When winter comes, the woods beckon, as the notion of a walk on the beach conjures up a biting chill and a windburned face in these coldest months of the year.
It’s a mostly tick-less season, where you can see the lay of the land through the leafless trees. It’s a season of clear blue skies and hard, easily trod ground, made a feast for the eyes by the crackle of frosted leaves, or a light powder of snow on the ground.
As an added bonus, the trees provide a great break against the hefty winds that rock our shoreline.
We’re also lucky to have so many groups dedicated to getting our friends and neighbors out on the trails here. Below is a sampling of some great group hikes on the East End in the days and weeks ahead.
On Sunday, Dec. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Southampton Trails Preservation Society will lead a moderately-paced three- mile hike from Southampton Youth Services (SYS) at 1370A Majors Path in Southampton to Long Springs, passing by springs, streams and ponds along the way. Call Eric and Hilary Woodward for more details at 631.903.7895
The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society holds its annual 6-mile Hither Woods New Year’s Hike at at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Bring a lunch and liquids, and meet at the Hither Hills West Overlook on the north side of Montauk Highway for a three-hour, six-mile hike. Email richardwhalen@optonline.net for details.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation hosts a First Day Hike at the Ridge Conservation Areas, 484 Randall Road in Ridge on New Year’s DAy at 10 a.m. (Arrive at 9:45 for prompt departure) It’s a 2.25 mile walk through forest, grassland and pond habitats. More details are at. dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/first-day-hikes
Orient Beach State Park will also host a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day at 10 a.m. If it’s raining that morning, call the park office at 631.323.2440 to see if the hike is still happening. Montauk Point State Park hosts a First Day Hike at Camp Hero on New Year’s Day at 9 a.m., beginning a the lower lot by the restroom. Here’s More Info.
New Year’s hikes continue next Saturday, Jan. 4, with a Winter Bird Walk with naturalist Steve Biasetti of the Group for the East End at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, 3 Old Country Road, Quogue from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and a New Year’s Nature Hike, also with Group for the East End at Downs Farm Preserve, 23800 Main Road, Cutchogue from 1 to 2 p.m. Registration is required at thegroup.org/nature-outings
The South Fork Natural History Museum at 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton also hosts a Birding for Beginners Walk in Vineyard Field at 10 a.m. Jan. 4. More details are at sofo.org
A Full Moon Hike will be held on Friday, Jan. 10 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, 3 Old Country Road in Quogue. Registration is required at quoguewildliferefuge.org/event-directory
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt holds a Full Wolf Moon Hike at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 at the South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike. It’s a leisurely hike through Vineyard Fields followed by light refreshments and conversation. Email greenbeltnews@aol.com to register for this free event.
Also this month, Peconic Baykeeper & the Peconic Estuary Partnership’s Winter Watershed Walk Series continues Jan. 11 from 10 to 11 at Peconic Bog County Park in Riverhead at the end of South River Road. Contact alexa@peconicbaykeeper.org for details.
For something magical, visit the Light the Winter Night Trail Walk, Saturday, Jan. 18 at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, 3 Old Country Road in Quogue from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. It’s a magical winter evening walk through gently lit forest trails. More details are at quoguewildliferefuge.org.
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