Albany County
Hiking trails weave throughout John Boyd Thacher State Park. The trails hug the Heldeberg escarpment with magnificent views of the valley below. 

 
Fulton County
The Adirondack Mountains feature many great hikes on a number of easy, moderate, and difficult hiking trails. In the Adirondack Park, hikes feature animal wildlife, many lakes and streams, and places to pitch a tent. Hiking trails are within a 10-15 minute drive from the Twin Cities of Gloversville & Johnstown. For hiking information call (518) 725-0641 or 1/800/676-3858. 

 
Rensselaer County
Rensselaer County is full of excellent hiking opportunities. The Taconic Crest Trail, on top of the Taconic Mountain Range that separates New York State from its neighbors, Vermont and Massachusetts is a terrific one. Trailhead locations include NY Route 2 at the top of the Petersburgh Pass and Southeast Hollow Road in the town of Berlin. There are hiking trails for all abilities in Grafton Lakes State Park, many with views of the ponds and lakes in the park. Grafton Lakes State Park (518)279-1155 is located off NY Route 2 in the town of Grafton, and provides an opportunities to explore the Rensselaer Plateau’s unique environment. Additional hiking on the Rensselaer Plateau can be found at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center (518) 658-2055. The newest state park in Rensselaer County provides hiking opportunities along the Hudson River. The Schodack Island State Park is located on NY Route 9J south of the village of Castleton. North of Castleton on Staats Island Road, is the Papscannee Island Nature Preserve with hiking trails and interpretive trails. Urban hikers can find many opportunities in the city of Troy. Several marked trails take hikers past historical sites and architectural gems. There’s also the Riverfront Park Trail. 

 
Saratoga County
For a short hike or a longer day driving between hiking trails in western Saratoga County, try the Glenwild Nature Trail and the Homestead County Forest in the Town of Providence, the Albia Pond and Palmer Lake State Forest Preserves in Edinburg, and the Daketown and Middle Grove State Forests in Greenfield. Also located in the northern section of Saratoga County, is the Lincoln Mountain State Forest in Greenfield, and the Moreau Lake State Park, a 4,110 acre park located along the Hudson River. Travel southeast to Northumberland’s Fire Pond County Forest, the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, the Taylor Road or Kalabus-Perry County Forests. The City of Saratoga Springs has hiking trails along Railroad Run just west of downtown, the Saratoga Spa State Park and Bog Meadow, which is out Rt. 29. For a booklet on trails, contact info@saratoga.org 

 
Schenectady County
The Plotter Kill Preserve (located in the town of Rotterdam on Route 159) contains 632 acres of rugged forest along a 2.5-mile gorge. Three large waterfalls cascade down the Kill creating a spectacular site in the spring. There are three trails through the preserve. The first, an easy walk (1/2) mile takes you to a lookout over the high falls. The longest trail will take you all day and makes a long circuit of the preserve’s high ground over each side of the ravine. One of the county’s most popular trails, the Claire Schmitt trail crosses the stream on a bridge built on the old dam which impounded water for the former Glenridge Hospital. The trail wanders through the 100-acre Indian Kill Preserve, (Hetcheltown Road in Glenville) and follows the banks of the Indian Kill. The preserve is comprised of a number of diverse habitats including forest, past farmed fields, and wetlands. Spring wildflowers abound in this preserve. Look for trillium, jack in the pulpits, hepatica and bishop’s cap. 

 
Washington County
To get to Black Mountain trailhead in Dresden, take Route 22, to Route 6, than left to Pike Brook Road, go 1/4 mile to trailhead. On top is a splendid pine forest with a fantastic view of Lake George with an abandoned fire tower. Pilot's Knob also has a view of Lake George. Go to the top in the fall of the year and experience leaf peeping at its best. There is also Sleeping Beauty Mountain and Buck Mountain in Fort Ann. For a short hike into a nature preserve visit Hebron Nature Preserve on Route 22 in the Town of Hebron or visit Carter's Pond Nature Trail off of Route 49 in the town of Greenwich. The newest of all of the Washington County trails is the Peaked Rock Trail. It is located in the Battenkill State Forest. It is 2.61 miles. The trailhead starts on State Route 313 from Eagleville, in Cambridge. There is also the Feeder Canal Trail in Hudson Falls for walking.