11 Forest Fitness Trails That Double as Therapy

11. Watkins Glen State Park — Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen’s gorge trails wind beneath a forest canopy and along stone stairways, creating a steady, rhythmic walk that lends itself well to meditative pacing. The repeated patterns of footfall on stone and the presence of flowing streams make it easy to turn attention outward to natural detail, which calms anxious thought loops. Short circuits inside the park can be completed in under an hour, offering a practical therapy session for a lunch break or a morning outing. The layered rock formations and multiple small waterfalls serve as focal points for visual mindfulness exercises—notice water motion, texture, and sound while maintaining steady breathing. Because stairs and slick surfaces are common, choose sturdy footwear and move deliberately for both safety and therapeutic benefit. Visiting outside peak tourist times deepens the sense of solitude and reflection.