WTA was established over a century ago in September of 1923 by the Westchester County Department of Recreation, with a mission to promote appreciation for the natural beauty of the woods and trails in our area. The organization quickly grew as hike leaders introduced our members to the wonders of the great outdoors, exploring Westchester County and beyond (this photo was taken on the summit of Ramapo Mountain in northern New Jersey in March of 1926).

We became an independent organization in 1961. In the decades that followed, we've remained active and connected to the local and regional hiking community, continuing to pursue the original goals of hiking and good fellowship that were established during our founding. To learn more about our history, click here.

Environmental Stewardship - WTA is a charter member of the Appalachian Trail Conference and the New York, New Jersey Trail Conference. Our volunteers maintain several miles of trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail.

Hikes - Day hikes of varying levels of difficulty are held every  Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Most hikes are in New York state or county parks or preserves within convenient driving distance,  such as Ward Pound Ridge and Blue Mountain in Westchester, as well as  Harriman, Fahnestock, Storm King/Black Rock and other popular hiking destinations in Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange counties. We also have hikes in other nearby areas, including northern New Jersey, western Connecticut, or wherever our volunteer leaders know an interesting route.