Hike & Adopted Hound

Hike with adopted dogs!

We know you’ve been wanting a dog for months but can’t commit for one reason or another. Hike with adopted dogs for the day and spend a day outside with adorable, energetic puppies.

Hundreds of dogs in New York City are abandoned and homeless. Animal Haven is a non-profit shelter that works to rescue and protect these dogs, helping them to find permanent homes. Today we’ll be heading out as one team of hikers and dog-lovers, giving these animals some much needed fresh air, exercise and love.

The morning begins at Animal Haven in Soho, where we’ll get a private volunteer orientation from Animal Haven’s staff. Usually, orientations only come around once a month for hundreds of volunteers, so it will be a special experience having an intimate group that really learns how to care and interact with these amazing dogs. Our orientation counts as the first of two for certification as an Animal Haven volunteer.

Next, we’ll meet our new best friends for the day and hop in the van together. The number of dogs for each trip will fluctuate because it is based on the number of healthy, trained dogs at the shelter the weekend of the trip. After a short ride out of Manhattan, we’ll be at the trailhead, ready to give these dogs a taste of the beauty of nature, fresh air, and good exercise.

There will be plenty to sniff along Pine Meadow and Stony Brook as we hike up craggy rises and past marshes. As you head upwards you will come to the Cascade of Slid with its many waterfalls nestled among giant boulders. After crossing a bridge and then passing the Stone Giants ( a fantastic granite rock formations broken into blocks by weathering) we’ll stop at Pine Meadow Lake for a leisurely lunch.

We’ll head back to the city, invigorated from the fresh air, the energy of puppies and our ability to do so much good and have so much fun at the same time.

It will be a barking good time.

Event Details

DEPARTURE/ORIENTATION LOCATION
8:45 AM at Animal Haven 251 Centre Street (between Grand and Broome)
RETURN TIME
Approximately 6:30 PM
WHAT'S INCLUDED
A day out with well-behaved dogs who need your love, trained licensed outdoor guide, lead Animal Haven volunteer, transportation
BRING
Lunch and two liters of water for you plus extra water for the dogs.
WEAR
Season-appropriate athletic clothing; hiking boots or trail shoes.
INTENSITY LEVEL
This hike is Intensity Level 2. Read a full description of all levels.

Want to share this event or trip?

How far is the drive?

The drive is one hour from Manhattan.

Are the dogs all together in the van?

Yes, all the humans and dogs get to road trip together! It’s great fun. Since these are rescue dogs, they all have different backgrounds and levels of sociability. Often, it’s safest for the dogs to interact only with humans and not with each other.

How do we know that these dogs are well behaved?

We work closely with Animal Haven to ensure that we bring their best behaved dogs out on the trails with us. That said, dogs will be dogs, and a growl or snap here or there is nothing to worry about. It’s normal dog behavior that says, “You’re too close to my food dish, give me some room on the seat, etc.”

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Overview

Adventures at All Skill Levels

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

Activity

How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.
Distances

You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.
Surfaces

What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.
Elevation Change

The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.
Altitude

The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Level 1

Laid-Back, Unhurried, Restful

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

Activity

You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.
Distances

For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.
Surfaces

You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.
Elevation Change

There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.
Altitude

Less than 3,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Level 2

Easy Active — Perfect for Active First-Timers

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

Activity

You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.
Distances

Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.
Surfaces

You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.
Elevation Change

There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.
Altitude

From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Level 3

Moderate — for Novices and Above

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

Activity

We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.
Distances

Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.
Surfaces

We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.
Elevation Change

There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.
Altitude

From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Level 4

Vigorous — Recommended for Fit Travelers with Basic Skills

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

Activity

You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.
Distances

Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.
Surfaces

These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.
Elevation Change

There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.
Altitude

From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Intensity Levels

This event or trip is Intensity Level 2 - 3.

Level 5

Strenuous — Very Fit or Experienced Travelers

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

Activity

You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.
Distances

You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.
Surfaces

On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.
Elevation Change

There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.
Altitude

Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.

Why Discover Outdoors?

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.

Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.

Diverse & Interesting Groups

There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.

New Experiences

Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.

Environmental Awareness

“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.

Discover Outdoors Hike & Adopted Hound

Register