Swan Lake Loop from Bedford Road – Rockefeller State Park Preserve

November 2‎, ‎2025 – Pocantico Hills, NY

Issue: Straightforward – Average

Size: roughly 4.7 miles

Max elevation: 499 ft. – complete elevation acquire: roughly 300 ft.

Route sort: Circuit

Maps: Rockefeller State Park Protect Path Map 2023 – Rockefeller State Park Protect Avenza Map

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

Overview:

Rockefeller State Park Protect, established in 1983, gives guests over 55 miles of scenic carriage roads that wind by means of woodlands, fields, and wetlands as soon as a part of the Rockefeller household property. These historic roads, initially designed for horse-drawn carriages, now present a peaceable setting for strolling, jogging, and horseback using. The park’s superbly maintained community of trails showcases the pure magnificence and historic allure of the Pocantico Hills panorama.

Swan Lake, situated on the coronary heart of Rockefeller State Park Protect, is a man-made lake constructed within the early twentieth century as a part of the Rockefeller household property’s panorama design. The lake covers roughly 22 acres and was created by damming a tributary of the Pocantico River to boost the property’s scenic character and supply a tranquil focus for the encompassing carriage roads.

Trails Overview:

Rockefeller State Park Protect options over 45 miles of meticulously crafted carriage roads, initially designed by John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Jr. for horse-drawn journey by means of their Pocantico Hills property. Constructed from layers of crushed stone and gravel, these gracefully winding roads now present walkers, runners, and equestrians with peaceable routes by means of forests, fields, and rolling countryside. Every street is usually 10 to 12 ft extensive, permitting snug passage for 2 carriages facet by facet.

The carriage roads at Rockefeller State Park Protect are usually not blazed with conventional painted path markers like these discovered in lots of mountain climbing areas. As a substitute, they’re recognized by blue wands equivalent to places on the official park map.

As a result of many roads look related and there are quite a few junctions, guests are inspired to hold the protect’s path map—obtainable on the customer middle, on-line, or by means of the Avenza GPS map app—to assist with navigation.

Hike Overview:

In 2019, the property of David Rockefeller made a landmark 346-acre donation to Rockefeller State Park Protect, marking one of many largest items of personal land to New York State Parks in latest many years. This land, generally known as the Hudson Pines Farm property, was a part of the Rockefeller household’s historic Pocantico Hills holdings and lies adjoining to the protect close to Bedford Highway and Swan Lake.

This hike begins and ends on carriage roads that have been as soon as off-limits to most people. The Pocantico Gate Path, which begins alongside Bedford Highway close to the doorway to Kykuit, the historic Rockefeller property, serves as a scenic gateway into Rockefeller State Park Protect. This carriage street connects to others that wind previous fenced pastures and shaded woodlands earlier than becoming a member of a broader community of trails main towards Swan Lake and the guts of the protect.

This straightforward, clockwise loop circles Swan Lake and features a brief detour to the Stone Barns Heart for Meals & Agriculture.

As proven within the graph under, this hike options solely a modest change in elevation.

The Hike:

There may be roadside pull-off parking for about 12 to 14 automobiles on the Pocantico Gate Trailhead alongside Bedford Highway (Route 448).

Proceed previous the gate and proceed straight by means of the four-way intersection, then bear proper on the subsequent fork to observe the Barnyard Hill Path.

 

 

 

 

Heading north on the Barnyard Hill Path, the trail gently rises by means of open meadows bordered by post-and-wire fencing and clusters of hardwood timber. From the crest, you’re rewarded with sweeping views of the encompassing farm fields, and expectantly, it’s possible you’ll spot dairy cows grazing peacefully within the fenced pastures of this working farm.

 

 

 

 

On the T-intersection, flip proper to go away the Barnyard Hill Path and proceed onto the Farm Meadow Path. This gently descending carriage street is bordered by quiet woodlands on each side, providing a peaceable and scenic stretch by means of the protect.

Observe the Farm Meadow Path because it heads northeast, persevering with straight by means of two four-way intersections. The route meanders between shady stretches of woodland and wide-open fields, providing a pleasing mixture of forest cowl and pastoral surroundings.

 

 

 

After about 0.6 mile, the Farm Meadow Path ends at a junction with Brothers’ Path, which enters from the best. Proceed straight to observe Brothers’ Path, a scenic carriage street that loops round Swan Lake. Earlier than lengthy, the timber speak in confidence to reveal tranquil views of the shimmering water framed by gently sloping hills.

 

 

 

On the northern finish of Swan Lake, bear proper to remain near the shoreline. The trail to the left leads towards the park’s essential entrance and Customer Heart off Route 117.

 

The carriage street is punctuated on the lakeside by “Rockefeller Tooth,” a row of jagged stones that add a dramatic, pure accent to the tranquil surroundings alongside the shore. Their tooth-like look provides them their title.

From the northern finish of Swan Lake, the view stretches south throughout calm, reflective waters framed by rolling hills and stately hardwoods. The gently curving shoreline and surrounding carriage roads create a traditional Hudson Valley scene—peaceable, picturesque, and superbly balanced between nature and design.

Brothers’ Path bears proper and follows the shoreline alongside the east facet of the lake.

All year long, Swan Lake gives ever-changing views that seize the essence of every season. In autumn, the encompassing hills blaze with shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

A stroll alongside Brothers’ Path on the east facet of Swan Lake gives a peaceable, shaded route beneath tall oaks and maples, with frequent glimpses of the shimmering water by means of the timber. The mild curves of the carriage street hint the shoreline, offering a serene and picturesque lakeside expertise.

My understanding is that the New York and Putnam Railroad, nicknamed the Outdated Put, initially ran alongside this route. Round 1930–31, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had the tracks faraway from his Pocantico Hills property and relocated them by means of the Noticed Mill River Valley, alongside the japanese fringe of the Rockefeller property. The venture, which price an estimated $1 million, considerably diminished the railroad’s intrusion by means of the household’s personal lands.

As Brothers’ Path curves proper alongside the southern fringe of Swan Lake, proceed straight to affix the Greenrock Highway Path. This extensive carriage street stretches beneath a cover of towering oaks and maples, providing tranquil woodland surroundings and occasional views of the encompassing hills.

Alongside this stretch of the previous railroad mattress, the path passes by means of rock cuts, the place the stone was carved away to make approach for the unique rail line, now serving as a putting reminder of the realm’s transportation historical past.

 

Alongside the way in which, it’s possible you’ll spot cows grazing peacefully within the fenced pastures, including to the pastoral allure of the encompassing farmland.

When you’d wish to take a detour to Stone Barns, flip left onto the Stone Barns Path and observe it uphill, bearing left on the forks and looking forward to indicators alongside the way in which. The detour provides roughly half a mile, relying on how a lot exploring you do at Stone Barns. I hadn’t been there in a number of years, so I made a decision to pay a go to. When you select to skip this facet journey, merely proceed straight on Greenrock Highway to return to Bedford Highway.

 

 

 

 

We wished to see the cattle, so we walked previous the greenhouses and Customer Heart, then turned left after passing the principle Stone Barns advanced. From there, we continued towards the red-roofed barns, the place the cattle are housed.

 

On at the present time, only some goats and a few chickens have been out and about. A farm employee talked about that there have been no pigs in the intervening time, although I noticed not less than three of them foraging within the woods as we have been leaving the advanced—maybe a number of curious escapees.

 

 

From this excessive level, views of the brand new Tappan Zee Bridge and the distant Palisades emerge above the treetops, providing a scenic glimpse past the rolling hills of Stone Barns.

 

If you’ve completed exploring the Stone Barns advanced, retrace your steps to Greenrock Highway and switch left. Proceed alongside Greenrock Highway for about one-third of a mile.

 

On the three-way intersection, take the center path, which is the Pocantico Gate Path. Observe it a brief distance again to the parking space on Bedford Highway, the place your hike started.

 

Evaluate:

With its well-maintained carriage roads, minimal elevation change, and distinctive surroundings, this loop is right for each informal walkers and seasoned hikers in search of a peaceable escape simply minutes from Tarrytown.

Execs:

Historic carriage roads, stunning Swan Lake views, comparatively straightforward navigation, picturesque landscapes, minimal elevation acquire.

Cons:

No restrooms, benches, or water sources close to the Bedford Highway entry level. The world round Swan Lake is standard with walkers, joggers, and photographers, and may turn into fairly busy on nice days.

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