to one and one-half miles. Some of the trails in Van Cortlandt Park have significant historical meaning - one was part of the aqueduct that delivered water to the city from Croton Dam in the 1800s. Another trail is a native hardwood forest that served as the railroad route that ran through the park in the 1980s.
Alley Pond Park located at Winchester Boulevard north of the Union Turnpike has seven easy to hike trails that all are under a mile in length. These trails all wind through hardwood forest and kettle ponds. At the north end of the park which can be accessed by all of the trails is a salt marsh with great views.
