If you plan on moving to Long Island, NY, you’re in luck! This area is a great place to call home, with many attractions and activities to keep you busy year-round.

One of the best parts about living on Long Island has to be how easy it is to get outside and enjoy nature. You might be in the middle of a city, but you’re always close to a green belt, state park, or preserve. Here are five favorite settings for a scenic walk around Long Island.

Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail

Got a lazy day to spend outdoors? Head to Trail View State Park. You’ll find 400 acres here, including about 15 miles of paved and packed trails.

You’ll traverse across wetlands and marshes, through groves of hardwood trees, over boardwalks and bridges, and near scenic ponds on this route. It’s a favorite among birders, especially during spring and fall migrations. Elevation gain ranges from 60 to 300 feet on this easy- to moderate trail.

Connetquot River State Park Preserve

With 3,400 acres to explore, Connetquot River State Park Preserve is Long Island’s largest greenspace. It’s also crisscrossed by miles of trails so that you can pick routes.

If you’ve got a few hours, head out on the 8-mile Blue Trail. This loop goes around the park with little elevation change, making it a good choice for trekkers. Take the 1-mile Yellow Trail to the fish hatchery. In the middle, you can jump onto the Green and Red Trails to extend your walk.

Seal Haul Out Trail

This whimsically named trail is at the end of Long Island, in Montauk Point State Park. At under a mile, it’s a relatively quick walk. You’ll be rewarded at the end with stunning ocean views and, if you’re lucky, a sunbathing seal or two.

For a longer walk, connect to the other trails that cross Montauk Point State Park. The Oyster Pond Trail adds another 2.5 miles to your walk and follows the shoreline along — you guessed it — the Oyster Pond.

Mashomack Preserve

The Mashomack Preserve offers almost 2,000 acres of pristine nature on stunning Shelter Island. Trails range from the short — 1.5 miles — to the long — 10 miles — and all offer amazing views of the coastline, tidal creeks, marshlands, and forests.

Expect to share the trail with birders hoping to glimpse the over 200 species of birds that call the preserve home, from towhees to scarlet tanagers and red-tailed hawks.

Sands Point Preserve

With trails through manicured gardens, ponds, and through wooded glens — Sand Point Preserve is the perfect place for a stroll. You can even explore a castle built at the turn of the 20th century. This 100,000-square-foot behemoth was modeled after Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle.

Today, the 216-acre park is lovingly preserved and open for those who wish to walk and jog through the grounds and natural spaces. Six trails offer woodland, pond, and water views.

Stress-Free Moving

If a move to Long Island is in your future, let Molloy Moving & Storage handle the details! Contact us today to learn how we can make your move stress-free.