Schunnemunk Ridge Park, NY

With its 1,700-foot elevation, the 2,400-acre Schunnemunk ridge dominates the surrounding landscape and is unmistakable to motorists traveling on the New York State Thruway near Rockland County. To those who hike its trails to the top, this new park offers breathtaking views of the Hudson Highlands.

The Shawangunk Ridge Trail, a scenic, long-distance corridor that links High Point in New Jersey and Sam's Point 40 miles to the north in Cragsmoor, New York has been a project of the Trail Conference since 1989 and continues to be a work in progress. The trail generally follows the spectacular Shawangunk Ridge north, occasionally using abandoned roads and rail beds. The trail links the world famous Appalachian Trail to an alternate route for the 350+ mile Long Path, which runs from the Washington Bridge north to Thacher Park near Albany (with plans to bring it to the Adirondacks).