Love the crisper weather and long to get outdoors to view the changing colors in the leaves? Check the tires on your bike, grab your helmet, round up your kids and head to upstate New York to enjoy a fall cycling adventure through picturesque towns along the rims of glittering lakes and on trails winding through deep forests.
Adirondacks
If you long for wilderness immersion and ancient forests, choose the Ausable Chasm, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. There’s good reason in the dramatic landscape for the comparison, particularly at natural sites such as the serene Mystic Gorge, Rainbow Falls, Elephant’s Head, Hyde’s Cave and Column Rock. Areas include natural stone walkways and 15 miles of mountain biking trails in the Ausable Chasm Recreation Center that suit all levels of riders. More experienced mountain bikers can opt for challenging trails at Dewey Mountain, Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain.
Saratoga
John Boyd Thacher State Park is the perfect destination for wildlife viewing from a bike saddle. Located upon the Helderberg Escarpment, where countless fossils have been discovered, the park has a landscape filled with rocky slopes, cliffs, forest and meadows with views of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. Try the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, or head over to Daniels Road State Forest for a range of demanding biking trails.
The Catskills
In the Catskills Mountains, the Catskill Scenic Trail Loop provides space to pedal along 19 miles of gorgeous pathways. You can even take advantage of bike lifts that will transport you and your bike to the top of Plattekill Mountain so you can enjoy the downhill rush of cruising back to the trail base at the bottom.
Finger Lakes
The legendary Finger Lakes region is a cycling paradise. Try the paved Cayuga Waterfront Trail in Ithaca, a 5.5-mile-long biking path that skirts scenic picnic areas perfect for pausing for a snack. Serious mountain bikers can test their skills at Harriet Hollister Spencer Park, Taughannock Falls State Park and Robert H. Treman State Park.
Hudson Valley
The bucolic Hudson Valley has a collection of charming towns linked by soothing landscapes. Gentle rides appropriate for families can be found along the trails in Minnewaska State Park Reserve in Ulster County’s Shawagunk Mountains. Cyclists will be treated to views of multiple waterfalls, plus three sky lakes, streams meandering through dreamy valleys and thick forests of hardwood trees.
Read This Next
5 Tips for First-Time Campers
Travel Tips
Apr 26, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
May 3, 2024Visit the Founding Texan Towns of Dr. Pepper, Blue Bell Ice Cream and More
Did you know Blue Bell Ice Cream was founded in a small Texas city? Or how about your beloved Dr. Pepper? Family travelers looking to take a quirky vacation should make for Texas, where some of the most beloved U.S. brands we know and love today originated.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Destinations / North America
May 3, 2024Reasons to Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Greater Williamsburg, Virginia
Plan your Memorial Day weekend family travel to Williamsburg, Virginia.
Destinations / Mexico
May 2, 2024Treat Mom This Mother’s Day at Montage Los Cabos
Mom deserves to be treated special every day, but, for the one day a year devoted just to her, Montage Los Cabos, in Cabo San Lucas, is pulling out all the stops. This Mother’s Day, the beachside resort honors moms with special experiences designed to make her feel all the love she deserves.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Destinations / North America
May 2, 20245 Montana National Park Vacations to Experience This Summer
Home to some of the country’s most beautiful national parks, Montana beckons family travelers this summer with some thrilling and fun adventures and experiences. Whether it’s taking an RV to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park or embarking on adventures in Big Sky, here’s five national park vacations to consider in Montana this summer.
ShareThis