New York
Nature|Hiking

5 Great Hiking Spots Near Buffalo To Explore On Your Next Adventure

Explore some of the best hiking trails in New York, from easy nature walks to challenging mountain climbs, offering stunning views and unique experiences.

Published Oct 22, 2020

Written by 

Witt Wells

New Yorkers have a few more weeks to hit the trails before winter kicks in, and there's never been a better time to appreciate the changing leaves on a scenic hike upstate. Nearly every city in upstate New York is accessible to some incredible parks and landscapes, and Buffalo is no exception. Here are a few of our favorite parks and preserves near Buffalo that you'll want to get out and explore before it gets too cold.

1. Tifft Nature Preserve

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Tifft Nature Preserve Facebook Page
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Tifft Nature Preserve Facebook Page

This gorgeous, 264-acre nature preserve has been a refuge and sanctuary for wildlife since 1972 after the city of Buffalo had planned to convert the area into a landfill. In addition to being a great place to hike, it's a haven for ecological study and restoration.

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2. Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Facebook Page
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Facebook Page

This preserve is conveniently located in the middle of suburban Buffalo and boasts nearly 300 acres of forest, wetlands, and green space. For people in Buffalo, it's the perfect spot to hit the trails right in your backyard. And come winter, it's an ideal area to snowshoe!

3. Zoar Valley

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Creative Commons / eyspahn
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Creative Commons / Buffaboy

You won't find any other park on New York that has the sheer beauty of Zoar Valley. It's full of cliffs, waterfalls, a huge gorge and views that will keepers hikers exploring for hours on end. The Overlook Trail and Holcomb Pond Trail are a couple of highlights to check out.

4. Devil's Hole State Park

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Creative Commons / Roadgeeek Adam
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Creative Commons / Roadgeek Adam
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Creative Commons / andyarthur

This gorgeous spot overlooks the Devil's Hole Rapids and has no shortage of hiking trails, picnic areas, and overlooks. It's a great spot for fishing as well, or if you just want to relax by the rapids.

5. Chestnut Ridge Park

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Creative Commons / KimCarpenter NJ
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Creative Commons / ctcwired

This park on the western edge of the state is home to the famous Eternal Flame Falls, where a small fire burns ceaselessly under a waterfall. It's one of the largest county parks in the United States and is known for being a popular destination for sledding come winter.

Another incredibly beautiful area near Buffalo is Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, which is the largest wildlife refuge in the state at nearly 11,000 acres. And of course, the famous Letchworth State Park is only around an hour from downtown Buffalo.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike the Catskills’ Most Challenging Trail in New York for an Unforgettable Adventure

There's a Catskills hiking trail that will test your endurance, but will reward you with some of the best views in New York State.

Published Oct 5, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

A good hike is a great way to spend a day, and it can be a suitable adventure for all ages and skill levels. There are so many great, peaceful, easy hikes that provide a break from the everyday routine, and then there are those hikes that test your endurance and wits before rewarding you with a fantastic sight that can only be seen by those willing to work for it. That's exactly the type of trail you'll find at the Slide Mountain Out-and-Back, a 5.3-mile Catskills hiking trail rated hard by AllTrails. This mighty trail is found in Catskills Park, not far from Kingston, and its remote location and challenging terrain mean this is an ideal adventure to remember for experienced hikers. You'll take a unique journey into New York's ecosystem and history as you conquer a trail that feels like a badge of honor.

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Jake DiMirra/AllTrails

The Slide Mountain Out-and-Back Trail is one of New York's most challenging, boasting an impressive 1,781-foot elevation gain over its 5.3-mile length. That makes it an all-day adventure, especially during the cooler months.

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Kazimir Nyzio/AllTrails

The craggy, well-maintained but uneven, path has some beautiful rock formations along the way. It's ideal for experienced hikers looking for a unique spot to explore, and dogs are welcome as long as they're kept on a leash.

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D G/AllTrails

Part of the park is dedicated to John Burroughs, the writer and naturalist who was key to introducing the Catskills to the American audience in his writings. One look at this place illustrates why he was so enchanted by it.

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Rey Carnevale/AllTrails

One of the best things about this area is how untouched it is. The high elevation leads to a unique ecosystem, filled with mossy areas and plenty of mushrooms. This is a very popular spot for mushroom hunting and foraging; bring a reliable guide and pick with caution!

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Luke Lee/AllTrails

The view when you finish the trail is well worth the adventure, and the whole area is incredibly gorgeous in the middle of fall foliage.

Have you conquered the Slide Mountain Out-and-Back Trail? Let us know what you saw on this unique Catskills hiking trail! For more details and pictures, check out the official AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend you subscribe to AllTrails + for this one. The challenging terrain and winding path will be much easier to navigate when you have this app, which offers downloadable trail guides with point-by-point directions, no matter where you are. If you're up for a lighter adventure after this hike, check out why we think Kingston is the perfect fall day trip.

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Nature|Hiking

The Stunning Top-Secret Natural Spring in New York Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The best hidden waterfall in New York is found in a small Central New York wilderness along a challenging but beautiful trail.

Published Sep 28, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New York's waterfalls and springs are famous around the world - especially when you talk about a certain one up north! But New York is actually a big state, and there are some fascinating spots far off the beaten path that are well-worth exploring. You just might have to put some work into getting there. I was surprised to find the best-hidden waterfall in New York was located near the tiny town of North Creek, in the little-known Siamese Ponds Wilderness. That's where you'll find the Shanty Brook Trail, a 1.3-mile trail rated moderate. While it's a short trail, it does pack some unique challenges into its half-hour hike - but we think it's well worth the challenge.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The Shanty Brook Trail is one of New York's hidden gems, found in a deeply remote area of the state with no major towns around. While it's rated moderate, it will require you to venture off well-maintained trails and into some challenging terrain.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The most challenging part of this trail comes right at the start, as you'll have to cross the Sacandaga River. This is usually a fairly slow-moving and shallow river, so all you'll need is a good pair of wading boots - but be careful to not take this trail after heavy rain.

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Han Ng/AllTrails

From there, it's a quick but challenging hike uphill until you reach the titular Shanty Brook - a twelve-foot waterfall that makes for amazing photo opportunities. The best part is that the challenging approach means you'll likely have this area all to yourself.

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

Although far from New York's tallest waterfall, the Shanty Brook Waterfall is an incredible sight and can be walked right up to. While this isn't a suitable place for swimming, it is a great place to cool off before heading back!

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

There are actually eighteen trails in the immediate area of the wilderness, many moderately challenging and remote, making exploring this area this the perfect day of adventure.

Have you hiked the Shanty Brook Trail to see this magical hidden waterfall in New York? Let us know about your hike in the comments section, and you can visit the AllTrails trail listing for more details and pictures. If you want to know more about the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, check out its page on the NY DEC website. This is the kind of hike AllTrails + was made for - the point-by-point directions are incredibly useful in a remote, fast-paced hike like this. And if you're looking for a memorable stay in the area, this Victorian-style B&B is about an hour away in the Lake George area.

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