Clarence Fahnestock State Park in Putnam County, New York

Take the Taconic north.  You'll see a sign for Clarence Fahnestock State Park.  Get off at the next exit.  Drive West until you see cars parked on both sides of the road.  Park your car on the side of the road behind the other cars.  Cross the road and see a trail head on the south side of the road.  Follow the red trail markers on the trees.  This will take you deep into the forest.  Now, with the leaves off the trees and the floor covered with pale tan oak, beech, maple leaves, you get the feeling of walking on a carpet of gold.

You won't see other people.  It'll be you and the forest and the trees and the gentle hills and the sunlight coming through.  You'll come to a wide carriage trail, also blanketed with the leaves of the forest.  Take a right and follow the carriage trail until you see yellow markers on the trees.  Follow the yellow trail until it takes you high above a blue lake.  Sit on a rock, look at the sun reflecting off the water and there's no other place you would rather be. 

The beauty of the Forest reaches deep into one's soul.

Briarcliff Peekskill Trailway in Westchester

This used to be a railway line.  Now, it's paved and on both sides of the walkway, covered with trees.  Get off at the Underhill exit on the Taconic State parkway.  Drive south to Route 120.  Drive East along route 120, and you'll see a German restaurant on your right and then a little further east, a parking area for the trailway on your left.

Start walking south on the trailway and you'll cross on a beautiful, old bridge that spans the Croton Reservoir.  Wonderful water views.  Keep on going south and you'll see a lake on your left with swans.  Keep on walking south and you're in a forest walking on a paved path.  The trees surround you, embrace you.  You and the forest are friends.  You can walk for over 20 miles round trip on this trailway.  Turn back when you think you'll get tired.