Ring in the new year with a healthy hike in the fresh air! Hiking is a great fitness activity that families can enjoy together. There are so many first-day hikes on Staten Island and nearby on Jan. 1 that your family will love. Kids will love seeing cute critters who live along nature trails, which could include tiny toads, slow-poke turtles, native birds and more. All the hikes listed here are on Jan. 1, but it’s a good idea to check if a hike has been canceled for any reason before you head out. So lace up those boots, bundle up, pack some snacks and go take a hike!
First-Day Hikes on Staten Island
12th Annual First Day Hike
WHERE: Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve • 2351 Veterans Rd. W.
WHEN: 1-3pm
Start the new year off with a 2-mile hike through the trails of Clay Pit Ponds. An educator will guide the group, answer questions and point out various sights along the way. Ages 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
WANT TO GO? Free. Register online.
New Year’s Day Super Hike
WHERE: Clove Lakes Park • Martling Avenue and Brooks Pond Place
WHEN: 1-3pm
You’ll enjoy nature, explore the trees and learn about the city’s urban forests on this family friendly hike.
WANT TO GO? Free. Call 718-967-3542 for more information.
Mount Loretto First-Day Hike
WHERE: Mount Loretto Unique Area • 6541 Hylan Blvd. (Visitor’s parking lot across from the CYO)
WHEN: 10am
Join the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods and the NYS Department of Conservation for some hiking fun. Watch for birds in the fields and seals in the surf along this easy 1-mile hike on the NYS Birding Trail at Mount Loretto Unique Area.
WANT TO GO? Free. Check the website for more information.
First-Day Hikes in Brooklyn
First-Day Hike
WHERE: Shirley Chisholm State Park • 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., Brooklyn
WHEN: 1pm
There are lots of first-day hikes on Staten Island and nearby, including this one in Brooklyn! Join the park’s education team for its 4th annual First Day Hike. Rain or shine, the hike will be on gravel trails with slight inclines.
WANT TO GO? Call 718-277-2420 x5003 for more information.
New Year’s Day Super Hike
WHERE: Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
WHEN: 12-2pm
Enjoy a lengthy hike with the Urban Park Rangers.
WANT TO GO? Free. Call 646-808-1479 for more information.
First-Day Hikes in New Jersey
Hike to Caven Point Beach
WHERE: Liberty State Park • 200 Morris Pesin Dr., Jersey City
WHEN: 12-2pm
Enjoy a 3-mile leisurely hike to Caven Point Beach. You’ll explore the shores of Upper New York Bay with wonderful views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline.
WANT TO GO? Call the nature center at 201-915-3400 x503 to register or find out more information.
New Year’s Day Hike
WHERE: Cheesequake State Park Nature Center • 300 Gordon Rd.
WHEN: 1pm
Learn about the history and environment of Cheesequake State Park during this 2-mile hike. Ages 8 and older.
WANT TO GO? Registration isn’t required, but you can call 732-566-3208 for more information.
Old Dutch New Year
WHERE: Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Parking Lot • 71 Somerset St., Somerville
WHEN: 2-3:30pm
A 3-mile walk that follows Somerville’s Peters Brook Greenway and Main Street with stops for historical interpretation from a Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage historian.
WANT TO GO? Registration is required on the website. For more information, call 908-725-1015.
Botanical Garden First-Day Hike
WHERE: Carriage House Visitor Center at the NJ State Botanical Garden • Ringwood, NJ on Morris Road
WHEN: 1-3:30pm
Climb to the Mt. Defiance overlook and return, or choose an alternate hike without a climb. Ages 10 and older.
WANT TO GO? Registration is not required, but you can email info@njbg.org for more information.
Red Dot Trail
WHERE: Wawayanda Lake Parking Lot • 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt
WHEN: 10am-12pm
Visit a beaver dam, cross over wetlands and enjoy winter woodlands during this 5-mile hike. Ages 10 and older.
WANT TO GO? More information available on the website or by calling 973-853-4462.
First-Day Nature Hike
WHERE: Allaire State Park • 4265 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale
WHEN: 10am-12pm
See the pine and oak forests of central NJ in winter. You might spot some cool animals along the way, too.
WANT TO GO? Registration not required, but you can call 732-938-2371 for more information.
Historic Allaire Village Walk
WHERE: Allaire State Park • 4265 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale
WHEN: 9-10:30am
Step back in time at Historic Allaire Village, a preserved iron works village, and see what life was like for villagers in 1836.
WANT TO GO? Registration required by emailing wma12.njwap@gmail.com with your name and number of people in your party.
Explore Historic Midtown Elizabeth NJ
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church • 42 Broad St., Elizabeth
WHEN: 1-3pm
Discover the 300-plus year history of Elizabeth, NJ, on this 1.5 mile walk. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
WANT TO GO? Registration is required. Call: 908-282-7617 or e-mail boxwood73@aol.com.
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