5 Great Trails For Hiking New York This Summer

NEW YORK STATE — New Yorkers are lucky that the Empire State is full of amazing parks where people can enjoy the outdoors. And one of the most popular ways to do that is by hiking.

Hiking gives people a chance to not only get exercise, but to see some of the beautiful natural scenery that New York has to offer. But with so many trails available, how do you pick?

Here are five great trails you can hike this summer:

Bear Mountain State Park

Located in the Palisades, this park has multiple hiking trails of various skill levels: from the one-mile Brooks Lake Trail to the 6.5-mile Timp-Torne Trail, there's something for everyone here.

Belmont Lake State Park

In the heart of Long Island, this park features miles of trails that run along streams, ponds and rivers. Carll's Creek stretches 4.2 miles south to the Great South Bay with a trail for hiking and biking. The 42-acre Belmont Lake is encircled by a similar path.

Minnewaska State Park

Another gem in the Palisades, this park features miles of trails through incredibly scenic wilderness. Hikes can range from 2.5 miles to 8.2 miles. Make sure to check out the incredible views from 7-mile Gertrude's Nose hike.

Storm King State Park

If you want views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley, try hiking Storm King State Park. Try the 3.5-mile Howell Blue trail for some incredible views.

Hudson Highlands State Park

For the extreme hikers, there's the Hudson Highlands. This mostly undeveloped park has more than 70 miles of trails to hike.

The state also recommends that hikers make sure they're prepared for the trails they're going to face. If something goes wrong, rescue can be difficult on some trails, so it's important to be prepared. Make sure you wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots and layered clothing, even on summer hikes. Also, make sure you bring some hiking essentials:

• Map
• Compass
• GPS
• Extra batteries
• Jacket
• Flashlight
• First Aid kit
• Whistle
• Plenty of food and water
• Sunscreen
• Bugspray
• A space blanket for emerencies.