Hiking Trails Remain Busy in the Winter
by Chris Rechen
While the introduction of the winter season might put a damper on some outdoor activities, there is one in the Hudson Valley that remains unaffected- hiking.
A visit to the Dutchess Tourism website will yield results about hot air balloon tours, activities on the Hudson river, and visits to local parks and gardens, all of which are unavailable in the colder months. However, an abundance of hiking trails remain as one of Dutchess County’s attractions year-round. Mary Kay Vrba, President of Dutchess Tourism, says that she is happy that the trails stay relatively busy all year long. “This is such a great place to be outdoors, and such a unique place to hike, it would be a shame if they weren’t being used for half of the year,” Vrba says.
View from one of the Schunnemunk Mountain peaks
From expert to novice, Dutchess County has numerous peaks for hikers of all skill levels to summit. In Dutchess alone, there are 21 unique trails up various mountains, all with unique attractions. One of the most popular local trails spans across 30 miles and 4,000 acres of the Appalachian Trail in Pawling. Christian McDermott, a Poughkeepsie local and avid hiker, says he loves being outside this time of year. “It’s hard to believe, but the area almost gets prettier with snow,” McDermott says. Even though the hiking can sometimes be more difficult and more dangerous due to adverse conditions, it is also a great experience. “It is like hiking a different trail, you look out for different things,” says McDermott.
Challenging rock face on the Schunnemunk Mountain trail
Not only is the hiking better, but winter weather also introduces new activities to some of the mountain trails- snowshoeing and cross country skiing. While not available at all 21 locations in Dutchess county, snowshoeing and skiing have also become staples in the local community, and continue to be encouraged. “We just want people outside looking at the beautiful Hudson Valley, however they please,” says Vrba.
Dutchess Tourism is a local function of I Love New York, a statewide promotion for all kinds of recreation. Dutchess Tourism’s vision statement is to become the premier destination choice of travel in the Hudson Valley and one of I Love New York’s targeted areas across the whole state. With activites limited in the winter, promoting local hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing becomes more important in developing the tourist scene in the coming months. For more information about local hikes and other attractions in Dutchess County, visit dutchesstourism.com, or for statewide attractions visit iloveny.com.
