Nature hiking and biking fun for the whole family with water views await on Buttermilk Trail!

Buttermilk Trail is of the best trails that I’ve experienced with kids and it's our first official family hike! If you’re up for an adventure and a scenic family activity, this is the one for you! I like the fact it’s along the river so you can easily find your way back when you need to turn around. Some more confusing hikes could potentially cause a little anxiety with two kids and only one adult (that's new to the route!)! I really like the flexibility of the trail because you can take a super direct, straight route, or wind through smaller paths. Since it’s along the river, you can really start and finish anywhere. It’s so great to have options for young kids that may reach their limit at any moment! There are plenty of nice places to break and take in views of the river or just chill and have a picnic on the rocks. 

Even just on foot, this was somewhat challenging with 2 pre-school ages kids. We started out with their new bikes without training wheels. But after the first hill, we realized this was an “on foot” hike for us until they gained more biking skills. There are lots of ups and downs, and twists and turns. We went one morning in the middle of the week so there wasn’t much traffic, maybe 2 bikers. We tried to listen to their direction but once they saw us they just slowed down and yielded to the kids. On the weekends it gets pretty busy around the bridges but in the middle of the trail, it’s pretty empty.  There’s a really cool graffiti and steep hill area under the bridge. We stopped to take pictures and the boys got really dirty from the rocks! 

This would be a great activity for a family with ages spread out from pre-school to older kids. Rated moderate, you can be assured everyone will be stimulated. The older kids can bike ahead while the younger crowd walks and finds rocks along the river. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. If you don’t have too many full hands, bring your pups too as dogs are welcome on this trail!

It’s very shaded so we didn’t wear sunscreen but you may want a sunscreen or hat. I’d definitely pack grippy trail and/or water shoes along with a change of clothes for the adventures. Water bottles and snacks are a must!

We parked at the parking lot just off Pump House Drive in the Pump House Parking Lot and started there. Make an immediate left once in the road whether coming from Arthur Ashe Boulevard or the toll bridge. We probably only hiked a mile away before we came back to find the Carillon Tot Lot, a nearby playground! There are porta-potties in the parking lot!

This hike is not good for strollers. Kids that will not last on a hike should be carried or bring your carrier just in case!