Making the most out of your hiking experience means selecting an ideal trail that matches your fitness level and understanding its terminology. From easy trails suitable for young hikers and first-timers, to adrenaline-charged mountain marches – New York provides plenty of choices!
From beautiful waterfalls to ice caves, these top hiking trails will ensure that your next journey will be an unforgettable one.
1. Breakneck Ridge
Breakneck Ridge Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve is one of the premier day hikes in America. This steep and challenging vertical ascent rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of Hudson River Valley. While Breakneck Ridge Trail provides an accessible high intensity walk, additional loops may also be extended further to meet individual adventure levels.
Breakneck Ridge, as a popular tourist spot, can become overrun on weekends during spring and fall peak seasons. To avoid crowds at Breakneck Ridge Trail on weekends or other peak times, consider hiking it on weekdays or other non-peak times, which will allow you to move at your own pace up the steep rock scrambles without fear of getting tailgated by other hikers.
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation rates this trail as strenuous, but it remains accessible to hikers of all skill levels. The initial part of the hike entails rock scrambling on both feet and hands, but once on trail there are numerous sections with alternate routes should anything arise that requires you to step off path temporarily.
Once you’ve mastered the rock scrambles, you’ll arrive at your first viewpoint at Breakneck Ridge Flag Pole – perhaps the most stunning view along the entire trail – making all your hard work worthwhile. From here you can continue along Breakneck Ridge Trail or branch off onto Nimham Trail for a more gradual descent; Nimham Trail opened in 2021 with 500 stone steps that makes descending more pleasant than would have otherwise been.
Nimham Trail provides access to the Little Stony Point estate ruins, adding another captivating aspect of your hike. At 1.3-mile round trip distance, this trail will show you captivating wildflowers and tidal marsh views as well as eye-catching wildflowers. Once completed, head back into Cold Spring town for some delicious dining or drinking at one of their bars or restaurants!
2. Cold Spring
Cold Spring, located in Putnam County near New York City, boasts some of the best hiking trails nearby. Offering small town charm combined with stunning nature views and delicious cuisine, Cold Spring makes an excellent destination for the adventurous traveller seeking peace. Extroverts will find comfort within its calm ambience and small village feel.
The village is a federally recognized historic district that features both modern and classic architecture. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops lining its quaint streets as well as picturesque vistas along the Hudson River that you can take a leisurely stroll along.
Cold Spring’s best hikes can be found in the Hudson Highlands, which boast breathtaking mountain views and provide an immersive natural experience. Experienced trekkers may prefer Breakneck Ridge while beginners might prefer one of the gentler paths at Hudson Highlands State Park.
Constitution Marsh Trail in Cold Spring offers one of the finest hikes available; this short scenic stroll leads to a gorgeous boardwalk overlooking Hudson River and provides ample birding opportunities.
Cold Spring offers many fantastic hiking trails, with one being the Bull Hill Loops Trail which can be reached from Mt. Taurus trailhead off Route 9D. Although this hike can be more strenuous than some others on our list, its rewards more than make up for any additional effort involved – it can even be combined with Cornish Estate or Washburn Trail to form a complete loop.
After your hiking excursion, Moo Moo’s Creamery makes for the ideal stop to treat yourself to delicious homemade ice cream and other delectable treats. Plus, The Hudson Valley Tavern provides food such as burgers, coffee and soda.
Cold Spring can be reached easily by taking the Metro-North train from Grand Central or Harlem 125th Street and arriving directly in town, where most trails can be easily walked to. Alternate methods include Uber/Lyft rides, Cold Spring Trolley service or renting bikes from local bike shops – which will get you close enough. Most hiking trails in Cold Spring are popular and may become busy during peak seasons, so research each trail before planning a visit.
3. The Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve in New York State covers an 8,000 acre expanse of mountain cliffs, forests, fields, streams and ponds – making it New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve and an invaluable education center. School programs and camps offered include environmental conservation, natural science education as well as land protection/stewardship issues that have taught thousands of children how to appreciate the rich biodiversity found along the Shawangunk Ridge through these experiences.
While Mohonk Lake Park trails are designed to accommodate hikers of any skill level, some can prove more challenging. One such trail is The Giant’s Workshop: an intricate web of crawls and ladders leading to a cave and spectacular clifftop view of Mohonk Lake. However, its path can be steep and rocky at times with narrow cave entrances.
Gunks Loop, an iconic carriage road circuit offering stunning cliffs and panoramic vistas, is another favorite hike for many visitors to New Jersey. Climbers in particular tend to flock here on weekends when crowds swarm the trails; however, as these wide trails accommodate hikers and bikers without creating undue stress on weekdays.
The preserve hosts various events throughout the year, such as its Fall Fest – an opportunity to sample local food, wine and beer while taking in a day on the trails – and winter sports enthusiasts can find ample cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails groomed. There’s even plenty of natural eye candy waiting out there during those colder months!
If this is your first visit to Mohonk, a good starting point is the Visitor Center, with models of wildlife as well as recreational advice and suggestions. In addition, there is also a downstairs Kids Corner offering nature-themed games and activities, and Tripod, Mohonk’s rescue turtle.
4. Gertrude’s Nose
Gertrude’s Nose in Shawangunk Mountain Ridge offers breathtaking scenery, with jagged cliffs and deep crevices. However, this hike requires considerable elevation gain and should only be attempted by experienced hikers due to its strenuous nature. However, its views make this trek well worth your while!
Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers one of the region’s most beloved hikes: Gertrude’s Nose Loop Hike is a loop hike featuring one of its most impressive rock formations, Gertrude’s Nose. The trail combines carriage roads and hiking paths over 10 miles long; its cliff edges feature white conglomerate that defines Shawangunk Mountains geology while trees, shrubs and wildflowers line its routes.
Starting out from Millbrook Mountain parking lot, this trail heads back toward the main entrance of the preserve before diverting off on Gertrude’s Nose Footpath for an excursion along Wallkill Valley’s cliffs and rapid ascent of Gertrude’s Nose. Soon enough, however, you reach its summit and discover breathtaking panoramic views!
As the trail continues, it passes some glacial erratics before arriving at Patterson’s Pellet. Here’s where the real fun starts; here, the trail winds around cliffs and through deep crevices while offering incredible views along its journey.
After a short distance, the trail reaches one of the region’s most iconic landmarks – Gertrude’s Nose – its namesake for this hike. A massive rock cliff that looks like an enormous nose offers breathtaking views across the surrounding area and serves as an excellent photo opportunity and break from hiking. This stop serves both purposes!
As you progress along the Gertrude’s Nose trail, its breathtaking cliffs open up even further and reveal some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery. These include blueberry mattes and mountain laurel; further adding beauty to this hike are tree roots which have grown around boulders that further add charm.