Saratoga With Kids

HIKING TRAILS IN SARATOGA

WRITTEN BY GINNY SMITH

When we enter a trail and we’re enveloped by the forest, the sounds of nature, and the sun peeking through the trees, there is a shift. Trails offer a breath of fresh air, the calm of the outdoors, and the joy of exploration. There are many physical and mental health benefits to trail walking and the quality family time it provides. Everyone in the family can get exercise when walking trails. Although it can be difficult for parents of young children to prioritize exercise, when the whole family participates, it’s easier to make time for. Cardio exercise has physical and mental health benefits and reduces stress. Being in nature is an antidote to busy life. It is calming, helps us to be present, and allows us to observe the world around us. Hiking as a family also can set kids up for a lifetime love of exercising and the outdoors. Spending time hiking as a family is a great way to connect and creates memories of a fun experience together. Being in nature without devices and other distractions creates time for family conversations that you might not otherwise be able to have. If you want to start hiking, there are many local trails to choose from. We’re lucky to have an abundance of beautiful multi-use trail options throughout the county. Many trails allow running, bicycling, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, and horseback riding in addition to hiking. There are five major trail systems in Saratoga County with a variety of distances, surfaces, and scenery.

Saratoga Spa State Park

www.parks.ny.gov/parks/saratogaspa

The Saratoga Spa State Park is stunningly beautiful. There are six main trails throughout the park that run past historical buildings, museums, SPAC, springs, a geyser, and a creek.

Saratoga Greenbelt Trail

www.saratogagreenbelttrail.org

The vision of the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail is to form a continuous twenty-four-mile loop around the city of Saratoga Springs and connect to downtown Saratoga. The trail connects several existing trails within the city, including the Bog Meadow Trail, Railroad Run Trail, and the Spring Run Trail.

Saratoga PLAN

www.saratogaplan.org

Saratoga PLAN is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting open space and nature in Saratoga County. Saratoga PLAN manages eleven public preserves and assists with maintaining several other trails throughout the county.

Saratoga National Historical Park

www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm

The Saratoga National Historical Park has trails at the site of the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. The National Park Service manages several trails throughout the park.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve

www.wiltonpreserve.org

The Wilton Wildlife Preserve is a nonprofit organization that maintains over twenty-five miles of hiking trails in the Saratoga Sand Plains area of Saratoga County. There are seven main trails at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve.

After being cooped up this winter, we’re looking forward to heading out this spring to explore all of the trails that Saratoga has to offer – see you there! SF