Staten Island Greenbelt, NY - Greenbelt Nature Center to Deere Park with Saint Francis Woodlands

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Staten Island Greenbelt - New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Saint Francis Woodlands - New York DEC

Pouch Camp Conservation Easement - New York DEC

This is the sign I saw at Pouch Camp which is completely different than the DEC link, above, which I was not aware of at the time of the hike.  Yet there is a greenbelt marker on the left.  I am not sure if I was where I was supposed to be or not.  I think I was in the easement but then the DEC link says that is not allowed on Thanksgiving weekend, which is what this was.  It is very confusing.

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 40.58880, -74.13867

Greenbelt Nature Center Parking

TRAIL MAPS: 

Greenbelt Trail Map - Greenbelt Conservancy

Saint Francis Woodlands Trail Map - New York DEC

Pouch Camp Conservation Easement Map - New York DEC

HIKE DISTANCE: 9.8 miles

THE HIKE: 

I had hiked here exactly 6 years ago to the day on November 29, 2019.  Covering a different area this time.

From the Nature Center Trail, left on blue.

Moses Mountain (renamed Paulo's Peak) up ahead.

Right on the boardwalk to ascend Paulo's Peak.

Not a whole lot to see up here.  With leaves on the trees there would probably be no view at all.

This trail is not on the map.  There were actually many trails not on the map.

This was the iffy area at Pouch Camp.

Blue goes steeply downhill towards the Richmond County Country Club.

Along the way, a bit of a view of the bay.

Around the sign is a bench ...

... with better views.

Coming up on a busy intersection with crossing lights.

Back across that busy intersection.

Entering Saint Francis Woodlands

An impressive, almost 1/4 mile boardwalk.

At the end just before the parking lot ...

... right on red ...

... back to the beginning of the boardwalk ...

... and around Priory Pond.

High Rock Park

The blue trail follows a residential road to Rockland Avenue where there is a crosswalk just to the left but no crossing lights.  It is crazy busy with traffic and had some kind person not stopped to let us cross, we would still be standing there waiting.

After crossing, right briefly then left on Eleanor Street to the continuation of the trail on the right.

Keeping straight on red back to the nature center.

Pin It