Upstater Destinations: Hike the Basha Kill + Drink Wine

  |  April 18, 2013
bashakill daisies

Daisies @ the BashaKill, via Basha Kill Area Association (photo by Linda Lou Bartle)

What better way to spend a spring day than hiking one of the most teeming, gorgeous wetland wildlife refuges in the Catskills followed by trying some of the area’s best local wine? You can do just exactly those two things in our Town of the Week, Wurtsboro, and they’re just minutes apart.

But wait! There’s more…

The Basha Kill Wildlife Refuge features the D&H Canal Towpath, an easy, flat trail that’s long enough to get a decent workout without having to worry about killing yourself on tons of hills. It’s the best of both worlds: Not only do you get to experience the Catskills, you can take in the Shawangunk Valley, too, since it’s located in the valley between the two. Walking not your thing? It’s great for biking, as well. Or, you can canoe, and don’t forget to bring your binoculars. The trail is perfect for bird-watching. If you look closely, you might catch a glimpse of bittern, hawks, and maybe even an owl or two.

Once you’ve had your fun on the trail, you can head south on South Road about 2 miles and hit the Wurtsboro Vineyards and Winery. For zero dollars admission, you can taste all four of their wines made from chemical-free grapes that thrive on the temperate air coming off the Basha Kill wetlands. If you like what you taste, you can buy a bottle of one (or two) or the 8 different reds and whites for sale, none of them priced over $20/bottle.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch before you visit the Vineyards. A long hike followed immediately by wine could spell trouble. Fun, buzzy, light-headed trouble.

wine from above

Basha Kill Area Association Website

Trail Link info/map of the D&H Towpath

GMAP

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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