Taking a first-day hike is the perfect way to start the new year on the right foot. Visitors to Dutchess can stroll along the Hudson River, experience the famous Appalachian Trail and spy views of the Catskill Mountains. For 2026, participate in these scheduled events or create your own jolly jaunt in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Lace up those boots, zip up those parkas and head to one of these Dutchess locations.
First, there are planned first-day hiking events at the following attractions.
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Staatsburg
Join members of the park staff for a free, 1.2-mile hike along the woodland trail in Mills Norrie State Park on the historic grounds of the Mills family’s opulent Gilded Age estate. The hike will begin at 11 a.m. near the mansion and will include a visit to a small, little-known cemetery in the forest. Enjoy free hot cocoa courtesy of the Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh at the end of the hike. Click here to complete the required registration.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie
Step into the new year on the World’s Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge and enjoy stunning views of the Hudson and the surrounding highlands from 212 feet above the river. The Walkway is a former railroad bridge over the Hudson that opened on Jan. 1, 1889, and served as part of the Maybrook Line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad until it was damaged by fire in 1974 and subsequently closed. The rebuilt span opened in 2009 as the Walkway, and its first-day hikes have become a New Year’s Day tradition. The Walkway is 1.28 miles across; it is flat and paved, and it has no stairs. No registration is necessary for this free hike, which begins at 11 a.m. For more details, click here.
Enjoy the beginning of the new year with a visit to one of these sites.
Peach Hill Park
Poughkeepsie
When you climb to the summit of Peach Hill Park, you are standing at the highest point in the Town of Poughkeepsie. From this view, visitors can spot the Taconic Hills, Catskill Mountains and greater Hudson Valley. Three and a half miles of trails are perfect for snowshoeing, hiking and birdwatching. There are many Dutchess County bird species that are active on snowy winter days, making it an ideal spot for anyone looking to start their big year right.
Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary
Stanfordville
For another spot to start off 2026's big year, explore Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary just below Pine Plains, Trek through six miles of woodland trails through this diverse landscape. The sanctuary is home to over 80 species of birds; visit during the winter to see owls, cardinals, chickadees and more. For additional bird watching experiences in Dutchess County, get involved with Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club.
Poets’ Walk Park
Red Hook
The best first day hikes leave you feeling inspired and motivated to tackle the new year. Poets’ Walk Park in Red Hook inspired artists and writers for generations — Washington Irving supposedly thought up “Rip Van Winkle” while he was strolling the scenic grounds. Take in the same views of the Catskills that he did when you visit for a first-day hike. Explore this designed landscape of “outdoor rooms” and enjoy Hudson River vistas.
Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park
Beacon
Feel the crisp morning air coming off the Hudson River for your first-day hike. Perfect for families of all generations, Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park offers stunning river views along a gentle, flat trail. Extend the walk by traveling parallel to the river along the Klara Sauer Trail. Return in the spring for the Denning's Point Trail, which is closed seasonally to protect eagle nesting grounds.
Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
Wappingers Falls
Beyond the Entheon, wander 40 acres of teeming woods along the Wisdom Trail at Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in Wappingers Falls. Practicing a mindfulness walk is a wonderful form of meditation. Discover wooden sculptures and art installations on this path. Warm up with a cup of soothing tea or nutritious bites at the Mushroom Cafe. Of course, no visit is complete without a self-guided tour of the Entheon which displays the striking art of Alex and Allyson Grey. COSM is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays so January 2 will be the first opportunity to visit in 2026. A “second day” hike, if you will.
For more places to experience nature in Dutchess County, get our FREE Zen Finder mobile passport.
