Hiking

Glacial kettle ponds and erratics, rolling hills with panoramic vistas, parabolic dunes, coastal plain ponds, white Atlantic cedar swamps, dwarf pines, pitcher plants, and painted turtles describe the Pine Barrens, an area of natural beauty and diversity that welcomes great opportunities for hiking or strolling through the plentiful hiking trials and natural areas.  For more information regarding specific trails or for questions about hiking in the Pine Barrens, you can contact the Pine Barrens Trail Information Center (open from Memorial Day until late October) at (631)369-9768.  Below is a list of unique places you might enjoy.

TRAIL GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE!! Click here to download the complete guide book to print from your home computer. *Please note that this is a PDF file and the pages are arranged such that when printed and assembled, it will be in book format. Be sure to set your printer settings to "landscape" or "horizontal" view to accommodate standard letter size 8.5 x 11 paper.

Don't have a printer at home? Email us at info@pinebarrens.org and for a small donation to offset printing and postage costs, we will be happy to mail you a full-color copy!

Click on the links below to access electronic maps for some of the featured hikes in our trail guide, "A Sampler of Walks in the Long Island Pine Barrens" .

Before You Hike: An Introduction Start here to orient yourself with the Pine Barrens, learn helpful tips for health and safety, and get the details on permit requirements.

Birch Creek Road, Flanders. This walk follows tall pine trees all the way down to the shore of Flanders Bay. Access road on the north side of Route 24.

Brookhaven Trail and Brookhaven State Park Loops. This site boasts a new network of well-marked trails, is easy to access and sure to please everyone from all-day hikers to casual walkers. Access on east side of William Floyd Parkway, north of LIE.

Dwarf Pine Plains. Dwarf pine trees and Buck moths are plentiful here.  Accessed by Sunrise Highway and County Route 31. 

Hubbard County Park, easy access off Route 24 in Hampton Bays.

Pine Barrens Trails Information Center. “El’s Trail” Easy access off Long Island Expressway Exit 70 in Manorville.

Manorville Hills County Park. South from Long Island Expressway Exit 70 in Manorville.

Pine Trail to Sandy and Grassy Ponds. This trail winds through Rocky Point, Ridge and Manorville.  Access point along Route 25 just east of William Floyd Parkway, in Ridge. This walk offers a fine introduction to the interior of the Pine Barrens, including two beautiful ponds, without ever getting too far from “civilization.”

Paumanok Path: Pleasure Drive to Spinney Road a great hike along the Paumanok Path that traverses the eastern part of the Ronkonkoma Moraine.

Paumanok Path: Wading River Manor Road to Schultz Road. Another enjoyable stretch of the Paumanok Path, with easy access starting point from Manorville.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Take a walk in the beautiful Refuge for a short course in Pine Barrens ecology!

Rocky Point Natural Resource Management Area - Hike through 5,100 acres of hardwood forest, Harbor Hill Moraine, and kettle holes.  Access point on Route 25A in Rocky Point.  You must obtain a DEC permit to access these trails.  

Sarnoff Preserve is located in Riverhead, with easy proximity to both the North and South Forks.

Other Sites You Might Enjoy:

Randall Pond Nature Trail -  located within the DEC's Ridge Conservation area.  The trail stretches through 184 acres of mixed-wooded and open habitats.  No permit is required; open daily 8:30am to 5:00pm.  Access point located on Randall Road off of Route 25A.