HISTORIC TRAILS

The following trails, both city and county, are operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Most offer a patch to those who complete the trail. Many are open to non-Scout groups and individuals.

OLD NEW YORK HISTORICAL TRAIL, Historical Trail Committee, Man-A-Hattin Lodge #82, Greater New York Councils, BSA, Attn: Pat Bain, 350 Fifth Ave, #530 New York NY 10118

REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORICAL TRAIL, Historical Trail Committee, Man-A-Hattin Lodge #82, Greater New York Councils, BSA, Attn: Pat Bain, 350 Fifth Ave, #530 New York NY 10118

HERITAGE TRAILS NEW YORK, Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall @ Broad Street, (212) 269-1500

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH HISTORICAL TRAIL, Monmouth Council, PO Box 188, Oakhurst, NJ 07755, (201) 531-3636

JOCKEY HOLLOW TRAIL, Morris Sussex Council, RD #2, Union Schoolhouse Rd. Mendham, NJ 07945, (201) 543-9550

JOSHUA HUDDY HISTORICAL TRAIL, Ocean County Council, PO Box 1247, Toms River, NJ 08753, (201) 349-1037

MILLSTONE VALLEY HISTORIC TRAIL, Thomas Edison Council, PO Drawer L, Edison, NJ 08817, (201) 494-0305

OYSTER SHELL ROAD HISTORIC TRAIL, Burlington County Council, PO Box 246, Rancocas, NJ 08073, (609) 261-5850

PALISADES HISTORICAL TRAIL, Bergen Council, PO Box 4237, River Edge, NJ 07661, (201) 342-8600

1777 AND 1779 TRAILS, Rockland County Council, RR 2, Box 29, Frank Rd, Stony Pt. NY 10980, (914) 786-2771

HERITAGE TRAIL, Otetiana Council, 474 East Ave., Rochester NY 14607, (716) 244-4210

KINZUA BRIDGE AND PORTAGE TRAILS, Allegheny Highlands Council, 50 Hough Hill Rd., Drawer A, Falconer, NY 14733, (716) 665-2697

NIAGARA FRONTIER TRAIL, Greater Niagara Frontier Council,  334 Delaware Ave., Buffalo NY 14202, (716) 853-8815

NYC'S TOP 10 NATURE WALKS

Everyday is the best time of year to explore New York City's natural wild side. And what better way to do it than by taking a walk?

The city contains 26,000 acres of parkland, with marked trails and ranger-guided walks. Entrance is free, and getting there is only a subway or bus ride away. Here are 10 of the best city nature hikes, easily accessed by public transportation.

1. THE GREENBELT in Staten Island has 35 miles of circular trails and nine natural areas, including two swamps and a wildlife refuge. High Rock Park's trails lead to breathtaking Moses Mountain and Bloodroot Valley. Haw sightings are so frequent at Heyerdahl Hill that its name may be changed to honor the bird. Restrooms, parking, maps. DIRECTIONS: From the SI Ferry, take the S46 bus to Broadway and Castleton, then the S54 bus to Rockland and Nevada, or the Staten Island Rapid Transit train from the ferry to New Dorp Station.

2. Staten Island's BLUE HERON PARK features a circular trail leading first to Spring Pond (a dead tree swamp), then to Blue Heron Pond, which is dense with wildlife. Street parking only. DIRECTIONS: From the SI ferry, take the S74 bus to Arthur Kill Road and Richmond, then the S55 to Annadale Rd. and Poillon Ave.

3. In the northwest Bronx' VAN CORTLANDT PARK, walk the John Kieran Nature Trail at the edge of Van Cortlandt Lake to see cattails covering the water. Follow Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, which cuts through the center of the park. Be sure to crunch the leaves of the black walnut trees to release their spicy scent. Restrooms, parking, seasonal food services. DIRECTIONS: Take the 1 train to 242nd Street; park entrance is at 246th Street.

4. PELHAM BAY PARK in the northeast Bronx is known for Orchard Beach, but it also encompasses 2,764 acres of rocky shoreline, mud flats and forests. Fall foliage walks on the Kazimiroff Nature Trail cross Hunter Island to the Long Island Sound. Or trek to Grey Mare's Rock, a boulder in a remote salt marsh where American Indians lived. Restrooms, parking, maps, seasonal food vendors. DIRECTIONS: Take the 6 train to the last stop, then the BX12 bus to the park.

5. FOREST PARK in Queens has four marked trails, including an orienteering trail you navigate by using a compass. You can also travel 7 miles of equestrian paths on horseback. The park has two riding stables - Dixie Dew (718) 261-7679 and Lynn's Riding Stables - where horses can be rented. Restrooms, parking, food nearby. DIRECTIONS: Take the J train to 111 Street, walk north to Myrtle Ave. and left on Parklane South.

6. At INWOOD HILL PARK in Manhattan, walk to Overlook Meadow for a majestic view of the NJ Palisades. Inwood Hill is Park Commissioner Henry Stern's favorite place to hike - in part, he says, because of caves that once provided temporary shelter for American Indians. Restrooms, street parking, maps. DIRECTIONS: Take the A train to 207th Street, then walk two blocks north to the park, or take the 1 train to 207th or 215th Street.

7. In Manhattan's CENTRAL PARK, birdwatchers flock to the North Woods and the Ramble's intricate pathways for warbler migration. And try "The Works," a four hour guided tour of the park. Restrooms, food service, maps. DIRECTIONS: Take the 1,9,A,B,C,D to the main entrance at Columbus Circle or the 4,5,6,N,R to 59th Street, walk west.

8. At Brooklyn's MARINE PARK, stroll the lush trail encircling the saltwater wetland, home to myriad shorebirds and a breeding ground for marine fish. At Gerrtisen Creek, watch for marsh hawks and peregrine falcons. Restrooms, maps, food nearby. DIRECTIONS: Take the D train to Ave. U then the B3 bus to Ave. U and Burnett

9. At Queens' ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENT CENTER, near Northern Blvd., visitors can observe from a viewing platform blue herons, snowy egrets and muskrats. Follow a map from the Grand Central Nature Center to one of five kettle ponds that were formed by melting chunks of glacier tide. Restrooms, parking, maps. DIRECTIONS: Take the E or F train to Kew Gardens, then the Q44A bus to Winchester Blvd.

10. The JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE in Brooklyn is a bird watcher's paradise. Over 325 species have been spotted at the Federal Refuge. Travel the circular West Pond Trail between a freshwater pond and a marsh of terrapin turtles. Continue into a black pine forest. Restrooms, parking, maps. DIRECTIONS: Take the A train to Rockaway Blvd. then the Q21 bus to the refuge.