The Ruins In New York You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 2 5 Mile Trail

In a state as big as ours, it’s tough to see everything. You could hike a different trail each day and still not hit all there is to see! Whether you’re looking for plants, animals, or just like getting out and exploring new terrain, there are trails in New York for you. One trail that we love is at the beautiful Muttontown Preserve in East Norwich. Not only does this place have incredible natural beauty, it also holds some fascinating ruins. This is a great opportunity to see nature reclaiming a historical spot, and the 2.5-mile hike isn’t too difficult even for beginners.

Muttontown Preserve is a 550-acre haven in Nassau County that features wooded areas and ponds. The preserve also encompasses several historic estates.

Gabby Zimmerman/Alltrails

One once-magnificent estate on the grounds is now little more than ruins. The Knollwood Estate was a 60-room mansion built in the 1910s for Wall Street tycoon Charles Hudson.

Jane Viau/Alltrails

In 1951, King Zog of Albania purchased the mansion for $102,800. He was exiled from Albania when Mussolini’s Italy took the country over. Zog intended to move into the mansion at Knollwood Estate, but he never did.

Valerie F./Alltrails

Over the years, looters destroyed much of the house. The county tore down most of it in 1959 for safety reasons. Some pillars and a staircase remain and can be seen on the trails at Muttontown.

Jennifer Slack/Alltrails

This is a great trail for anyone with an interest in the history of abandoned places in New York. Nature is reclaiming the area and much of it is now hidden with leaves and brush.

Henry Batista/Alltrails

It’s amazing to walk through this area and imagine that it was once a massive estate fit for a king.

Nicole Valleau/Alltrails

For more information about the trail at Muttontown Preserve, check out Alltrails.