Recently Added Hikes
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (4.9-mile loop with rolling climbs (with shorter options available))
Distance: 4.9 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 hours (or 1.5 hours for the up/back to Cactus Ledge)
Total ascent: 948 ft
Max elevation: 800 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a pleasant, moderately difficult hike to see a wide variety of interesting stuff, including views of the NYC skyline, a nice waterfall, and a wild cactus grove that exists in northern New Jersey for some reason.
Bushkill Falls
Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (moderately strenuous loop with significant climbs and a zillion stairs)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! $15 per hiker weekdays, $18 per hiker weekends (kids/senior rates cheaper)
Highlights: boardwalks, gift shop, several opportunities to part with your money, viewing platforms, waterfall
Distance: 3.0 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 2.5 hours
Total ascent: 709 ft
Max elevation: 874 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You enjoy gorgeous waterfalls, boardwalks, viewing platforms, stairs, and well-kept trails. Also, you don’t mind exiting nature through the gift shop.
Giant Stairs (Palisades)
Scenery:
Difficulty: 10 out of 10 (long hike with very steep climbs and a one-mile section of boulder scrambling)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! New as of 2023, it’s now metered parking here. $1.5/hr weekdays; $2.50/hr weekends. Money well spent. (First hour is free; Wednesdays are free.)
Distance: 5.2 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 hours
Total ascent: 1,269 ft
Max elevation: 542 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to scramble over a mile-long stretch of boulders while taking in some gorgeous Hudson River views. Also, you LOVE climbing stairs.
Breakneck Ridge: Short Loop
Scenery:
Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (short, ridiculously steep climb)
Distance: 1.5 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours
Total ascent: 646 ft
Max elevation: 584 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take in some of the best views in the Hudson Valley, and you’re not afraid of doing some serious rock scrambling to see them. (Also, you want to bail out less than halfway up the mountain.)
Castle Craig
Scenery:
Difficulty: 5 out of 10 (steady climb with one quite steep, rocky section)
Distance: 3.6 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 2 Hours
Total ascent: 802 ft
Max elevation: 951 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to storm a castle to plunder some of the best views in the area.
Harriman State Park: Jackie Jones Fire Tower
Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (short-ish hike with mostly gentle inclines)
Distance: 2.8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 553 ft
Max elevation: 1,330 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a short hike to a fire tower with awesome views of the New York City skyline (with lots of other non-skyline-related beauty, too).
Balsam Lake Mountain
Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (long hike with steady, gentle inclines)
Distance: 6.0 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 Hours
Total ascent: 1,214 ft
Max elevation: 3,723 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You enjoy beautiful trails and fire towers with gigantic views. Who doesn’t like those things?
Red Mountain
Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (relatively easy stroll with some hill climbs and grassy stretches)
Highlights: cows, giant old trees that might be ents, meadows, that new preserve smell, wonderful views
Distance: 2.7 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours
Total ascent: 574 ft
Max elevation: 1,223 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a pleasant stroll on some great new trails, see some crazy big trees, and scope out some beautiful views across picturesque meadows. (This place really chews through the adjectives.)
Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve
Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (short climb up a steep hill)
Distance: 2.3 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 528 ft
Max elevation: 837 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a quick hike to gobble up some pleasant views, and possibly get a glimpse of the NYC skyline.
Monument Mountain
Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (Short-ish climb with some very steep spots)
Fees: Cheapskate alert! It costs $6 to park here (as of this update in 2023, up from $5 previously), payable at an electronic parking meter. Money very well spent.
Distance: 3.5 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 2.5 hours
Total ascent: 1,167 ft
Max elevation: 1,613 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to traverse a steep loop to visit some amazing views and clifftop perches. (Also, you have a deep, abiding respect for gravity, and will be careful along the clifftops.)
Mt. Tammany
Scenery:
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 (Steep, rocky climb with rocks. And more rocks. Also, rocks.)
Distance: 4.0 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 hours
Total ascent: 1,639 ft
Max elevation: 1,540 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to scrabble up a beast of a mountain to see some gorgeous views.
Tremper Mountain
Scenery:
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 (long slog up a big fat mountain)
Distance: 6.5 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 4 Hours
Total ascent: 2,192 ft
Max elevation: 2,766 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to huff and puff up a mountain to see some righteous views from one of the five Catskill fire towers.