The Little-Known Ruins In New York You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 2.5-Mile Trail
In a state as big as ours, it’s tough to see everything. You could hike a different trail each day and still not hit all there is to see! Whether you’re looking for plants, animals, or just like getting out and exploring new terrain, there are trails in New York for you. One trail that we love is at the beautiful Muttontown Preserve in East Norwich. Not only does this place have incredible natural beauty, it also holds some fascinating ruins. This is a great opportunity to see nature reclaiming a historical spot, and the 2.5-mile hike isn’t too difficult even for beginners.
Muttontown Preserve is a 550-acre haven in Nassau County that features wooded areas and ponds. The preserve also encompasses several historic estates.
One once-magnificent estate on the grounds is now little more than ruins. The Knollwood Estate was a 60-room mansion built in the 1910s for Wall Street tycoon Charles Hudson.
In 1951, King Zog of Albania purchased the mansion for $102,800. He was exiled from Albania when Mussolini's Italy took the country over. Zog intended to move into the mansion at Knollwood Estate, but he never did.
Over the years, looters destroyed much of the house. The county tore down most of it in 1959 for safety reasons. Some pillars and a staircase remain and can be seen on the trails at Muttontown.
This is a great trail for anyone with an interest in the history of abandoned places in New York. Nature is reclaiming the area and much of it is now hidden with leaves and brush.
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue, particularly fixing stray cats. She also likes reading, playing Pokemon Go, and going to concerts. Her dog Cece is the best dog in the whole world. You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
