Hiking
SELECTED TRAILS
1. Long Island Greenbelt Trail, 32 miles along .Connetquot and Nissequogue. Winding Na.tional Recreation Trail goes from Heckscher State Park on Great South Bay to Sunken .Meadow bluffs on the Sound. Access at Connetquot River State Park Preserve on south (Sunrise and Montauk highways), and on the north at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Jericho Turnpike between Bull statue and Old Willets Path (preserve closed Mon. and Tue.); and Nissequogue River State Park (St. Johnland Road). Other access: Heckscher State Park (Field 8), Sunken Meadow State Park (Field 3) and Blydenburgh County Park (New Mill Road) on the north.
2. Long Island Pine Barrens Trail, encompassing nearly 50 miles of footpaths in eastern Suffolk. Meanders past maple swamps, ponds and overlooks, extending from Rocky Point to Shinnecock Canal through the pine barrens. Includes Rocky Point Preserve, Pine Trail Preserve, Peconic River watershed, Maple Swamp and Sears Bellows County Park. Segments of trail managed by state, and a written permit is required to hike this trail or to park a vehicle; call Department of Environmental Conservation, 631-444-0273. Other access: Pine Trail Preserve parking area on Route 25, half a mile east of William Floyd Parkway. Trail is part of the 130-mile Paumanok Path that runs from Rocky Point to Shinnecock Canal, has a few links in Southampton, and leads from East Hampton border to Montauk Point. Write to Greenbelt Trail Conference, P.O. Box 5636, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Or stop at Pine Barrens Trail Information Center, Long Island Expressway Exit 70, Manorville. For special events, see Pine Barrens Web site http://pb .state.ny.us
3. Long Island Seashore Trail, 7 miles between Watch Hill and Smith Point on Fire Island. State's only designated Federal Wilderness Area; ocean views, high-dune scenery, deer (occasional stargazing talks in spring and summer; call 631-289- 4810). Get information at Watch Hill Visitors Center at west end of trail, and at Otis Pike Wilderness Visitors Center by Smith Point County Park, east end. Watch Hill center is reached by ferry from Patchogue, where there's parking. Or park at Smith Point County Park near trail's east end.
4. Nassau-Suffolk Trail, 20 miles between Massapequa Preserve on South Shore and Cold Spring Harbor on north. In woods, hawks, foxes and mountain laurel may be seen. Main entrance on Ocean Avenue, north of Merrick Road. Trail follows Carroon's Lake shore to a log bridge, where vegetation begins to change to pine barrens. Later, trail cuts near Bethpage Parkway. Cold Spring Harbor end is at Route 25A; a Greenbelt .parking area is on south side. Stretch of Nassau-Suffolk Trail from here to Stillwell Woods, Syosset, has trees not seen in pine barrens.
5. Northwest Path, 6-mile path in East Hampton town, part of Paumanok Path. At heart of trail, which moves to Chatfield's Hole west of Bull Path, are white pine groves. Trail's end boasts wetlands with foliage and bird life. Deer and red-tailed hawks seen. Start at Route 114 at Edwards Hole Road. Park on Edwards Hole Road. Yellow triangles to Bull Path mark the blazed portion. Closed November-March; call for accessibility other times. Maps are $3 from town clerk, 631-324-4143; also available for Hither Hills and Montauk trails.
6. Red Creek Park, a 5-mile loop in Red Creek Town Park, Southampton. Spotted and red-tailed hawks, blue heron, pheasant, kettle holes, deer and, in October, monarch butterflies seen. Maps available at park entrance on Old Riverhead Road (off Route 24) in Hampton Bays. Parking areas open to all. Call 631-728-8585.
7. Walt Whitman Trail, an 8-mile trail from the Whitman home through West Hills County Park, Huntington. Circular trail includes Jaynes Hill, the highest point on Long Island. Trail links up with the Nassau- .Suffolk Trail. Park at county park entrance off Sweet Hollow Road. Parking also near Jaynes Hill on Reservoir Road.
8. Stump Pond Trail, 5-mile trail begins at the L.I. Greenbelt Trail office at the north end of Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown and winds around 164-acre Stump Pond. Tours of historic area at 1 p.m. Sat. Call 631-360-0753.
Clubs/Organizations
Adirondack Mountain Club, Melville. Meets 8 p.m. second Thur. of the month September-June (except October) at St. Elizabeth's Parish Hall, 175 Wolf Hill Rd., Melville, 516-354-0231 before 9 p.m., www.adkli.org.
Activities: Informative and educational programs, easy-to-strenuous weekly outings and backpacking with seasonal options on Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondack areas. Carpooling available. Special event June 3. See Web site for details.
East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, P.O. Box 2144, Amagansett, 631- 329-4227, www.hike-li.com.
Activities: Free hikes Wed. and Sat. year-round.
Membership: $20 per household.
Group For The South Fork, 2442 Main St., P.O. Box 569, Bridgehampton, 631- 537-1400, www.groupforthesouthfork.org.
Activities: More than 40 hikes a year; $5 per hike (free for members and 12 and younger accompanied by adult).
Membership: $50 per family.
Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, P.O. Box 5636, Hauppauge, 631- 360-0753, www.hike-ligreenbelt.com.
Activities: Nonprofit group dedicated to developing and maintaining trails. Conducts more than 150 guided hikes annually in addition to tours of the Blydenburgh-Weld House, Blydenburgh County Park north entrance, New Mill Road, Smithtown, 1 p.m. every Sat. Also staffs Trails Information Center in Manorville (County Road 111) April through October.
Membership: $30 includes maps, $20 without maps.
Nassau Hiking And Outdoor Club, P.O. Box 321, West Hempstead, 631-223- 2164, www.nhoc.org. Meets third Tue. 8 p.m. (except August and January) at the special events center, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow.
Activities: Hiking, biking and all outdoor activities on and off Long Island and conservation activities. Also singles events.
Membership: $20, $25 family.
Seatuck Environmental Association, P.O. Box 31, Islip, 631-581-6908, www.seatuck.org.
Activities: Hikes, preschool and family programs, monthly lectures.
Membership: $20 per person, $30 per family.
Sierra Club Long Island Group, P.O. Box 210, Syosset, 516-826-0801, http://newyork.sierra club.org/longisland. Monthly executive committee meetings; quarterly community meetings; check Web for details.
Activities: Member-supported, public interest organization promoting conservation of the natural environment. Activities to help raise public awareness include hikes, bike trips, canoe trips and nature walks, which all focus on conservation or the environment; nonmembers welcome for all activities. Seasonal newsletter available.
Membership: $25 introductory fee, $39 per year renewal.
Southampton Trails Preservation Society, P.O. Box 1171, Bridgehampton, 631-537-5202, www.hike-li.com/stps.
Activities: Hikes every Sat. and Sun. year round; and Thur. twice a month during summer months (all hikes are free).
Membership: $20 per person, $35 per household.
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