Yes, you can go hiking in New York. The city is home to some 30,000 acres of parkland, a third of which includes “natural areas” such as forests, rivers, wetlands, swamps and beaches. And it's so easy to find yourself happily lost in the urban nature of the city when you know where to look. The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect travel, and destinations around the world have different restrictions related to COVID-19.Always check local government policies and comply with them, and use our content to dream of a future trip.
This steep but rewarding 3.2-mile loop is just over 60 miles north of the city (an hour and a half by car; two hours by train). And while you shouldn't let the name of this trail scare you, you should show up prepared for a tough hike. After reaching the ridge (and enjoying a snack to celebrate), you'll pass Sugarloaf Mountain on the way down and enjoy endless views of the Hudson River. Just a two-hour drive north of the city, this trail goes through open fields (with wildflowers, if you time it right) and forests before reaching the Bonticou crag, the highlight of this 2.3-mile excursion.
From the impressive white cliff there are nothing but blue-green views of the rolling hills below. In Harriman State Park, just 46 miles from the city, is the 10-mile Pine Meadow Trail. Ambitious hikers (or early risers) may do the entire hike in one day, while others may want to make this a backpacking trip or turn around after a few kilometers. Either way, be sure to set aside time to sit on the shore of Pine Meadow Lake (about 2.5 miles) and enjoy the view.
To easily escape the city, head north to Yonkers, where the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail starts. The entire route is 26.5 miles long, but for a short day hike, try walking the 10-mile round trip trail from the town of Ossining to the New Croton Dam. This trail is more like a walk than a walk, and the end goal, the picturesque dam, is well worth the trip. When the hustle and bustle of the city gets too intense, head to Lake Skenonto via the moderate 8.1-mile Lake Skenonto circuit in Harriman State Park.
The wooded trail is just over an hour's drive from the city, and spending a day on the shores of the lake is the best way to cool off. Along this 3.8-mile hike, you'll follow in the footsteps of Benedict Arnold, who used part of this trail to escape during the Revolutionary War. If that's not enough to close the deal, this route also includes a waterfall, bamboo forest, and views of the West Point Naval Academy and the Hudson River. Just above the Hudson, from the popular Bear Mountain, is Storm King State Park, home to the impressive Storm King Mountain.
You can climb to the top and enjoy the views on the 2.6-mile course of the Storm King Trail. The moderate hike has several different routes to the top, so you can choose a trail (and the corresponding difficulty index) that fits your hiking style. If you want to go on a day trip other than the Hudson Valley, which is full of hiking trails, head northwest to Wawayanda State Park in New Jersey. Here you'll find the Stairway to Heaven trail, a 2.9-mile round trip with a waterfall, wildflowers (if you time it right) and views for days.
If you like bouldering, on the way up you'll find lots of big rocks waiting to be conquered. Crossing the Minnewaska State Park Reserve is the 7.8-mile Gertrude's Nose Trail, a circuit that features outcrops of white calcareous rocks and dense forest. You'll start and finish the hike at Lake Minnewaska, so bring picnic supplies so you can eat and dip your feet in the water before returning home. If you don't have time for a two-hour train ride or the funds to rent a car, take train 1 to the end of the line in the Bronx and head to Van Cortlandt Park.
The 3-mile John Muir trail round trip crosses the park from east to west and takes hikers through three different forested areas: the Northeast Forest, the Croton Forest, and the Northwest Forest, and covers terrain that most New Yorkers don't even realize is in their backyard. This simple trail takes New Yorkers 55 miles west to New Jersey. Here, near the small town of Califon, hikers can stretch their legs on the 3.8-mile round trip trail that runs along the picturesque southern branch of the Raritan River. One of the most impressive and popular places for hiking from New York has to be Bear Mountain State Park.
Located on the west bank of the Hudson River, this 5,205-acre state park is just a 1-hour drive away. Breakneck Ridge is just over an hour from Grand Central on the Metro-North line. The hike starts at river level and climbs some 1,500 feet up a steep rocky ridge. The roughly four-mile hike is tiring and involves climbing large rocks, but climbers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Hudson Valley at several points along the trail.
Storm King Mountain is across the river, Bannerman Castle on Pollopel Island is to the north, and on a clear day, you can see the Manhattan skyline. If you're looking for unique hikes near New York City, be sure to check out the Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze trails at Mohonk Preserve. The vast state of New York is often hidden behind the shadow of New York City, one of the largest metropolises in the world. Overlook Mountain is close to the hippie town of Woodstock, one of the best small cities to visit in New York.
This hike covers a 3.7-mile circuit and it is necessary to walk a few steps to see all the views offered by the area, namely, the views of the West Point Naval Academy, the views of the Hudson River and even the former home of the governor of New York, Hamilton Fish. With more than 30,000 acres of parkland, New York City offers hundreds of nature trails to explore in parks across the five boroughs. The Kaaterskill Falls are the tallest “waterfall” in New York State and also one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in New York. New Yorkers don't have to travel far to enjoy nature, from Staten Island's green belt, which is three times the size of Central Park, to the ecologically diverse forests of Van Cortlandt Park and the salt marshes of Marine Park Preserve.
Storm King Mountain, which rises more than 1,300 feet above the Hudson Valley, offers something extraordinary for those seeking hikes near New York City. Start at the Sam's Point Visitor Center, pay at the entrance and begin the hike to the Verkeerderkill Waterfall Trail, then to the Ice Cave Trail, and finish at Sam's Point for a magnificent panoramic view. A steep 500-foot rock staircase takes you to the first section of the 2.6-mile hike, then a relatively flat trail leads to a viewpoint with views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge. Bronx River Forest As one of the oldest forests in New York City, the Bronx River Forest offers a quiet respite from urban life.
Therefore, many outdoor spaces in New York State have been intentionally kept secret so that others do not have access to these wonders and natural spaces. Storm King Mountain only scratches the surface of places to explore in the Hudson Valley, and if you head further north, you'll discover more beautiful views of upstate New York. You'll find that this is particularly widespread in much of New York, from hiking trails in upstate New York to areas of Long Island. .
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