Poets’ Walk: beautiful views and a lot of carrying

We did this loop on a gorgeous day, and the photos really do not do justice to the views. There were pretty little moments everywhere and no huge crowds on our visit. The big practical catch: we could not have done the whole trail with a stroller.

Gorgeous viewsFull loop not stroller-friendlyLots of carryingRhinebeck afterward

Open meadow with Hudson River and mountains beyond at Poets’ Walk

Our outingTrail loop, then a Rhinebeck stop

StrollerWe could not complete the full route with one

MobilityWalking plus a lot of carrying

CrowdsNo huge crowds during our visit

The views are the reason to go

This was such a beautiful outdoor day. We walked the loop, took in the views and enjoyed the little moments along the way. It felt like a place where we could appreciate the scenery without the huge crowds that can come with some Hudson Valley outings. That was our experience on this particular day, of course, but it was a lovely one.

Be ready to carry

There was no way for us to do this whole trail with a stroller. We walked it with a lot of carrying, and that is the detail I would want another family to know before committing to the loop. Beautiful scenery does not automatically make a route an easy outing for a child who needs breaks from walking. If your family relies on a stroller throughout, I would choose another outing or check the current trail map with the park before deciding how far to go.

A sweet stop in Rhinebeck

Afterward, we headed into Rhinebeck for a coffee and a cookie at Little Goat. We also picked up a really cute park ranger T-shirt for Isamu at a local shop on the main street. A walk, a treat and a little shopping made a lovely day together.

The Isamu test

The scenery and quieter atmosphere were the highlights. The amount of carrying was the work. We enjoyed the outing, but I would plan around your child’s walking stamina and your own ability to carry rather than treating it as a stroller stroll. We did not note bathroom or changing facilities on this visit, so I cannot report on those.

The Hudson River and distant mountains framed by autumn trees — Photos really do not do these views justice.

Isamu in a red plaid shirt in a sunny meadow at Poets’ Walk — Pretty little moments along the loop.

Isamu enjoying a cookie beside a Little Goat iced coffee — Coffee and a cookie at Little Goat in Rhinebeck.

Isamu at the table during our cookie break in Rhinebeck — A sweet finish after all that walking and carrying.

Rustic timber pavilion beside the path at Poets’ Walk — The rustic pavilion on the way in.

Open meadow with the Hudson River and mountains beyond — A wider view of the river and mountains.

Hudson River seen through autumn trees from the Poets’ Walk overlook — Another angle on that beautiful overlook.

Isamu walking across a small wooden bridge on the trail — A little bridge along our walk.

Isamu beside a trail sign for the lookout and summer house — Following the signs toward the lookout.

Isamu walking up a gravel path toward the rustic pavilion — Heading up toward the pavilion.

Would we recommend it?

Yes, for the gorgeous views and a walk your family is prepared for. Expect to do more than push a stroller around a simple loop, and leave some energy for a Rhinebeck treat afterward. For current park details and the trail map, see Scenic Hudson’s Poets’ Walk page.