For artist Frederic Edwin Church, the hilltop where he built his Moorishstyle home was both the inspiration for his painting, and a canvas itself. He first visited the property in 1845, as an 18-year-old protégé of Thomas Cole, a founding artist among the Hudson River School painters. In 1860, he bought an unprepossessing farm plot that he turned into a bucolic paradise, and in 1867, he acquired the hilltop.

Over these 250 acres, Church developed orchards, gardens, a 10-acre lake, stretches of woods, and a network of carriage roads thoughtfully laid out to capitalize on the landscapes and views throughout. The 1.5-mile Ridge Road loop will take you through the vistas that inspired Church’s art, as well as the walks and views that he designed to captivate his well-heeled guests.

From the visitor center, follow the wide gravel path a short distance to the main paved road. Cross the road and enter the carriage trail just behind the wooden barricade and fire lane sign. Follow the woodsy path to a Y intersection and go left onto Ridge Road. This route soon opens out onto a panorama of the Hudson River Valley, with the Rip Van Winkle Bridge at its center. It is easy to see how views like this inspired the Hudson River School artists.

A little farther on, the path curves to the left, into a heavily shaded stretch. A hairpin turn breaks off to the right; pass this and stay on the main path, which soon leads out to the paved road. Turn left and walk along the grassy bank until you come to a path with a bench where Church’s studio once stood. You could follow the paved road back up to the parking lot, but take the gravel garden path up to the left. In a short distance, the path curves right, and before you emerges a view of the house that makes you stop in your tracks. This is the effect that Church was striving for. Remember: Bicycles are not permitted on the paths.

If the views of the Hudson River make you want to walk over it, head south to Walkway Over the Hudson (Trip 84).

Olana is a perfect setting for a picnic, and bringing one is encouraged.