Clear your mind and treat yourself to a rejuvenating getaway in one of New York’s oldest and most cherished retreats from the hubbub of city life. Extensive trail network connect open farmland, mountain terrain, picturesque upstate villages and historic mansions. Breathtaking at any time of the year, the Valley is even more so during the fall with the fiery palette of foliage from the region’s numerous varieties of trees.
The accommodation is a cozy B&B in the charming village of Millbrook, the perfect place to end your day with a cold drink on the porch or by a roaring fireplace with a glass of cider.
Hyde Park:
You will begin in historic Hyde Park and walk parts of the Hyde Park Trail linking the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Sites, along and above the mighty Hudson River. You will have direct access to the river at Bard Rock on the Vanderbilt estate and Crumb Elbow Point at the Roosevelt property. The Trail sometimes climbs the ridge bordering the river, passing through small swampy areas, streams, rock outcrops, and wooded areas, and meanders through the beautifully tailored grounds of the estates. You may choose to tour Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s home, library, rose garden, and the museum, which are located on the grounds.
At the Vanderbilt mansion, the former home of Frederick Vanderbilt, you’ll have the opportunity to view a vast collection of antique furnishings obtained in Europe. The landscaping includes a restored formal Italian garden and the views of and across the Hudson River are magnificent.
If we have the time and the inclination we’ll swing east to Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill, and perhaps up to historic Rhinebeck on our way back to charming Millbrook.
Stissing Mountain:
Your day begins with a climb of the 1,403' Stissing Mountain in northern Dutchess County, near the village of Pine Plains. Our goal will be the beautifully restored 1934-vintage fire tower at the summit. You will ascend gradually along an old wooded road through young mixed hardwoods and occasional wetland areas. The 2.8-mile trail reaches and follows the crest of the ridge through open woods, then flattens out as you approach the 90-foot steel fire tower. The 360-degree view from the tower, show the Catskills across the Hudson Valley in the west to the imposing Taconic Range and distant peaks of Massachusetts and Connecticut in the east, each of which will take your breath away.
Back down in the valley, an easy 2.5-mile loop walk on Nature Conservancy property surrounding serene glacial Thompson Pond, just below the eastern slopes of Stissing, is a nice end to the day.
Dutchess County Gardens:
Today, you will stroll through two fascinating northern Dutchess County gardens: Wethersfield and Innisfree. Wethersfield, on the vast former hunt country estate of Chauncey Devereux Stillman, is a 10-acre classical garden, inspired by 17th Century Italian Renaissance gardens. A Wethersfield guide will lead you through East Garden, Cupid Fountain, Arborvitae Arch, the uncannily peaceful Arborvitae Allee, Water Garden, the sanctuary-like Inner Garden, Pine Terrace, Peacock Walk, the imposing Belvedere, and more. The artwork of Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Toulouse Lautrec await you on the guided tour of the mansion. Later, you will have time to explore on your own. Don't miss the statue-lined Wilderness Walk, where you will meet Hercules, Orpheus, Diana, and a 13-ton limestone Centaur!
Innisfree, formerly the private garden of Walter and Marion Beck, consists of a series of Chinese “cup gardens”. Each cup garden is designed to draw your attention to something rare and beautiful – a sculpture, a fountain, a grotto, a waterfall, a meadow – by establishing the suggestion of an enclosure, so that you can enjoy it without distraction. The vast garden encircles a 45-acre serene glacial lake, and you will be enticed to the individual cup gardens by a trail system that scenically meanders around the lake.
Brace Mountain:
The walk today will literally be the high point of our walks, as we ascend the highest peak in Dutchess County, 2,311' Brace Mountain in the dramatic Taconic Range. We can extend our walk to 2,240' Alander Mountain, the highest point in neighboring Columbia County, at the discretion of the group.
You will ascend the South Taconic Trail on the west escarpment, passing a high waterfall and ascending cliffs along switchbacks with open views to the west. You then continue north along the escarpment, treated to many impressive vistas to the south and the west. You will cross the open summit of South Brace (2,304'), and reach the open summit of Brace at 1.9 miles, with views to the northeast of Mount Frissell in Massachusetts and Bear Mountain, the highest mountain in Connecticut. Here we will have the option to continue 3.8 miles to Alander, crossing in and out of New York and Massachusetts. Once back down in the valley, we will also have the option to do a short hike to scenic Bash Bish Falls, and to stop in a charming café or bakery in Millerton.
Wine Trail:
You won't walk great distances or climb daunting mountains today, but you should have a good time tasting and touring as we visit 3 nearby Dutchess County wineries along the “Dutchess County Wine Trail”. Cascade Mountain Winery is nestled on the top of the Berkshire foothills, and features a restaurant that highlights locally grown food in its innovative menu. Cascade produces Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rose.
Clinton Vineyards is a beautifully landscaped estate winery with historic barns, a pond, and gardens. It is the only winery in the U.S. the produces Cassis, and the exclusive Hudson Valley producer of sparkling wines fermented in the bottle in the champenoise method. Seyval Blanc and dessert wines are also produced.
Millbrook Vineyards is nestled on a hillside on a 130-acre estate made for strolling, with 3 beautiful ponds and scenic views. Fully guided tours will explain the entire wine making process. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc are yours for the tasting. If we have the time and the inclination, your “designated driver” will swing north to the Alison Vineyards near Red Hook, where wines are produced in a converted 1840s dairy barn with panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains from the property. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can be sampled. A votre sante!
Departure: Farewell and come back soon!
2008 Dates: June 22-27, July 20-25, August 10-15, September 7-12, September 28-October 3, October 12-17.
Meeting Point: B&B in Dutchess County. Transfers are not included, rental car recommended.
Other Activities: Biking, antique shopping, wine tasting, fishing, clay pigeon shooting.
Difficulty of Walk: The walks range from pleasant strolls on gentle terrain through picturesque gardens, wineries and historic estates to hikes involving a gradual ascent of a long wooded ridge on an old woods road and an at-times challenging (but rewarding) climb to a 2,311ft summit on marked, well trodden hiking trails.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$1,330 per person, shared; $275 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights B&B accommodation
- 4 days guided walking
- Breakfast and lunch each day
- Tax.
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