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Forest bathing is a Japanese art of taking a mindful walk in a peaceful place; here are options in the Hudson Valley Wochit, Wochit

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Looking for a place to take a post-Thanksgiving hike? What you want is easy access (read available parking) some scenic views, and preferably a hike that’s more strollable than scalable (we applaud those hearty souls who can scramble up Anthony’s Nose after a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, but for most of us, a pedestrian stroll is going to fit the bill.

Here are some options:

Bear Mountain State Park

You can begin with an easy stroll around Hessian Lake (it’s right next to the Bear Mountain Inn) on a 1.5-mile level, paved trail, but options abound from there. Turn right at the zoo and there’s an additional mile-long trail down to the Hudson River and Bear Mountain’s dock. There are more challenging trails that connect to the Appalachian Trail and the Long Path; others snake their way to the top of Bear Mountain. Find a trail map at https://parks.ny.gov/parks. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails and the park has a lodge with food options and bathrooms. Open daily, year-round, 8 a.m. to sunset. $10 parking per vehicle weekends. 

Teatown Lake Reservation

Teatown’s 15 miles of hiking trails spread over 1,000 acres offer options to all comers, from novice to expert. For a post-T Day hike with the family, we like the newly formed Three Lakes Loop, a combination of the Twin Lakes Trail, The Waterfall Trail, and Hilltop Trail, which wanders along two lakes, farm fields and has a little challenge. Open daily from dawn to dusk. $5 parking fee Friday-Sunday and holidays for nonmembers. 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining. 914-762-2912. Find trail info at teatown.org

Rockefeller State Park Preserve

This vast preserve covers 1,400 acres which were once part of the Rockefeller family estate in Pocantico Hills. Its historic carriage roads wind over rivers, around lakes, woodlands, streams, meadows and fields. A nice option is the trail that meanders around the preserve’s Swan Lake. Trail maps that include descriptions of the carriage roads’ distances and grades are available at the Preserve Office on Route 117, but you can also access via the entrance to the Stone Barns Center on Bedford Road. There is a $6 per vehicle entry fee on weekends and holidays Nov. 1-March 31. Open every day from sunrise to sunset. 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville. 914-631-1470. nysparks.com/parks/59

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

At 4,315 acres, Westchester’s largest park has plenty of room to roam. The hikes range from easy (great for kids!) to intermediate. Maps are available on the website, while directions and pamphlets are available in the Trailside Nature Museum. $10 parking fee on weekend. County park pass not required. Open every day, 8 a.m. to dusk. Route 35 and 121 South, Cross River. 914-864-7317. parks.westchestergov.com

Rockland Lake State Park 

This is an ideal walk for the entire family, kids on scooters, babies in strollers and grandparents who are moving kinda slow. Why? This is a level, paved path that runs for 3.2-miles around Rockland Lake. If you’d rather trot than walk, the Rockland County Road Runners will be hosting the annual Turkey Trot from 8-11 a.m. Thanksgiving in the park. There’s ample parking, bathroom facilities and the views are pretty sweet. Pets are not allowed on paved paths in the park. 299 Rockland Lake Road, Valley Cottage, https://parks.ny.gov/parks/81/details.aspx.

Constitution Marsh

The views of the Hudson Highlands are spectacular from the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary. The trail to the marsh is about a mile long, and while it’s not totally flat — there are some steep and rocky sections — it leads to a 700-foot boardwalk that allows visitors to walk right into the 270-acre tidal marsh habitat. Note: There is limited parking and enforcement is rigorous so only park in designated areas at the intersection of Warren Landing Road and Indian Brook Road.127 Warren Landing Road, Garrison, 845-265-2601, constitutionmarsh.audubon.org

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