Malouf's Mountain Sunset Camp · 3.Stairway to Heaven Trail · 4.Before you commit to hiking the 2,168 miles of the Appalachian Trail, take a weekend to try it out by taking a quick train ride to part of the famous hike. The Metro-North Harlem line runs from Grand Central to the Appalachian Trail station on the weekend in the morning, and you can choose the pace and direction of your hike, making it an excellent hike for people of all levels. Steve Brill, who describes himself as a “savage,” also offers guided walks in search of food along a small section of the trail on Saturday mornings, if you can't decide which route to take. There's no better motivation to get some exercise than the promise of a cold beer at the end.
This 12-mile loop starts approximately one mile from the Peekskill Metro North stop. Once on the trail, you can visit viewpoints over the Hudson River and pass by a quiet pond along the way. Back on the train, be sure to stop by the Peekskill Brewery to reward yourself for making the climb. In less than two hours, the Metro-North Hudson Line takes you to Poughkeepsie, where a full day of activities awaits.
Start with a walk along the walkway over the Hudson (the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, located 212 feet above the river) before heading west to Franny Reese State Park. There are two and a half miles of trails with sites such as an old carriage road, ruins of a 19th century estate, and magnificent views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Reward yourself with dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants before returning home. With a name like Lemon Squeezer, you know this has to be a fun trail.
The 7.5-mile circuit features the typical pond and vegetation, but it also has the unique advantages of a narrow rock formation (hence the squeezer) and the historic Boston mine. Simply buy a ticket to Southfields on the Port Authority Shortline bus and ask the bus driver to drop you off at Arden Valley Road, next to a sign welcoming you to Harriman State Park. There are even discounts for hikers. This simple one-mile walk along the Long Island Strait is ideal for enjoying beautiful views of the water and swamps.
It also passes by an 1838 mansion that was once the home of John Jay. For this tour, take the New Haven Metro-North line to Harrison Station, walk along Purdy Street, turn left on Park Avenue and then right on Boston Post Road. Nature and history lovers will enjoy this trail that runs along the route of the ancient Croton aqueduct. The total length of the trail runs 26 miles from Tarrytown to Yonkers, but there are several Metro-North stops between the two cities, making it easy to get on and off.
Wander through parts of the old aqueduct, Lyndhurst Castle, and many other historic buildings during your walk. 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. If you want to enjoy views similar to those of the Breakneck Ridge Loop hike, but are looking for a shorter hike, this route is only 2.5 miles and goes directly to Sugarloaf Mountain.
This is probably the best cost-effective hike on this list. With just a few miles of hiking, you'll enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the Hudson Valley right at your feet. It's easy enough to make it perfect for families with children. On this hike up Manitou Mountain, you'll find stunning views around every corner.
It's a bit of an exhausting hike, but it's not too long, approximately 4 miles round trip. In addition, there are parts of this hike (and in the metropolitan area of Harriman State Park) where it's common to get lost in the forest, but of all the trails I've taken in this park, the one at Reeves Brook is the easiest to walk. Watkins Glen State Park in this case is one of the best New York state parks I've ever seen (it's really amazing). It's also on the Appalachian Trail, so you can explore it a bit if you're thinking of hiking parts or possibly the entire 2.00 trail at some point in the future.
The vast state of New York is often hidden behind the shadow of New York City, one of the largest metropolises in the world. Located right on the border of New York and New Jersey, this hike is so close to the city that on a clear day, you can even see the New York skyline. If you still feel like walking a bit, you can add an easier walk by taking the one-mile circuit at Little Stony Point, just across the street, before grabbing a bite to eat in the town of Cold Spring, which is just a 15-minute walk away. Remember that you can always turn this into a fun one-night experience by staying at some of the best glamping spots in New York or combining your hiking trip with a visit to one of the many small, charming towns in upstate New York.
In addition, thanks to the abundance of state parks in New York and New Jersey (it has the second largest number in the country, behind California), thousands of hiking trails abound for those looking for a little exercise to accompany their trip to the countryside. Climb the picturesque Ramapo Lake and follow the Wanaque Ridge Trail along the western ridge of the Ramapo Mountains for stunning views of New Jersey and Ramapo Lake. 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. There are real gems of day trips near New York that you can explore, and in this post, I'm going to share 15 of them that I've done personally.
There are approximately 500 trails and 200 miles of hiking to choose from in Harriman State Park, a park that sprawls across the countries of Rockland and Orange, just 30 miles north of New York City. The Kaaterskill Falls are the tallest “waterfall” in New York State and also one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in New York. .
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