One of my favorite places to hike in the Hamptons is at the Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island. Part of the simple fun is taking the short ferry ride from Sag Harbor to the island, where a natural area of nearly 2,100 acres awaits you, encompassing diverse habitats, and many species of plants and animals. Comprising one third of Shelter Island, the Preserve was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in January of 1980. Mashomack was purchased to stop development of this nearly pristine peninsula and to protect one of the most dense populations of breeding ospreys on the east coast [clearly the favorite feathered friend of Hamptons nature buffs!] .

Have a look at my gorgeous NEW KDHamptons Photo Diary that I snapped along the trail and be sure to hit this hike in the fall season ~ there are options for a three, six, and eleven mile loop. Now get going!

Edged in by 10 miles of coastline, Mashomack is an expanse of magnificent scenic beauty, showcasing interlacing tidal creeks, woodlands, fields and coastline. The Nature Conservancy shares, “The extensive salt marshes of Mashomack are vitally significant ecologically, being the breeding ground and nursery for the smallest links in the marine chain of life.”

As my pal Genifer Lancaster and I hiked into to the great meadow, we were stunned to see a charming setting for a wedding that was clearly about to take place. What a beautiful view! #weddingcrashers

Bunches of white hydrangea and flowers from the field adorned the makeshift alter. Great DIY design idea: Empty wine bottles were wired to stakes in the ground and filled with sunflowers and greens to line the aisle. Good luck to the mystery wedding couple ~ Hope you hear that your wedding setting made it on KDHamptons!

I made my friend Genifer walk down the aisle for good measure.

According to the conservancy [main building below], “Fourteen hundred acres of upland oak and beech forest are now being allowed to develop into an old-growth forest, a habitat scarce in the Northeast. Open, grassy meadows provide another contrasting habitat. All these areas are protected and managed to provide a safe haven for all native species.”

We also discovered a cute old farmhouse which has been transplanted to a perfect perch on the bluffs overlooking the water. I could not resist climbing underneath and sticking my feet out for my Wizard of Oz moment [above]. #thewickedwitchofthehamptons?

Below, Gen does her best to ring the front doorbell to see if Dorothy is home.

Mashomack is “a museum of life in process, a sanctuary where the natural cycles of flora, fauna, and ecosystems are allowed to complete themselves free from human interference.” Their mission at Mashomack Preserve is to “maintain its full array of natural communities and species, and to restore to health those that have been disturbed by human action. To this end, the Preserve is made available for compatible scientific research, educational programs, and passive recreational use.”

This serene spot is one of the most beautiful reasons to visit the Hamptons in the off season. See you on the trail! xx KDH

*For year-round hours of operation, please visit the Mashomack web-site: http://www.nature.org/Mashomack

Phone: (631) 749-1001

* ALL PHOTOS BY KELLI DELANEY KOT