Butler Sanctuary

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

This hike is a meandering route around the various trails at the Butler Preserve. The hike has a variety of terrain, and both climbs and descend throughout the park. Taking the full loop is a great way to get out for longer outings, and to see the whole park, but you can make you own loop option easily.

The route begins at the Lake Bridge Road trailhead and begins on the Orange Trail. This will take you to the eastern border of the park, and you'll continue here for about a mile until this trail meets with the Red Trail.

From the junction with the Red Trail, continue to head around the perimeter of the park. The Red Trail defines the northern border of the park, before turning back south and joining the Yellow Trail to head south again.

There will be an offshoot for the Orange Trail - South branch, which will add on a little more distance for the first return to the trailhead. This branch meets back up with the Yellow Trail after a short distance.

After returning to the trailhead area, take on of two trails the cut through the middle of the park. Both the Red Trail and the Blue Trail terminate in the northeast corner of the park, so take one on your way to the north end, and cruise down the other on your way back to the car.

The Butler Preserve was the first preserve donated to the Nature Conservancy. It has 300+ acres and is bounded by interstate 684 on the east and Merestead Park to the west. The southern border is the Mt. Kisco watershed land, which surrounds Byram Lake. To the north are large estates.

The preserve features the well known "Hawk Watch" complete with bleachers and a raptor silhouette chart. The trails are hilly and challenging. Part of the trail goes right over the border between the Hudson River watershed and the Long Island Sound watershed's northernmost headwaters. This is sort of the Westchester County equivalent of the Continental Divide.