National Trails Day is this Saturday, June 3, and thanks to the dozens of hiking and biking trails located within minutes of Curry Estate, we decided to give a shout-out to this day of appreciation and service. Established by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day encourages people to enjoy their local paths and become active in preserving the outdoors for future generations. If you’re interested, check out the AHS website for a list of events being held in your area.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a trails advocacy organization, reports that trail use in 2022 was almost 50% higher than it was in 2019! To support this ongoing increase, the conservancy is focusing on their signature project, the Great American Rail-Trail, which is going to cover 3,700 miles coast-to-coast.
Here at Curry Estate, we are so fortunate to have immediate access to the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, which runs 13 miles from Hopewell Junction to the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. It is part of the Empire State Trail, which Travel + Leisure Magazine recently included in “The 15 Best Rail Trails in the U.S.” If you haven’t visited the Walkway over the Hudson, find some time this summer to do so. In addition to the pedestrian bridge that offers some incredible views, the walkway is linked to a whole network of trails on both sides of the river. Many cyclists often spend days on the rail trail and stop at Curry Estate for a refresher, a welcome meal, and a good night’s sleep!
Right up the road from Curry Estate, the Appalachian Trail crosses Route 52 and has a parking lot providing easy access for some day hikes as well as overnights. The Trail, which is just 65 miles north of NYC, goes through Dutchess and Putnam counties and is accessible by public transportation. The Route 52 crossing is also the closest pickup spot for AT hikers looking to spend the night with us. Download the FarOut Guides navigational app, which has a trail map and information on pickup spots and places to stay.
While hiking may be the first activity that comes to mind, trails offer so much more! So many of them can be used by cyclists as well; they can lead you to lakes and rivers for water adventures; and they even provide bird watchers with some incredible viewing locations. We hope you have a fantastic weekend outside enjoying your local trails, and give us a call whenever your outdoor adventures include an overnight stay!
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