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Shelter Island, New York

Looking for the best hiking in Shelter Island? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Shelter Island. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Shelter Island

  • Westerly, Rhode Island

    Grills Preserve

    4.0
    4.27 mi / 351 ft gain
    Grills Preserve is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Bradford, Rhode Island.
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  • Hamden, Connecticut

    Boulder & Free Climb off the Blue Trail In Sleeping Giant SP

    Sleeping Giant State Park does not just have great hiking, it also has great climbing and bouldering. Pick up the blue trail starting at the backside of the visitor center. This trail climbs pretty steadily but take note that as you hike up the cliff below you is a great spot to checkout for boul...
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  • Hamden, Connecticut

    Hike the Tower Trail to the Blue Trail at Sleeping Giant SP

    5.0
    3 mi / 518 ft gain
    Sleeping Giant State Park is a place very close to my heart. I spent 4 years right across the street at Quinnipiac University and have hiked “The Giant” more times then I can count and at all different hours. There are a few different trails you can explore but my favorite one is up to the cliffs...
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  • Hamden, Connecticut

    Hike the Mill River Trail to the Blue Trail at Sleeping Giant SP

    5.0
    3 mi / 518 ft gain
    Since I was a child, I’ve always enjoyed hiking the Giant. As Connecticut parks go, this terrain is some of the most challenging (and unfortunately, the most dangerous) in the state. The actual ridge is approximately 2.75 miles long by 1.75 miles wide, and offers approximately 24 miles of hiking ...
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  • Meriden, Connecticut

    Higby Mountain Trail

    2.11 mi / 486 ft gain
    The popular route for this hike is to park your car at the base of the trail which is located right before merging onto 91-S in Middlefield, CT. The parking lot does seem to get crowded mid-day, especially if the weather is nice!  The beginning of the hike is mostly flatter land and an incline w...
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  • Franklin, Connecticut

    Hike Baileys Ravine at Ayer's Gap Preserve

    1.6 mi / 314 ft gain
    It's steep and rocky in the beginning but it levels out after a while! When standing in the parking lot, the trailhead is hidden! Look to the right. The trail ends on Ayer's Road so you have to walk back a little ways on the road.
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  • New Shoreham, Rhode Island

    Explore Block Island

    5.0
    Block Island, a small island off the coast of the Rhode Island mainland, is well-known as a local summer playland. Tourists typically go to the quaint New England island in the summer months for the biking, hiking, sailing, kayaking, fishing and 17 miles of beaches.Although you can bring a car o...
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  • New Shoreham, Rhode Island

    Walk to North Lighthouse

    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    In order to reach the Lighthouse you must walk along the trail that begins at the end of Corn Neck Rd. This walk is along the beach and then veers off to the left once you get closer to the light house (the seventh picture shows the start of the walk). It's only a half mile to the light house, bu...
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  • Meriden, Connecticut

    Hike the Metacomet, Blue, and Yellow Loop

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 976 ft gain
    Start from the Castle Craig road entrance. Walk until you're greeted by a beautiful reservoir. You'll notice the strange but beautiful Mine Island in the middle of all this. You'll also notice markers for White Trails and Yellow Trails. The White Trail is an easier/wider trail. The Yellow Trail C...
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  • Cheshire, Connecticut

    Hike to Roaring Brook Falls

    1.2 mi / 377 ft gain
    Arriving to the falls, parking is residential but don't worry everyone is friendly. Starting off the hike you will walk past a cool pond where you may be able to see some wildlife. Continuing on, you will follow the marked trail where it will take you further into the woods while gaining elevatio...
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  • Hopkinton, Rhode Island

    Hike to Long Pond & Ell Pond

    5.0
    5.7 mi
    Long & Ell Pond is a favorite hike at any time of the year, but it is not for the faint of heart (or small children)! The path immediately becomes more of a rock-scrambling adventure than a hike, but the views are so worth it.  This GPS address will lead you down a dirt road but you should ea...
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  • Patchogue, New York

    Camp at Fire Island's Watch Hill

    4.0
    2 mi
    If departing from NYC, catch the early LIRR train from Penn Station (or Atlantic Terminal) towards Patchogue. You may have to transfer at both Jamaica & Babylon, but it's an easy hop across the platform. Trip will take approximately an hour and a half and cost around $15, Off Peak, each way. ...
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  • Glastonbury, Connecticut

    Hike the Cotton Hollow Nature Preserve

    5.0
    3 mi
    There are two parking locations for Cotton Hollow, the location tagged in the directions is the shortest hike to the old gun powder mill. Suggestions when it comes to exploring the preserve are to stay on the trails, know your limits, and enjoy! There are swimming holes along the river, but swim ...
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  • Glastonbury, Connecticut

    Blackledge Falls

    4.0
    1.46 mi / 207 ft gain
    Although the park contains hiking trails, a pond and a streambelt, the primary draw of this parcel of land is the 25 foot waterfall. The falls flow varies depending on the volume of precipitation, from a trickle in the dry months to a three-pronged vertical drop after some consistent snow melt or...
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  • South Kingstown, Rhode Island

    Hike the Osprey Point Loop on Trustom Pond

    2 mi
    Careful on the drive in for deer! From the parking lot head right around the Farm Field Loop Trail then continue to your right down Osprey Point Trail (0.8 miles). This is where you will most likely see the deer up close. Continue to your right to the Osprey Point Overlook, which will (on a clear...
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  • Voluntown, Connecticut

    Hike Pachaug State Forest Trails

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 200 ft gain
    Lawden Brook Trail Loop is a 3.6 mile loop hike that takes you by a lake located near Voluntown, Connecticut.
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