Merestead's Take-A-Hike Day 2025

Merestead Conservancy’s Take-A-Hike Day 2025 involves choosing from among four different hikes of varying lengths and difficulty, each starting at different times of the morning on October 19, and each leading to the top of Merestead County Park where we will have a tent, food truck, a bit of music.

Yes, each person needs a ticket, and each person needs to sign up to receive a ticket. Read about all the hikes below, then choose your hike and get a ticket for that hike. That way we know how many hikers to expect at each trailhead and at the top of Merestead.

There are four guided hikes starting at different times during the morning of October 5th. Hike #1 (the longest and most difficult hike) leaves from the trail head at 9:40 am. Hike #2 leaves at 10:35 am, Hike #3 leaves at 10:25 am, and Hike#4 (the shortest) leaves at 11:10 am.

This hike is the longest and most difficult of all the hikes we are leading to Merestead. It is about five miles from the trailhead to the top of Merestead, via a large portion of the eastern section of the Meyer Preserve.

There you will experience a cliff-top overlook of Byram Lake, with 684 in the near distance. There are many steep uphills and downhills along the way, and significant portions involve uneven terrain, tree roots, loose rock, and narrow trails traversing steep terrain.

Next is a carriage road and, after another half mile up a rutted hill, the last mile to Merestead is on a well-maintained quiet dirt or paved road through farmland and estate homes. From there, we enter Merestead at the 1860s farmhouse and walk up an inclined carriage road to the top of Merestead.

Given the difficulty of the terrain you will encounter, hiking boots are necessary, and hiking sticks can be helpful if you like using them.

Hike #1 starts at the parking area of the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve on Sarles Street (at the intersection of Sarles Street and Bretton Ridge Road) in the town of Mount Kisco. Hikers should gather at 9:25 a.m. for a prompt 9:40 a.m. departure. Make sure you get one ticket for each hiker.

HIKE #2 is the Butler Sanctuary to Merestead hike. This is a moderate-to-difficult hike starting at the parking lot of the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary in Bedford. The trail to the top of Merestead is approximately two miles with many uphill and down hill sections.

Hike #2 includes a detour to visit the famed Butler Sanctuary hawkwatch, part of a network of hawk-watching sites across the United States. That is an excellent spot to observe a variety of hawks, falcons and other raptors (especially during this time of the fall migration).

Although the trail is usually three or so feet wide, it can be narrow in places. Also, there are many steep uphill and downhill sections with obstructions such as a stream crossing, rocks, roots and fallen trees. Hiking boots are highly recommended, as well as hiking sticks if you wish.

On the return from Merestead (perhaps after visiting the grounds of the Merestead estate house), we will take a different two-mile route through the Butler Sanctuary via the Balancing Rock Trail (involving additional uphill slopes).

There you will see several “glacial erratics,” or huge boulders seemingly stranded in mismatched surroundings or impossibly balanced in place.

For Hike #2, meet at the parking lot for the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary in Bedford, NY. Hikers should gather at 10:20 a.m. for a prompt 10:35 a.m. departure. Make sure you have a ticket for each hiker.

HIKE #3 is from the Leonard Park Tea House in Mt. Kisco to Merestead via the Marsh Sanctuary. This hike is 1.7 miles long to the top of Merestead (3.4 miles in total). This is mostly a flat trail. Towards the end there is an uphill section as you get closer to the Merestead estate house.

Throughout the hike, there are significant portions that involve uneven terrain, tree roots, and stepping across streams and muddy patches. Hiking boots are highly recommended, as well as hiking sticks if you wish. The return hike, mostly along the same route, is 1.7 miles for a total of 3.4 miles.

The trail passes through a unique geological and natural environment that encompasses wetlands, flowing streams, a very high dense tree canopy, dramatic rock outcroppings, along with steep cliffs dropping down to a stream that is evidence of the melting of the Wisconsin glacier 20,000 years ago.

Hike #3 meets at the Tea House in Leonard Park, Mount Kisco. The Tea House looks like a pagoda-style building and is near the pond in Leonard Park. Hikers should gather at 10:10 a.m. for a prompt 10:25 a.m. departure. Make sure you have a ticket for each hiker.

HIKE #4 is the Meyer Preserve Short Hike to Merestead. At 1.5 miles long, this hike is the shortest and easiest of the hikes we are leading to the top of Merestead. Nevertheless, the first half mile involves long stretches of uphill terrain, most of which is rutted, washed out and uneven.

On Hike #4, the last mile to Merestead is on a well-maintained quiet dirt or paved road through farmland and estate homes. From there, we enter Merestead at the 1860s farmhouse and walk up the inclined carriage road to the top of Merestead.

Yes, however, we will return via the grounds of the Merestead Estate House to enjoy a different part of Merestead Park on our way back to the Meyer Preserve parking lot.

Hike #4 starts at the parking area of the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve on Sarles Streeet (at the intersection of Sarles Street and Bretton Ridge Road in Mount Kisco). Hikers should gather at 10:55 a.m. for a departure at 11:10 a.m. Make sure you get a ticket for each hiker.

Yes, absent extreme winds, we will hike in the rain. Wear suitable layers for the conditions. We will have a large tent at the top of Merestead which will provide cover from the rain when we gather together.

Absolutely! Since some portion of every hike involves some significant uphill trail hiking, if this sounds like it may be too daunting, consider parking at the Merestead carriage house parking lot and take your time walking up the carriage road beside the 1860's farmhouse to the top of Merestead.

Please do not bring your dog to this event. Although we love dogs, and we look forward to hosting future events where well-mannered and leashed dogs are welcome, Please leave your dog home for this Take-a-Hike event.