In 2005, The Town of North Salem, with support from the North Salem Open Land Foundation, purchased this 66-acre property to keep it from being developed with 40+ housing units. It has become a local treasure. The preserve is accessed off Old School House Road in the hamlet of Purdys.
Stewards: Brian Bartsch and Xenia von Lilien-Waldau
Trail Description
This is a fairly moderate trail beginning with a few wooden steps located at the end of Old School House Road. The flat but rocky trail then winds up a fairly steep hill for a good half-mile. Along the way, hikers can see plenty of trees, vines, stone walls and barberry, the predominant vegetation, as well as wildlife such frogs,pileated wood peckers, goshawk, turkeys, fox and of course deer.
Stepping off the ridge, the trail winds around and down for another ½ mile or so. There is a small creek to cross and you may encounter a few fallen trees and a stone wall to climb over. All in all, this 30-minute loop is a nice hike, aside from the bites of a few summer horseflies.
Please be mindful when parking to not to block any of the resident’s driveways.
The hiking trail was created as an Eagle Scout project by Russel Aronchick, Troop 1, North Salem, NY.