Hit the Trail – Twin Lakes Preserve

Twin Lakes Preserve in Wantagh offers a system of dirt trails that are sure to keep even the most easily bored runners engaged. This is one of the best flat trail-runs in Long Island because of the variety of challenges the path presents. Roots will keep you hopping, zig-zagging, and mixing up your stride as you carve your way through the forest around three freshwater lakes. Downed trees and staircases get you hurdling and climbing. Bridges, narrow ledges, and logs right next to the water will keep you on your toes – literally, at times. Every turn brings a fun new challenge on this natural obstacle course, or, at the very least, a change in scenery. The terrain quickly transforms from thick forest to leafy swamp to sandy lakeside to flowing stream, sometimes in a matter of minutes. You can rarely see more than a few yards up the trail at any time, so you literally never know what exciting new feature is coming around the next bend.

If you’re looking to slow down and soak in the scenery on a nice hike, you’ll be treated to views of a wealth of birds, turtles, and flowering lily pads (which are absolutely stunning) during the warmer months. The North Lake has a smattering of vibrant green mosses and lazy streams with deep green grasses swaying at their bottoms. One section even has some boulders beside a bridge above a babbling brook (say that ten times fast) and being there feels like you’ve magically been transported to the Catskills. This is an easy contender for best spot in the preserve and it’s great for stretching or stopping to soak in the sun.

An awesome feature of Twin Lakes Preserve is that the trail isn’t sprawling enough to get you lost, but offers enough little options and add-ons to keep you coming back for new experiences. If it’s your first time at the park, start your trek at the South Lake (same side of the road where you will park) and head counterclockwise around the lake for a quick warm-up – it’s only a half mile around with no side-trip options. At the end of the loop, go up the steps that lead back to the road and take extreme caution when crossing – it’s very difficult to see cars coming from the right. Once across the street, head left along the sidewalk back towards where you parked and then turn right to enter the North Lake side. The North Lake path makes up most of the preserve – about 1.5 to 2 miles depending on your route – and has some side-trip options to extend your journey. You’ll be heading clockwise with the lake on your right.

To begin the North Lake route, tip-toe your way along the wooden fishing steps and then you’ll be in the forest for a while. You’ll pass a muddy section with a bog and swamp cabbage on your right (rain-forest-like plants with huge, lush green leaves) and then move directly alongside a metal fence on your left (watch your head for low-lying branches) before arriving at the first junction. Turn right and cross a wooden bridge to snake your way back towards the lake. When you reach the lake, turn left and continue following the trail along the perimeter of the lake. You’ll eventually circle around to the other (east) side of the lake and then head south back towards the entrance. There are a couple of stone ledges and log walks you’ll traverse, and if a fork in the path presents itself, just keep the fence on your left and you’ll be fine. At the end, a staircase poses as the final challenge and then you’ll be back by the road you started at (parking to the right). The whole route is about 2.5 miles.

You can add on some peninsulas and extra loops on the north lake to see everything and extend your run, or you could redo one of the lakes in reverse for even more distance.  If you want to run both loops in both directions it’s about 4.5-5 miles. The option of connecting to nearby paths for more distance is also an option.

 

Nearby Trail Connections 

• Wantagh Highway Trail: From the parking area, head east along Park Ave on the north side of the road (opposite of parking) towards Wantagh Ave. As soon as you get over the bridge that goes over Wantagh Parkway, you’ll see a trail entrance on the left side that leads into the forest adjacent to the highway. The trail goes 1.3 miles (one way) all the way to Jerusalem Ave. About half a mile north, some trail branches on the right will take you to the Wantagh Museum on Wantagh Ave (another spot you could start from and connect to Twin Lakes).
•Mill Pond Park : From the parking area, head west to the end of Park Ave and turn left onto Old Mill Road. Stay on the right side of the road and follow the road south for about half a mile, and then cross Sunrise Highway at the crosswalk. Once you get to the south side of Sunrise Highway, turn left and cross over Lakeview Road (which has changed names from Old Mill Road on the north side of Sunrise highway) and walk towards the forest. Right where the fence begins is a white blaze, signifying the trail. Follow the white blazes to get to the paved path.

 

Tips and Precautions

• For your first few times running here, GO SLOW and stay focused on the ground in front of you until you get more accustomed to the terrain.
• If you are afraid of getting lost, when heading clockwise, keep the lake on your right and the fence on your left. If you’re heading counterclockwise, keep the lake on your left and the fence on the right. Can’t go wrong.
• The path is all dirt so expect mud during or shortly after a rain shower. Watch out for thorn vines. Wear high socks or pants to protect your legs.
• Beware of fishermen, but more importantly, beware of rods and fishing lines lying around next to the fishermen, which can and will trip you if you don’t look for them!
• The path is narrow. This means two things:
  1)  You won’t be able to pass someone easily or run side-by-side with a friend. If you run behind someone, give them a good amount space.
  2) Be prepared to maniacally freak out when you accidentally run through a spider web at least once.
• The summer can be buggy. Use bug spray or run faster to escape the mosquitoes.
• The park closes at dusk and has no lights. Try to finish 30 minutes before sunset.
• There are no benches in the park (unless you don’t mind a downed tree or log).
• Wear shoes with good tread and ankle support. You may want to consider using trail-running shoes.
• CAUTION: if you run the south loop counterclockwise or the north loop clockwise, be very careful when crossing Park Ave at end of the loop. It is very difficult to see over the crest of the hill to the east. If you’re wearing headphones, definitely take them off when crossing so you can hear approaching cars.

Directions

The Twin Lakes Preserve is located north of Sunrise Highway east of Old Mill Road in Wantagh. Access points are located behind the Forest Lake School located on Beltagh Avenue and Old Mill Road, on Park Avenue west of the Wantagh Parkway overpass and on Sunrise Highway. It is open year round from dawn to dusk.

• From the Southern State Parkway: take the Southern State to exit 28S (Wantagh Ave). Go south for just under 2 miles. Just before the train station, make a right onto Park Ave. Pass the Wantagh Library on your right and go over the bridge. Twin Lakes Preserve will be on both sides of the road with parking and the South Lake on the left.*
• From Sunrise Highway: Take Sunrise Highway towards Wantagh and turn North onto Wantagh Ave. After you go underneath the train tracks, turn left at the first light (Park Ave). Pass the Wantagh Library on your right and continue over the bridge. Twin Lakes will be on both sides of the road with parking and the South Lake on the left.*

* When you arrive at Twin Lakes you will be on the wrong side of the road for parking. You can attempt a U-turn, but it isn’t a great idea with the corner of the block so close by. Instead, continue past the park up to the light at the end of the road and turn right onto Old Mill Road and then a quick left onto Ryder Place. Turn around here and then head back to the parking area. Alternatively, you can take the Wantagh Parkway South to exit W5, then immediately turn right onto Old Mill Road. Take your first right onto Park Ave and the parking will be on your right, preventing the need for a U-turn.

Please share your experience in the comments if you decide to give the trail a try! Happy trail running!

 

 

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