Had a lovely two days walking the 20-ish mile Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail (Sept 1 and 2, 2026). Could have done it in one swoop, but I enjoy trails more when I limit the mileage to 15 miles or less a day. Besides, this was my last item on my NY LifeQuest list, and I wanted to make it last.
This is a well-maintained and well-blazed trail that stretches north-south across Long Island. It begins at the north end of Cold Spring Harbor State Park, goes through Trail View and Bethpage State Parks, and ends at the southwest corner of Massapequa State Park. Terrain in the northern miles is quite hilly and slightly reminiscent of AT hiking. The trail flattens out by the time one gets through Trail View SP and stays elevation-gain-free throughout the middle and southern miles. You’re mostly in the woods, but there are minor sections of bike path walking.
This is truly an enjoyable long stretch of greenery in the midst of one of the most populated places in the country.
