Hiking In New York?
When it comes to hikes in New York, there are thousands of New York trails to discover — both in NYC and elsewhere in the state.
Explore hiking in Manhattan (yes, you read that right!) or take a train upstate along the Hudson River to experience some of the best hikes in New York State in the Hudson Valley -- which might involve conquering Breakneck Ridge, taking in the views from Anthony's Nose Hike, looking back at the NYC skyline from the Bull Hill Full Loop, or something else.
Overlook Mountain, Buttermilk Falls, Cascade Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park, Whiteface Mountain, and Wittenberg Mountain are just a few of the many beautiful places to find hiking trails in New York State.
You can even take a road trip from NYC to hike in New York’s famous Adirondack Mountains — home to the beautiful Mt Van Hoevenberg trail as well as New York's highest mountain, Mount Marcy, at 5,344 feet.
Actually, hiking Mount Marcy is one of my absolute favorite New York State experiences.
To help you plan your perfect New York hiking trip, find some helpful resources below.
New York Hiking Guides
NYC Hiking Guides
When visiting NYC, don't miss:
HUdson Valley Hiking Guides
When visiting the Hudson Valley, don't miss:
Adirondacks Hiking Guides
When visiting the Adirondacks, don't miss:
catskills hiking guides
When visiting the Catskills, don't miss:
additional new york hiking destinations
New York Guides & Resources
USA Hiking
Hiking Around The World
Hiking Tips
Common New York Hiking Questions
Q: Where can I go hiking in NYC?
People are often surprised to learn that New York City has over 1,700 parks — many of which include hiking trails.
That being said, some parks are more rugged than others.
If you're looking for a hiking experience that feels like you've escaped the city for the Catskills, check out Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan), Van Cortlandt Park (The Bronx), and Pelham Bay Park (The Bronx).
Fun fact:
Pelham Bay Park is actually NYC's largest park at 2,772 acres!
Additionally, people often forget about Staten Island, which is just a 30-minute (free!) ferry ride away and is full of hiking trails.
Recommendation:
Check out Staten Island's six major Greenbelt trails. These offer a diverse array of hiking for all fitness abilities.
Now, if you're looking for something easy and scenic but not necessarily rugged for hiking in New York City, a few suggestions include:
- Central Park (Manhattan). The park's three major woodlands include the North Woods, the Ramble, and the Hallett Nature Sanctuary (shown in the below video).
- Randall's Island (Manhattan). One of the top Upper East Side attractions, the island park features an approximately four-mile scenic loop around the perimeter, though you can also venture inland to extend your hike.
- Prospect Park (Brooklyn). This park has the same architects as Central Park. The Ravine is particularly noteworthy for some stunning urban hiking in NYC.
- Highland Park (Queens). Here you can walk around a lovely reservoir and enjoy beautiful views of the Ridgewood Reservoir, the Rockaways, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Q: Are there hiking trails in New York state that are accessible by train from NYC?
Hikers based in or visiting New York City will be happy to know that there are loads of hiking trails accessible via public transportation.
First of all, you can catch a Metro-North train from Grand Central Terminal or Harlem-125th St Station to head north along the Hudson River.
This scenic train ride connects you with popular hiking destinations like the Catskills, the Hudson Valley, and Dutchess County.
Personally, my favorite Metro-North stop to get off at when I want numerous hiking options is Cold Spring, about 75-90 minutes from NYC by train.
From the Cold Spring train stop, you'll be directed by signs to the various trails that can be reached on foot.
Not only that, but the village is also home to some of the most romantic hotels in NY state!
Additionally, the Long Island Railroad can help you explore the hiking trails of Long Island.
While a bit far out, I suggest catching a train out of Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan to the end of Long Island and getting off at Montauk to do the Seal Halout Hike.
As the name states, from November to April you can actually see seals along the shoreline!
By the way, most of the above-mentioned hikes are well-populated and great for hiking alone, too.
Q: Are there hiking trails in other neighboring states that are accessible by train from NYC?
Another option for hiking from New York City is the neighboring state of New Jersey, which is accessible via New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.
New Jersey has some incredible hikes.
One of the best stops to get off at in New Jersey is Mahwah.
Not only is this where New Jersey's Trail Conference Headquarters and the Campgaw Mountain Reservation are, but it's also a short Uber ride to one of my all-time favorite places to hike:
The Norvin Green State Forest, home to 5,416 acres of natural beauty and trails.
Keep in mind, this is just one of many hikes from NYC in New Jersey!
What are your favorite places for hiking in New York?
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