Bender Melon Farm Loop

From a small parking area on Hilton Road just off Route 85A in Slingerlands, this easy route begins on a wide, well-marked path near the historic Hilton Barn. The route follows David’s Trail and links together portions of Winter Trail and other connector paths to form a pleasant circuit through the Bender Melon Farm Preserve. Just past the barn, keep right at the early Y-intersection to enter a stretch of open fields and meadow. From here, the route passes through a mix of young forest, brushy wetland edges, and former farmland now managed by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. Short side paths offer additional wandering, but staying on the main trail leads steadily back through the woods toward the starting point. The preserve is mostly flat with gentle grades, making it suitable for all ages and a good choice for low-elevation day hikes in eastern New York. Expect muddy sections during spring or after rain, especially near field edges. The real draw here is the mix of habitats, wide-open views toward the Helderberg Escarpment, and the chance to explore conserved agricultural land transformed into public greenspace.