The American Hiking Society picked the top ten most family-friendly trails in the country, comparing accessibility, ease and
amenities. "These trails offer families a quick, inexpensive, and healthy way to spend quality time together," said Mary Margaret Sloan, American Hiking president. "Parents can introduce hiking to children,
promoting a life-long enjoyment of trails that can lessen the risk of obesity and other health problems." Let's take a look from east to west.
This hike covers about two miles along the scenic Ipswich River. The first section, Lizzy’s Trail, is named for Lizzy Heerlein, a local resident. The trail then narrows and follows the rivers edge to a bridge which connects to an adjacent park. Local contact: John Hendrickson, 781-221-1133, East Coast Greenway. 45 minutes from downtown Boston.
10 minutes from downtown New York City. Trail Segment: Fort Lee – Rockefeller Lookout, 3.3 miles. This hike takes you along the spectacular Palisades of the Hudson River, overlooking New York City. Along the way old roads and rock walls mark former settlements. The Long Path was conceived in the 1930’s. The trail currently runs 365 miles from the George Washington Bridge to John Boyd Thatcher State Park near Albany. Contact: New York–New Jersey Trail Conference, 201-512-9348
20 minutes from downtown Orlando. Trail Segment: Little-Big Econ State Forest, 4.8 miles roundtrip. This hike begins at the Barr Street trailhead and follows the banks of the Econlockhatchee River to a junction with the Henry Flagler Rail-Trail. From the junction retrace your steps to the parking lot. This trail is a haven for wildlife including fox, otters, bobcats, sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, bald eagles and osprey. This trail is one segment of the 1300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.
25 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Trail Segment: Boston, PA – Dead Man’s Hollow, 2.3 miles. Hike north from Boston on the Youghiogheny River Trail for 0.8 miles to Dead Man’s Hollow, a 400 acre wildlife preserve. Turn left and follow the Dead Man’s Trail into the Preserve soon passing the ruins of a factory. After about .4 miles pass a massive 3 trunk sycamore and pass the Black Oak Trail. Continue looping left to return to the Youghiogheny River Trail. Turn right to return.
20 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C. Trail Segment: Angler’s Inn – Great Falls, MD, 2.3 miles. Hike starts at lot across from Angler’s Inn and follows canal towpath to Great Falls Tavern. Route passes through spectacular Widewater area, an old river channel used for the canal. A number of old locks and lock house remains invite exploration. The Billy Goat Trail and the Washington Aqueduct provide opportunities for loop hikes in the area.
30 minutes from downtown Cleveland. Trail Segment: Boston Store – Station Road Bridge, 4.3 miles. This hike follows a section of the famous Ohio & Erie Canal. Highlights include the Boston Store constructed in 1836, four historic locks and the Station Road Bridge, constructed in 1881. Trailheads at both ends of the hike make it easy to plan one-way trips. The Ohio & Erie Canal stretched for 308 miles from Cleveland, at Lake Erie to Portsmouth, Ohio on the Ohio River.
45 minutes from downtown Chicago. Trail Segment; Channahon – McKinley Woods, 3.0 miles. This wonderful walk starts in the village of Channahon by the locktenders house for Lock #6. It has been restored to look much as it did when it was built in 1848. From there pass under old shade trees, past lock #7 and on down the Des Plains River to McKinley Woods. The Illinois & Michigan Canal linked Chicago and LaSalle, Illinois.
50 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Trail Segment: Matson, MO – Augusta, MO, 5.7 miles. This linear hike follows the KATY rail-trail. The scenery alternates between mixed woods, open fields, towering limestone bluffs and dramatic views of the Missouri River. There is some shade but expect mostly open areas. The level crushed rock surface makes this trail ideal for everyone. This is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, where the explorers camped between 1804-1806.
45 minutes from downtown Portland. Trail is a 2.7 mile loop beginning at Old Columbia Highway in "waterfall alley" of the Columbia Gorge. Starting to the east of Horsetail Falls, you climb for .4 miles and pass behind Ponytail Falls. Emerging from behind the falls, follow the trail higher to Oneonta Falls. After crossing a footbridge above the falls, follow the Oneonta Gorge Trail back to the Old Columbia Highway. Bring a camera!
45 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Trail Segment: Coast – Laguna Loop, 5 miles. This is a gentle walk through coastal scrub and grasslands that features wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Sections of the route duck into and out of woods, and the changing fog, wind, rain and sun will offer an endless variety of views. Over 120 village sites of the Coast Miwok Indians exist within the park. It is believed that Sir Francis Drake landed here in 1579, the first European to do so.
