The Yorktown 5K Trail Run offers a crisp, engaging outdoor challenge just outside New York City’s suburban hum. Stretching 3.1 miles through Yorktown’s varied terrain, this route invites runners and hikers alike to navigate a mix of singletrack paths, modest elevation gains, and shaded forest stretches.

Starting at the trailhead near the Kenneth Burns Memorial Park, the course immediately greets you with a well-worn dirt path that shifts between packed soil and rocky outcrops, keeping footing interesting but manageable. The total elevation gain hovers around 350 feet — enough to push your legs but not overwhelm newcomers. As the trail threads deeper into the forest, mature trees lean overhead, their branches filtering sunlight and adding a rhythmic whisper to your pace.

One standout is the middle section’s gentle climb, where natural ridges challenge your rhythm and reveal patches of ferns and wildflowers annually awakened by spring rains. Around the halfway mark, a modest clearing offers a rare visual breath — sweeping views of surrounding hills and the Hudson Valley’s distant line pushing the horizon’s edge. These glimpses bolster your resolve as the trail folds back into shaded, cooler terrain.

Hydration is essential here. While the course lacks water stations, several natural springs nearby signal fresh sources if you’re equipped with a purification method. Footwear with reliable grip and protection against root-heavy ground will serve well, especially in post-rain conditions where the dirt path grows slick.

Plan your run or hike during early mornings or late afternoons to avoid midday heat and catch the most vibrant light filtering through the canopy. Avoid peak summer afternoons when bugs increase activity, and trails can become crowded.

The Yorktown 5K is not simply about speed; it’s a measured engagement with a landscape that remains fiercely itself. The push of your breath, the steady footfalls, and the trail’s quiet demands shape an experience that rewards preparation and respect for the natural flow of terrain and time.

Whether you’re chasing a fitness goal or the thrill of moving through a living landscape, this trail run is practical and approachable. It’s a reminder outdoor adventure doesn’t always require wild extremes—sometimes, it’s about moving deliberately through a place that dares you to meet it head-on, step by step.