Community Meets Luxury
Sleight Farm’s blog about building a custom home and living in Dutchess County, NY.
What Mountain Range is in Dutchess County, NY?
May 15, 2023
We get the question a lot, especially when people see photos of — or experience firsthand — the breathtaking views at the Sleight Farm neighborhood. Wherever you go in our corner of the Hudson Valley, there they are: the famed Taconic Mountains.
Here, we offer a closer look at these natural beauties. No climbing or hiking gear required.
The Taconic Mountains are a range of low-lying mountains that extend from New York to Connecticut and Massachusetts. The range is roughly 200 miles long and are actually a smaller part of the much larger Appalachian Mountain range. In fact, one of the most scenic sections of the Appalachian Trail runs right through the Taconics.
All those various peaks and ridges you see in photos rise up to about 2,000 feet above sea level. There are 101 named mountains in Dutchess County, with Brace Mountain being the highest point. The most prominent mountain is South Beacon Mountain.
Our mountains are considered one of the oldest ranges in the region. They were formed during the Ordovician period over 400 million years ago! Since then, they’ve been shaped and eroded by glaciers and other geological forces.
The Taconics are known for rich biodiversity, offering a home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. The forests are dominated by hardwood trees such as maple, oak, and beech. Our animal neighbors include species like black bears, bobcats, and white-tailed deer.
In addition to providing a gorgeous backdrop, the Taconic Mountains have played an important role in the history and culture of the Dutchess County region. They’ve been inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years. Later, they were settled by European colonists who established farms and communities in the area…including Abraham Sleight in 1765.
We hope that you, like us, are lucky enough to call these mountains your backyard!