The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society will host two outings in Montauk this weekend.
On Saturday, a short but rugged hike at Amsterdam Beach State Park happens at 10 a.m. The popular hike is a scenic loop that will take participants through a blend of coastal woodlands and bluffs, leading to a picturesque beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The trail itself meanders through American holly, oak trees, scrub oak, and shad, among others, as well as vistas of the moorlands.
The park is found by driving east on Montauk Highway and turning right at the Amsterdam sign, across the road from the Deep Hollow Ranch sign. The hike will be 2.6 miles plus any rocky beach walking the group decides upon based on participants’ interest. Amy Ruhle, the hike’s leader, can be contacted with questions at [email protected].
On Sunday at 1 p.m., the society will embark on one of the most beautiful oceanside hikes in all of East Hampton Town, following the Point Woods trail to gain a spectacular cliffside view and then tracking the coastline to enjoy additional viewpoints at varying elevations. After culminating at a near-360-degree panorama, hikers will follow the Battery 113 trail through more forest before returning to the starting point.
Those planning to join the hike have been asked to meet on Camp Hero Road across from Madison Hill Drive, where muddy and/or icy patches are possible, and to take binoculars if they are interested in viewing birds and marine life. Dan Mongan can be emailed at [email protected] with questions.