8 Gorgeous Bike Trails Near Carmel, NY

Biking is a great way to exercise, spend time outside, and visit local sites. There are many biking trails in and around the Carmel area, and you can find them for all biking levels. Whether you’re just getting on two wheels and want to do some sightseeing or like the challenge of mountain biking, here’s where you can find some of the most scenic biking trails near Carmel.

Fahnestock State Park

Fahnestock State Park is a beautiful park and an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The 14,086-acre park has plenty of biking trails, whether you want an easy scenic ride or to tackle the mountain biking trails.

• Fahnestock Trail: This trail is good for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running. It has a green rating, making it one of the easier mountain biking trails in the park.
• Hubbard Loop: This trail is an old road that’s been converted into a trail. It’s a double-track biking trail and runs in both directions.
• Clove Creek (Wicopee to Fahnestock): This is a 2-mile green single-track trail. It has an easy rating overall but includes a 76-foot blue climb.
• Stillwater: This double-track trail has some very steep climbs and unpredictable conditions, making it a good trail for experienced mountain bikers. It runs for 3.4 miles and features a 348-foot climb. It takes the average rider about 30 minutes to complete.

These trails in Fahnestock State Park are ideal for mountain biking. If you prefer a flatter ride, you can ride a bike through the park.

Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary

The Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary is an outdoor oasis right in the heart of Carmel. It has a nice hiking trail and is a great place to bring the bikes for the day. There are some great beginner trails in the sanctuary, and you can connect to the Putnam Trailway if you want to extend your ride.

Maybrook Trailway

The Maybrook Trailway is a 9-mile trail that runs from Brewster to Pawling. It’s part of the Empire State and starts just north of Brewster. You can find a trail entrance right off North Main Street and follow the trail north. It passes through dense woods, takes you by ponds and wetlands, and through farmlands.

You’ll get to bike over the Towners Bridge and pass by Ice Pond and Lake Tonetta. This section ends in Pawling at the trailhead parking at the intersection of Route 292. Keep in mind that this part of the trail has relatively few access points and crossroads. It has long stretches of trail, making it ideal for a great ride.

Putnam Trailway

The Putnam Trailway is a section of the Empire State Trail. It runs for 9 miles and is an off-road paved trail. The multi-use trail is perfect for bikers of all abilities and runs from Mahopac to Brewster. The scenic rail trail starts at a trailhead parking area in Mahopac. You can find it at Croton Falls Road and Mud Pond Road intersection, but there are several parking areas along the way, so you can park partway along the trail if you want to make it a shorter ride.

Once you get on the trail, it follows the Putnam Trailway north. It winds through the woods and takes you by small lakes and some local communities. It passes through Carmel and ends just west of Brewster.

Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area

The Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area is a popular spot for bikers. The area has three named mountains, making it a fun spot for mountain bikers. The 13 miles of trails feature all types of riding, from easy to black diamond trails. Access Road is a 1-mile dirt and gravel trail with an easy climb. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete this trail, making it a good choice for beginner bikers.

Caumsett State Park

Caumsett State Park in Huntington features an 8-mile loop mountain biking trail. It’s a good trail for all mountain biking skill levels and features a variety of wildflowers to see along the way. The park sits on a scenic peninsula that extends into Long Island Sound and has various trails, including fire roads, single and double tracks, bridle paths, and more. The trails take you near the rocky shoreline, through acres of woodland, and through meadows and salt marsh.

The park features 31 mountain biking trails, with many rated easy for beginners. You can also find intermediate trails for a little more of a challenge.

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

You’ll find Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights. The park features a variety of trails designed for hiking and biking, or you can pedal along the roads within the park. The Roosevelt Mountain Bike Trail is a 5-mile trail. It’s an easy trail, perfect for families or beginner riders. The gravel path runs through hardwood forests and takes you by Crom Pond and Mohansic Lake. Riders who want more mountain biking experience can take the single-track route that runs parallel to the wider dirt trail. This trail starts at the south end of the first parking lot.

North County Trailway

The North County Trailway is a biking and pedestrian trail on the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The entire railway runs for over 22 miles, starting in Eastview in Mount Pleasant to the town of Somers on the border of Putman County. There are just over 5 miles of the North County Trailway in Yorktown. You can enter the trail at the parking access just south of Kitchwan or use the two parking areas in Yorktown Heights.

The parks and railways near Carmel offer great biking spots whether you like to tackle the mountains or stay on flat ground. If you have a favorite biking trail we missed, stop by Meadowland GMC and tell us about it. While you’re here, we can show you a GMC truck to get you and your bikes to your next ride.

Photo Credits: Image by Bo Gordy-Stith is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

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