Living in a large city doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to enjoying nature. Many metropolitan areas have their own version of secluded trails for you to take a hike in the big city. Whether you’re a resident or a tourist, a native or a transplant, add these spots to your “must see” list.
Stone Mountain – Atlanta, Georgia
With a population of nearly half a million, Atlanta is no small Southern town. Just thirty minutes outside of this ever-growing city is Stone Mountain Park, a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. Several walking trails are available for all fitness levels, including a 1.3 mile trek to the summit of the 825 foot high Stone Mountain. This steep trail offers stunning panoramic views for those who make it to the top. The five mile long Cherokee Trail loops around the mountain base through an oak-hickory forest with views of lakes and streams. For those looking for a lighter stroll, the ¾ mile Nature Garden Trail is a scenic, shady route through native plants and mature trees.
Griffith Park – Los Angeles, California
It’s hard to believe that less than 10 miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles one could find himself nested in quiet hills and wooded paths. But Griffith Park is not a movie set, it’s an authentic slice of wilderness anyone can visit. Close to all the hot spots – Burbank, Hollywood, and LA – Griffith Park has a whopping 53 mile network of trails. Wild quail, foxes, coyotes, and deer call the park home so bring your camera to capture these celebrities of the woodlands. Hike the Observatory trail to the summit of Mount Hollywood, the highest peak, for awesome views of the LA Basin. You can even see the Hollywood sign!
New York City, New York
And of course, who could pass up the iconic Central Park and High Line Park in New York City? Central Park is a sprawling, 834 acres of green in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world. Not a lot of wildlife to see (outside of the Central Park Zoo) but the park still offers a lush bit of nature to the city dweller or visitor. Filled with famous landmarks like the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and the Literary Walk, Central Park is peaceful and relaxing. Early spring when the flowers are abundant and the locals are emerging from their winter cocoons is a fabulous time to enjoy this famous landmark.
Also in Manhattan, not far from the Lincoln Tunnel, is a charming reclaimed piece of New York history. The High Line was once an elevated railway that stood empty and silent for twenty years after the last train rumbled down its tracks. After years of planning and designing, the trail officially opened in 2009 offering New Yorkers a natural, almost primeval landscape to enjoy. Many of the plants are ones that grew on the unused tracks over the years, giving a feeling of nature reclaiming the space rather than one designed by man. A walk along the High Line offers an up close, up above view of this world famous city.
