4.9 miles | 173.9 ft gain | Difficulty: Easy | Rating ★★★★ We opted for Van Cortland Park. We had been there a few years ago during the warmer months, to check out the Van Cortlandt House and explore wilderness stretching too and beyond the Sawmill Parkway. This time, our plan was to explore the revamped Old Putnam Rail Trail, part of the newly established Empire State Trail.