The fall season is here. The leaves are changing color and a brisk chill has overtaken the land. The environment beckons for an escape into nature. Fortunately, we live in the borough with the most wilderness so there is not shortage of wilderness offering an escape from the frenzied energy of the City. See below for out list of the best hiking trails in the Bronx.

1. New York Botanical Garden

Bronx residents can roam the grounds of the Botanical Garden for free. You can take in the immaculately landscaped portions of the garden, which have something to offer for all seasons. But if you want to escape into nature, you can stroll through the Thain Family Forrest — a 50-acre section of woodland that is one of the last remaining old growth forests in New York City. It’s not only a journey through nature, but a trek through time.

2. Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park is one of the City’s largest parks and a great choice when you want to feel immersed in nature. It has over 20 miles of trails spread out over 1,000 acres. You will feel immersed in nature, as if you were miles outside the City. Definitely check out the Cass Gallagher Nature Trail and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, which traces the route of the old aqueduct.

3. Pelham Bay Park

You will travel deep into nature in New York City’s largest park. Ospreys soar overhead and deer scamper through the brush. The Kazimiroff Nature Trail winds along the shoreline and through the marsh, while the Siwanoy Trail takes you three miles into the woods. This park delivers for those who want something a little more adventurous. The shoreline adds a bonus.

4. Woodlawn Cemetery

Woodlawn Cemetery is one of New York City’s most beautiful and historically rich green spaces, making it one of the best places for hiking trails in the Bronx. A National Historic Landmark, it spans over 400 acres of rolling hills, vegetation and trees. It’s also the final resting place of many celebrated New Yorkers. Whether you want to visit a famous grave site or stroll through the beautifully landscaped grounds, this a perfect place for a serene, relaxing afternoon.

5. Soundview Park

This is the gentler, more family-friendly hike. Paths are paved and pass by baseball diamonds and benches that look onto Long Island Sound. Still, the trail mostly travels through woods and urban sights and sounds are kept out-of-mind.