Easy trip for newbie, northeast (NY,CT)?

[Gregory K]

I’ve got a friend, returning from injury who wants to do a nice easy one night weekend trip in the next month or so.  He has asked for it to be not all that strenuous, mileage and vertical.  I live in northern NJ, he is in southwestern CT, and don’t really want to drive much more than 2 hours.  Anyone have a recommendation for something cool in the ~10-12 mile range?  I was thinking of some kind of river trail hike or something like that, or even an easy ridgeline hike where we only have to do one big up and down over the two days.

[Bob Kerner]

• Harriman in NY? It isn’t exactly flat but you can pace yourself. There are plenty of trail heads that will bring you to a shelter or campsite in 3-4 miles, sleep and return for about 8-10 total. The website My Harriman has a selection of loop overnights. Although I always bring a map, you can honestly read the description and use it to find your way and/ or use Gaia on your phone. More options if you drive further to the Catskills, the Old Forge area seems nice and a buddy tells me it  is not overly hilly.

[dirtbag]

Yes Harriman. Buy the map set from NYNJTC. Opens up so many possibilities, trails, loops, parking areas, shelters, and it supports the trail conference. Also good idea to carry maps when out on hikes. Harriman has beautiful lakes, nice streams, good views, and you can find solitude also.  The Appalachian trail and Long Path run thru there also. Check it out!!

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