Fresh air, rolling hills and a private country escape await approximately one hour north of Manhattan. Welcome to 236 Hardscrabble Road, set on 8.2 pristine acres in North Salem, where Northern Westchester meets the beginning of New York’s celebrated horse country. Custom built in 2002 and upgraded in 2010, the residence is tucked well away from the road for immediate privacy and designed to capture sweeping, unobstructed views of Hidden Pond, where ducks and swans drift across the water. Beyond its beautiful water views, the pond offers enjoyment in every season, from kayaking and canoeing in the warmer months to ice skating and friendly games of hockey in the winter. A circular driveway framed by stone walls and mature, layered landscaping sets the tone upon arrival. Lilac, wisteria, dogwood, birch and oak trees create a richly textured, four-season backdrop, surrounding a hidden water feature and enhancing the property’s sense of seclusion. Inside, 20-foot cathedral ceilings, dark oak plank floors and walls of glass bring the landscape into the home. Two skylights and a grand stone fireplace anchor the expansive living room, filling it with natural light and warmth. The main entertaining spaces are arranged on the first floor and open seamlessly onto a wraparound deck, inviting outdoor dining, long summer evenings and quiet afternoons spent enjoying the spectacular colors of fall. With beautiful pond and countryside views as its backdrop, the home is equally suited to intimate dinners and lively celebrations. The chef’s kitchen features Viking appliances, dual ovens, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, glass-front cabinetry, hunter green granite countertops, generous storage and a separate walk-in pantry. A large center island welcomes casual gatherings, while the elegant formal dining room, with French doors, provides a gracious setting for special occasions. Also on the first floor, the approximately 900-square-foot primary suite offers a private sanctuary and makes the home beautifully suited to one-level living. A large fireplace, spa-like en-suite bath with a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, dual walk-in closets and direct access to a private deck create a peaceful retreat overlooking the grounds. Upstairs, three additional bedrooms each offer an en-suite bath and walk-in closet. The standout guest suite, approximately 700 square feet, includes a sitting area, three expansive closets, an en-suite bath with a skylight and a separate private entrance to the garage, offering exceptional flexibility for guests or extended stays. A walk-up unfinished attic provides additional possibilities, whether envisioned as a home office, gym, art studio or other flexible space. The expansive unfinished walkout lower level offers approximately 2,735 additional square feet, not included in the home’s overall listed square footage. High ceilings and two sets of sliding glass doors opening directly to the backyard create a bright, inviting canvas with potential for an indoor pool, guest apartment or other uses, subject to necessary approvals. Multiple access points to the garage and main home, along with a private entrance from the backyard, add to the level’s versatility and future potential. Just minutes from Metro-North, North Salem offers its signature countryside lifestyle, with horse farms, orchards, winding scenic roads, acclaimed local dining and the rolling hills that make this corner of Northern Westchester so special. A longtime haven for celebrities, Wall Street leaders and tech innovators, North Salem is one of Westchester’s most coveted enclaves. Private, pristine and surrounded by nature, 236 Hardscrabble Road is a fabulous country residence for full-time living or weekend getaways, offering a place to exhale, entertain and enjoy the fresh air with Manhattan comfortably within reach.