Active Pursuits

The Lower Hudson Valley abounds in outdoor sports, from hiking and biking to cross-country skiing to kayaking and sailing.

Boating & Sailing

Hudson Maritime Services of Cold Spring (tel. 845/265-7621; www.hudsonriver.cjb.net) offers sailing on Newburgh Bay and scenic cruises along the river. Hudson Highlands Cruises (tel. 845/534-7245; www.commanderboat.com) embarks on 3-hour narrated cruises through the Hudson Highlands (May-Oct single cruises from West Point: $17 adults; $15 seniors and children; full day on board from Haverstraw $32 adults; $28 seniors and children. Peekstill cruise is one Sat and one Sun per month: $30 adults; $25 seniors, $20 children) They do not accept credit cards. Hudson Valley Riverboat Tours (tel. 845/788-4000) offers midweek cruises on The River Queen, a historic paddle-wheeler, in July and August.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Bike rentals are available from Bikeway, 692 Rte. 6, in Mahopac (tel. 845/621-2800).

Fishing

The Hudson, which flows from the Adirondacks to the open sea, is excellent for striped bass from mid-March to the end of May. There is also good trout fishing. For more information, visit www.hudsonriver.com/stripers.htm.

Golf

Garrison Golf Club, 2015 Rte. 9, Garrison (tel. 845/42436040; www.thegarrison.com), is a stunning course in the Hudson Highlands overlooking the river; it's so pretty you may not care how you hit 'em. Rates are $40 to $85. There are more than 150 other golf courses in the Hudson River Valley; for specific information and course previews, see www.hudsonrivergolf.com and www.golfhudsonvalley.com.

Hiking

There are too many great hiking spots in state parks in the Lower Hudson Valley to mention. Near Cold Spring, Hudson Highlands State Park has a number of great day trails. Recommended hikes in the vicinity of Cold Spring include Breakneck Ridge and Bull Hill; in the southern highlands south of Garrison, popular trails include those to Anthony's Nose and White Rock. Pick up a map at Hudson Valley Outfitters, 63 Main St., Cold Spring (tel. 845/265-0221; www.hudsonvalleyoutfitters.com), which also offers guided hikes in the area, or contact the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Bear Mountain and Harriman state parks make up the majority of the Palisades Interstate Park and afford dozens of splendid hiking opportunities, including a section of the Appalachian Trail. For trail maps and more information, visit the Palisades Interstate Park Commission at Bear Mountain (tel. 845/786-2701).

Kayaking & Rafting

Hudson Valley Outfitters is tops in the region for kayak rentals and guided tours. Its major competitor is Pack & Paddle Adventures, 45 Beekman St., Beacon (tel. 845/831-1300; www.hvpackandpaddle.com), which also handles kayak and canoe rentals and instruction.

Swimming

Bear Mountain State Park allows for swimming in both Hessian Lake and the Bear Mountain pool, open in summer. There is also a public pool at Tallman State Park (Palisades Interstate Park Commission; tel. 845/359-0544), just south of Nyack on Route 9W.

Winter Sports

For snowshoe and cross-country ski packages, contact Cold Spring's Hudson Valley Outfitters. Bear Mountain State Park has cross-country ski trails, ski jumps, and an outdoor skating rink open late October through mid-March. Croton Point Park, Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson, is also popular with Nordic skiers.