Get Your Boots On: October Hikes on the South Fork

The fall is a wonderful time to enjoy the natural beauty of the South Fork.

To that end, the Southampton Trails Preservation Society, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, Quogue Wildlife Refuge and South Fork Natural History Museum have more than 20 hikes planned in October, to explore some of the most magnificent spots on the East End.

Some hikes are a little further afield than the South Fork, such as Block Island or Shelter Island. And somes "hikes" may require a kayak or horse.

Oct. 5 – Block Island Day Hike
Circumnavigate central Block Island on the Protected Greenway Trail. Nine miles through Rodmans Hollow, Turnip Farm, Smiling Through, and many other scenic areas on Block Island. Moderate to fast paced, adults only, bring water and appropriate footwear. Inclement weather cancels. $75 round-trip ferry. Contact Chip Dineen for more information, 646-221-8225.

Oct. 6, 10 a.m. - Kayak scenic Mecox Bay and Sam's Creek
Meet at the end of Horsemill Lane, Water Mill. BYO kayak and paddle. Life jackets are mandatory. Leader: Marilyn Kirkbright, 631-726-7503.

Oct. 6, 10 a.m. - Fresh Pond/Bell Estate
This slow-paced, 5-mile diverse hike (three to four hours) takes us through the woods of beech, oak, and holly trees surrounding scenic Fresh Pond, continues on a winding trail behind the Bell Estate Homes, then along Gardiner’s Bay, with occasional rest stops. The hike leaders, with the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, will describe places of historical interest along the way. The walk ends with a refreshing barefoot wade across the Fresh Pond inlet. Bring liquids. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Fresh Pond Landing Road in Amagansett.  Leaders: Valerie King and David Jones, 631-267-3024.

Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – Vineyard Field in Fall: A Vibrant, Grassland Ecosystem Part 3
Cosponsored by FLPG and the South Fork Natural History Museum. This is the third and final seasonal walk in Vineyard Field led by naturalist Jim Ash. Whether this is your first of the series or you’ve made all three, you are bound to be amazed by the wide variety of flora and fauna that make their home in the field.  To make a reservation, call the museum at 537-9735.

Oct. 6, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - Big Reed Pond
Join Concerned Citizens of Montauk’s student interns as they lead their final guided walks at Big Reed Pond’s blue and green trails (1.5 miles). Student interns are all East Hampton High School students. They received training from the National Park Service, CCOM, EHTPS, and SOFO. Join them in the culmination of their work. 11 a.m. ENGLISH language, 1 p.m. SPANISH language. Meet in the Nature Trails parking lot off East Lake Drive in Montauk about 2 miles north of the intersection with Rte 27. Follow the dirt road to enter the parking area. Contact: Jeremy Samuelson, 631-238-5720.

Oct. 7, 10 a.m. - HOT Ride, Bay to Ocean Trail
BYO horse and helmet. Must be a member of STPS/HOT to participate due to insurance requirements. Easy to join on the day of the ride! Call for reservations and meeting place. Leader: Barbara Bornstein, 631-537-6188.

Oct. 7, 1 p.m. – Paumanok Path Adventure
Meet at the kiosk parking area on Rte 114 at the intersection of Edward’s Hole Rd in East Hampton (2 miles north of Stephen Hands Path). Easy hike with views of Chatfield’s Hole, a beautiful glacial kettle hole surrounded by stately pine trees and Cedar Point Park. Leader: Bill Schildknecht, 631-725-2888.

Oct. 7, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - Point Woods Trail
A second group of East Hampton High School student interns trained by the National Park Service, CCOM, EHTPS, and SOFO leads a guided walk (4.5 miles) in Point Woods in ENGLISH (1 PM) and SPANISH (3 PM). Meet on Camp Hero Road off Rte 27 about 1 mile east of Deep Hollow Ranch. Contact: Jeremy Samuelson, 631-238-5720.

Oct. 10, 10 a.m. - South Lake/Amsterdam Beach
4-mile hike will traverse mostly newly cut trails along the Paumanok Path before entering the Montauk Moorlands, a rolling terrain studded with holly and shadbush. After crossing several small streams, we arrive at the bluffs with splendid views of Amsterdam Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Meet the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society at the parking lot at South Lake Drive off Rte 27 about 2 miles east of Montauk Village.  Leader: Carol Andrews, 631-668-5429

Oct. 13, 10 a.m. – Celebration of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt invites you to a free hike and lunch to enjoy and celebrate the beautiful fall colors in the Greenbelt. Meet at the end of Round Pond Lane in Sag Harbor. RSVP 631-745-0689.

Oct. 13, 10 a.m. - Northwest Harbor History Hike
Northwest Harbor was the main port of East Hampton from 1654 until the first wharf was built in Sag Harbor in 1761. Join the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society for a short beach hike, 1.5 miles, around the harbor where they will talk about its colorful past and enjoy views of Shelter Island, Cedar Point Park and Barcelona Neck. Meet in the parking area at the end of Northwest Landing Road off Swamp Road. Leaders: Celia Paul and Steve Rosen, 631-324-7907.

Oct. 14, 10 a.m. – Red Creek Park Excursion
Meet at the parking lot on Old Riverhead Road, Hampton Bays. Moderately-paced hike. See the former Girl Scout camp, Camp Tekawitha. Leader: Jim Crawford, 631-369-2341.

Oct. 17, 10 a.m. - Cedar Point Park
For some of the best water views on the East End nothing beats this wooded 2-mile hike to Hedges Banks overlooking Gardiner’s Bay. Some hilly areas. Meet the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society at the log cabin park office building just inside Cedar Point Park off Cedar Point Road which is off Alewive Brook Road in Northwest East Hampton. Leader: Tina Guglielmo, 631-329-2681.

Oct. 20, 10 a.m - Poetry Hike at Sammy's Beach
East Hampton Trails Preservation Society will stop twice on this beautiful 2.5-mile shore hike for poetry readings. BYOP (bring your own poem) written by you or someone else. Or just come along to enjoy the scene. Meet at the end of Sammys Beach Road (a right turn off Old House Landing Road) via Alewive Brook Road. Rain date is Sunday.  Leaders: Leeanne Domash and Laurie Adler. Call 631-329-2617 or 917-653-1463.

Oct. 20, 10 a.m. - Elliston Park Ramble
Meet at the Park entrance on Millstone Brook Road in Southampton for a moderately paced hike with views of Wolf Swamp and Big Fresh Pond. Leader: Howard Reisman, 631-283-5376.

Oct. 21 - Whiskey Hill Perambulation. 9AM-10AM. Meet on Mill Path off Lopers Path (heading east), Bridgehampton. Moderately-paced, hilly, 1 ½ mile hike with ocean views from top of moraine, kettlehole ponds and an enormous glacial erratic along the way. Leader: Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Oct. 27, 10 a.m. - Mashomack Preserve
Leave the mainland for this local island adventure with the East Hampton Trail Preservation Society. A 9-miles moderately-paced walk through woodlands, meadows and coastline of this pristine Nature Conservancy Preserve. Bring water and snacks. Meet at the Mashomack Preserve parking area on Rte 114 one mile north of the South Ferry Terminal on Shelter Island. Leader: Richard Poveromo 631-283-4591 or day of hike 917-584-7280

Oct. 28, 10 a.m. - Long Pond Greenbelt Preserve
Moderately-paced 5-mile hike with spectacular views of Long Pond, Little Long Pond, and Crooked Pond followed by lunch at the Long Pond Nature Center, compliments of STPS and EHTPS.  Meet at the Nature Center driveway on the east side of Bridgehampton Turnpike (just north of Scuttlehole Road). RSVP by Oct. 24. Leaders: Doreen Johnston and Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Oct. 28, 10 a.m. - Long Pond Greenbelt Preserve (5 miles).
Sponsored by STPS. Moderately-paced hike with spectacular views of Long Pond, Little Long Pond, and Crooked Pond followed by lunch at the Long Pond Nature Center, compliments of STPS and EHTPS. Meet at the Nature Center driveway on the east side of Bridgehampton Turnpike (just north of Scuttlehole Road). RSVP by Oct. 24.  Leaders: Doreen Johnston and Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. – Full Hunter’s Moon Hike.
Meet at the South Fork Natural History Museum parking lot. Catch this month's full moon on a lovely one-hour stroll. Refreshments afterward. Leader: Sandra Ferguson, 631-537-3752.

Oct. 29, 6 p.m. - Full Moon Night Nike
Join Quogue Wildlife Refuge for a nighttime hike through the forest up to North Pond as we look and listen for nocturnal creatures, and enjoy some night vision activities.  The walk will last approximately one and a half hours.  Reservations required at least 24 hours in advance; payment required at time of reservation. A program for adults and families with children over 11.  Free for members, $5 for non-members.

Did we miss any? Email brendan.j.oreilly@patch.com if you have any additions, or leave a comment below. You may also click "Events" on the navigation bar above and add hikes to the Patch calender.