November 2‎, ‎2025 – Pocantico Hills, NY

Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

Length: approximately 4.7 miles

Max elevation: 499 ft. – total elevation gain: approximately 300 ft.

Route type: Circuit

Maps: Rockefeller State Park Preserve Trail Map 2023 – Rockefeller State Park Preserve Avenza Map

Trailhead parking: 176-94 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Overview:

Rockefeller State Park Preserve, established in 1983, offers visitors over 55 miles of scenic carriage roads that wind through woodlands, fields, and wetlands once part of the Rockefeller family estate. These historic roads, originally designed for horse-drawn carriages, now provide a peaceful setting for walking, jogging, and horseback riding. The park’s beautifully maintained network of trails showcases the natural beauty and historic charm of the Pocantico Hills landscape.

Swan Lake, located at the heart of Rockefeller State Park Preserve, is a man-made lake constructed in the early 20th century as part of the Rockefeller family estate’s landscape design. The lake covers roughly 22 acres and was created by damming a tributary of the Pocantico River to enhance the estate’s scenic character and provide a tranquil focal point for the surrounding carriage roads.

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Trails Overview:

Rockefeller State Park Preserve features over 45 miles of meticulously crafted carriage roads, originally designed by John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Jr. for horse-drawn travel through their Pocantico Hills estate. Built from layers of crushed stone and gravel, these gracefully winding roads now provide walkers, runners, and equestrians with peaceful routes through forests, fields, and rolling countryside. Each road is typically 10 to 12 feet wide, allowing comfortable passage for two carriages side by side.

The carriage roads at Rockefeller State Park Preserve are not blazed with traditional painted trail markers like those found in many hiking areas. Instead, they’re identified by blue wands corresponding to locations on the official park map.

Because many roads look similar and there are numerous junctions, visitors are encouraged to carry the preserve’s trail map—available at the visitor center, online, or through the Avenza GPS map app—to help with navigation.

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Hike Overview:

In 2019, the estate of David Rockefeller made a landmark 346-acre donation to Rockefeller State Park Preserve, marking one of the largest gifts of private land to New York State Parks in recent decades. This land, known as the Hudson Pines Farm property, was part of the Rockefeller family’s historic Pocantico Hills holdings and lies adjacent to the preserve near Bedford Road and Swan Lake.

This hike begins and ends on carriage roads that were once off-limits to the general public. The Pocantico Gate Trail, which starts along Bedford Road near the entrance to Kykuit, the historic Rockefeller estate, serves as a scenic gateway into Rockefeller State Park Preserve. This carriage road connects to others that wind past fenced pastures and shaded woodlands before joining a broader network of trails leading toward Swan Lake and the heart of the preserve.

This easy, clockwise loop circles Swan Lake and includes a short detour to the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture.

As shown in the graph below, this hike features only a modest change in elevation.

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The Hike:

There is roadside pull-off parking for approximately 12 to 14 vehicles at the Pocantico Gate Trailhead along Bedford Road (Route 448).

Proceed past the gate and continue straight through the four-way intersection, then bear right at the next fork to follow the Barnyard Hill Trail.

 

 

 

 

Heading north on the Barnyard Hill Trail, the path gently rises through open meadows bordered by post-and-wire fencing and clusters of hardwood trees. From the crest, you’re rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding farm fields, and with a bit of luck, you may spot dairy cows grazing peacefully in the fenced pastures of this working farm.

 

 

 

 

At the T-intersection, turn right to leave the Barnyard Hill Trail and continue onto the Farm Meadow Trail. This gently descending carriage road is bordered by quiet woodlands on both sides, offering a peaceful and scenic stretch through the preserve.

Follow the Farm Meadow Trail as it heads northeast, continuing straight through two four-way intersections. The route meanders between shady stretches of woodland and wide-open fields, offering a pleasant mix of forest cover and pastoral scenery.

 

 

 

After about 0.6 mile, the Farm Meadow Trail ends at a junction with Brothers’ Path, which enters from the right. Continue straight to follow Brothers’ Path, a scenic carriage road that loops around Swan Lake. Before long, the trees open up to reveal tranquil views of the shimmering water framed by gently sloping hills.

 

 

 

At the northern end of Swan Lake, bear right to stay close to the shoreline. The path to the left leads toward the park’s main entrance and Visitor Center off Route 117.

 

The carriage road is punctuated on the lakeside by “Rockefeller Teeth,” a row of jagged stones that add a dramatic, natural accent to the tranquil scenery along the shore. Their tooth-like appearance gives them their name.

From the northern end of Swan Lake, the view stretches south across calm, reflective waters framed by rolling hills and stately hardwoods. The gently curving shoreline and surrounding carriage roads create a classic Hudson Valley scene—peaceful, picturesque, and beautifully balanced between nature and design.

Brothers’ Path bears right and follows the shoreline along the east side of the lake.

Throughout the year, Swan Lake offers ever-changing views that capture the essence of each season. In autumn, the surrounding hills blaze with shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

A walk along Brothers’ Path on the east side of Swan Lake offers a peaceful, shaded route beneath tall oaks and maples, with frequent glimpses of the shimmering water through the trees. The gentle curves of the carriage road trace the shoreline, providing a serene and picturesque lakeside experience.

My understanding is that the New York and Putnam Railroad, nicknamed the Old Put, originally ran along this route. Around 1930–31, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had the tracks removed from his Pocantico Hills property and relocated them through the Saw Mill River Valley, along the eastern edge of the Rockefeller estate. The project, which cost an estimated $1 million, significantly reduced the railroad’s intrusion through the family’s private lands.

As Brothers’ Path curves right along the southern edge of Swan Lake, continue straight to join the Greenrock Road Trail. This wide carriage road stretches beneath a canopy of towering oaks and maples, offering tranquil woodland scenery and occasional views of the surrounding hills.

Along this stretch of the old railroad bed, the trail passes through rock cuts, where the stone was carved away to make way for the original rail line, now serving as a striking reminder of the area’s transportation history.

 

Along the way, you may spot cows grazing peacefully in the fenced pastures, adding to the pastoral charm of the surrounding farmland.

If you’d like to take a detour to Stone Barns, turn left onto the Stone Barns Path and follow it uphill, bearing left at the forks and watching for signs along the way. The detour adds roughly half a mile, depending on how much exploring you do at Stone Barns. I hadn’t been there in a few years, so I decided to pay a visit. If you choose to skip this side trip, simply continue straight on Greenrock Road to return to Bedford Road.

 

 

 

 

We wanted to see the farm animals, so we walked past the greenhouses and Visitor Center, then turned left after passing the main Stone Barns complex. From there, we continued toward the red-roofed barns, where the farm animals are housed.

 

On this day, only a few goats and some chickens were out and about. A farm worker mentioned that there were no pigs at the moment, though I spotted at least three of them foraging in the woods as we were leaving the complex—perhaps a few curious escapees.

 

 

From this high point, views of the new Tappan Zee Bridge and the distant Palisades emerge above the treetops, offering a scenic glimpse beyond the rolling hills of Stone Barns.

 

When you’ve finished exploring the Stone Barns complex, retrace your steps to Greenrock Road and turn left. Continue along Greenrock Road for approximately one-third of a mile.

 

At the three-way intersection, take the middle trail, which is the Pocantico Gate Trail. Follow it a short distance back to the parking area on Bedford Road, where your hike began.

 

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Review:

With its well-maintained carriage roads, minimal elevation change, and exceptional scenery, this loop is ideal for both casual walkers and seasoned hikers seeking a peaceful escape just minutes from Tarrytown.

Pros:

Historic carriage roads, beautiful Swan Lake views, relatively easy navigation, picturesque landscapes, minimal elevation gain.

Cons:

No restrooms, benches, or water sources near the Bedford Road access point. The area around Swan Lake is popular with walkers, joggers, and photographers, and can become quite busy on pleasant days.

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Sources:

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve
• RAILROAD TO QUIT ROCKEFELLER LAND

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