Stony Pond via Rt28N -2 miles one way. Drive through the Town of Minerva

on Rt28N to trailhead on your right several miles out of town.  Gradual uphill to Stony Pond and leanto.

Hoffman Notch Hike – This is a wonderful hike as it does not gain much elevation and follows a brook most of the way. Great kid and dog hike. You choose the distance on this hike. 7.4 miles one way – 8 miles from Falls Brook trailhead parking by car.  The best way to see this neglected jewel is to walk this 7.4-mile trail that traverses the tract from south to north, passing through the notch that gives the Wilderness its name. If you do not want to hike the entire trail, hike in half as far as you want to hike and then turn around or spot a 2^nd car at the north end of the trail on Blue Ridge Road just south of the high peaks on Blue Ridge Road. A very scenic trail that is wonderful no matter how far you go.  From Falls Brook Yurts. Take a left onto O’Niel Road passing the graveyard and old school house on your left.  Left onto Irishtown Road which turns into Hoffman Road. Left onto Loch Muller Road to trailhead parking area.Two trails are there—one leading west to Bailey Pond on the left, the other leading north through the notch. The notch trail, marked by yellow disks, descends at once through a mixed woods to cross the West Branch of Trout Brook on a mossy bridge. The land has been part of the state Forest Preserve for nearly a century.  About 1.2 miles from the start, you reach the North Branch of Trout Brook. An arrow on a sign points right, in the direction of a trail that crosses the brook and leads to Big Pond. Don’t turn, but continue straight along the west bank. The stream will be your musical companion for much of the way to Big Marsh. Big Marsh is a great place to stop for lunch.  The trail hugs the western shore and offers superb vistas of the surrounding peaks with some waterfalls during run off to the left. The highest, Hoffman Mountain, is 3,693 feet. Just beyond Big Marsh lies Hoffman Notch at 1,780 feet. From the southern trailhead, gain only 60 feet in elevation. Hereafter, go down more than up, for the northern terminus is at an elevation of 1,245 feet. Pass through the notch without realizing it, but you will know it when you reached Hoffman Notch Brook, which flows north. The trail follows the brook and crosses it several times. There are no bridges, so the crossings could be tricky in winter. The stream spills over some pretty waterfalls. After the notch, the forest is more open, with smaller trees. You end on private land. The trail crosses Sand Pond Brook on a sturdy bridge and then, as a final treat, passes through a stand of cedars before reaching Blue Ridge Road.

Blue Ledges - 2.4 miles one way

Easy, flat. From Falls Brook, take John Brannon Road from the trailhead parking to the stop sign. Continue straight on Longs Hill Road. Take your next right at Morse Memorial Highway through the Town of Minerva to Northwoods Club Road. Turn left onto Northwoods Club Road and drive another 6 miles on a dirt road to Huntley Pond parking area. (in winter, you may need to park earlier and snowshoe to the trailhead depending on the weather/snow cover) and Blue Ledges trailhead. Be careful of river currents at trails end. Scenic view of Blue Ledges cliffs.  Keep your eyes open. Eagle sitings at this location. Water is released into the Indian River from Lake Abanakee to facilitate whitewater rafting and the river might rise fairly suddenly so swim with caution.  It is at the end of this hike at the Hudson that you see the Blue Ledges rapids and the beginnings of the Narrows Rapids below. You may also see lots of rafts go by anytime April through October. The trail to Blue Ledges is one of the few trails that end at the Hudson River gorge. If you like this type of wild river, you may consider taking a raft trip sometime as well after checking it out during this hike. Snow shoes recommended in winter for sure.