School Mountain, Fahnestock, and Round Hill Loop

Offline map is recommended. Users have reported that the trails are not marked well. This is a fairly long circuit through the northwest part of Fahnestock Park, with highly variable terrain. There are a couple of viewpoints along the way. The only steep sections are the ascent and descent of Round Hill, but that's where the best viewpoints are. The early part of the hike follows School Mountain Road, where you can see lots of evidence of the former farming community along this road. Park at the Hubbard Lodge, then take a short connector trail to the combined School Mountain (white) and Fahnestock (blue) Trails, onto which you turn left. You pass over a number of bridges. At 0.4 miles, stay straight to continue on School Mountain Road (Fahnestock Trail turns to the right). The grade on this trail, initially fairly flat, gradually increases. Several trails start from this old road, but just continue on it, passing innumerable stone fences as well as ruins of houses and barns. At 3.6 miles, turn right onto the Wiccopee Trail (blue), with many ups and downs. At 4.5 miles, this trail turns left [Clove Creek Trail (white) starts to the right at this point]. Be sure to take the right fork at 4.7 miles [Trout Brook Trail (yellow) goes left]. The Wiccopee Trail ends at 5.4 miles, but the trail continues, now called the Charcoal Burners Trail (red). In about 150 yards, turn left off the trail for a view to the northeast. Continue on a generally mild descent. At 6.5 miles, turn right onto the Fahnestock Trail (blue). At 7.4 miles, this trail turns left onto an old road [Clove Creek Trail (white) starts to the right], soon passing over a concrete bridge before starting to parallel an unnamed pond on the left. At 8.2 miles, turns left onto the Perkins Trail (yellow). At 8.5 miles, stay straight on the old road at the point where the Perkins Trail turns left. You're now on the Perkins Access Trail (red), which continues a mild descent. You'll soon see Glynwood Road and Clove Creek downhill to your left. At 9.7 miles, turn right onto the Round Hill Bypass Trail (green), which starts a moderately steep ascent. At 9.9 miles, turn left onto the Fahnestock Trail (blue) to continue the ascent of Round Hill. [Note that, if you don't think you can deal with any more climbing at this point, you can stay on the Round Hill Bypass Trail, which ends at School Mountain Road, where you can turn left.] Near the top of Round Hill, there are several spots with views. Descend the west side of the hill, and, after a level stretch, turn left at 11.8 miles onto School Mountain Road again. At 12.1 miles, turn right on the connector link which leads back to your starting point.