By Joanna Kutler, Travily
Tucked away in Bedford, New York is the Mianus River Gorge Preserve, offering miles of woodland trails and a beautiful waterfall, all set within 764 acres of lush woodland. The Gorge is a private preserve, not a public park. Admission is free to all and the trails are open only for hiking (no biking, no pets, no camping, etc.). The park is open from 8:30-5:00pm, April 1- November 30.
The hiking paths are narrow, winding and rugged, with some decent hill climbs. There are well-placed markers along the trail routes to indicate your position on the trail map and points of interest. Trails are of varying lengths, from .6 miles round trip to 4.4 miles round trip.
The Gorge was formed by the rushing waters of the Wisconsin glacier which began melting 10,00-15,000 years ago. The water found a weakness in the confining rock and formed a cascade. In time, the erosive effect of the water weakened the face of the waterfall, causing it to move steadily backward, and leaving a long narrow channel. Thousands of years of rushing water have widened and deepened the Gorge, to its present state.
At the end of the red trail lies the Havemeyer Falls, which is a wonderful destination point for a hike and a great way to enjoy this wonderful Fall weather!.