West Branch Nature Preserve
New York 10, Hamden, NY 13782
Hours open
Monday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Photos
Location & Phone number
About the Business
Welcome to the West Branch Nature Preserve, a serene 450-acre haven nestled in the heart of Delaware County, New York. Located at New York 10, Hamden, NY 13782, this enchanting park offers a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.
Embark on an invigorating journey as you ascend partway up a mountainside, traversing lush forests teeming with diverse wildlife. Discover the historical charm of a stand of pines and hemlocks along the blue trail, believed to have flourished in a clearing left from a farm abandoned in the 1830s. Witness the resilience of nature in the aftermath of a powerful 2003 windstorm that reshaped the landscape.
From the Albany area, follow the Thruway west to Exit 25A and find yourself at the preserve’s welcoming entrance. Begin your adventure at the sign-in box near the parking area, where a gentle path leads you uphill across a picturesque meadow. Midway, marvel at a majestic red oak on your right and a grand white oak on your left.
Venture straight ahead from the intersection onto a 0.5-mile trail marked with blue signs, guiding you through a splendid grove of ancient pines and hemlocks, offering breathtaking views of a mountain stream. Choose to extend your hike by joining the lower orange trail for a more challenging ascent, or return to the intersection for a gentle retreat.
For seasoned hikers, the 2.0-mile orange trail offers a thrilling climb up a steep mountainside, following an old logging road. Along the way, encounter sugar maple, red maple, and beech trees, with oak trees gracing the upper slopes. Note the unique 'speed bumps' designed to prevent erosion by diverting water flow.
Nature lovers will appreciate the rare riverweed (Podostemum ceratophyllum), a species of concern in New York, flourishing in the Delaware River at the southern edge of the preserve.
Connect with the broader landscape via a newly constructed trail linking the preserve to the Catskill Scenic Rail Trail. This new path begins across Route 10 from the West Branch Preserve Parking Lot.
Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or an adventurous hike, West Branch Nature Preserve promises a memorable experience amidst the natural beauty of Hamden, New York.
Reviews
"Very nice hike super peaceful"
"Mom & daughter ventured up this path and chose the more difficult of two marked paths. Beautiful area. Keep an eye out for the car pull off."
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