Road

Mossy Glen/Jenny Lane/Wawarsing Turnpike Loop

One-log footbridge over the Peters Kill on the Blueberry Run Trail - Photo by Daniel Chazin
Foot bridge on the Mossy Glen Trail in Minnewaska. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
A cascade along the Jenny Lane Trail in Minnewaska. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
The Jenny Lane Trail in Minnewaska State Park Preserve as it proceeds over Shawangunk conglomerate slabs through pitch pines. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike follows the cascading Peters Kill and returns via the historic Wawarsing Turnpike Trail.

4 hours
Moderate
5 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Historic: 
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Shawangunk Mountains
NY
Ulster
104 Shawangunk Trails South
02/24/2017
Driving: 

Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 18 (New Paltz). Turn left onto Route 299 and continue through the Village of New Paltz and across a bridge over the Wallkill River. In 5.6 miles (from the bridge), Route 299 ends at a T-intersection with Route 44/55. Turn right onto Route 44/55, which negotiates a hairpin turn and climbs to pass under the Trapps Bridge (a steel overpass). Continue for three miles past Trapps Bridge to the entrance to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, on the left. After passing the entrance booth (a $10 parking fee is charged), continue straight ahead to the Awosting parking area.

From the kiosk at the rear of the parking area, continue past the gate onto the Lower Awosting Carriage Road. Almost immediately, turn left onto the yellow-blazed Mossy Glen Trail, which passes through an attractive forest of hemlock and mountain laurel. In half a mile, the trail approaches the carriage road, then turns left and descends to the Peters Kill, crossing it on a one-log footbridge. 

HOTW Date: 
Fri, 02/24/2017
HOTW Count: 
1

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Complete: 
Yes
New Jersey Boardwalk on the Appalachian Trail - Photo Moe Lemire
Appalachian Trail near Bellevale, NY - Photo Marie-Pierre Castermans
NYNJTC maintained: 
1

A beautiful 162-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail passes through the New York-New Jersey region.

 

Hiking
X-C skiing
Accessible
Dogs on leash
162 miles
Lat/Lon: 
41.244185, -74.287035
Multiple locations /NY/NJ
Orange
US
Cluster/Park: 
Park

The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine. 

An overview map of the trail along its entire length is available from the National Park “Appalachian National Scenic Trail” web page. 

The AT is uniformly marked with a 2" x 6" white-painted, vertical blaze.

For detailed descriptions of hikes along the AT in NY and NJ click the "Choose another experience" button on this web site.  In the search field enter "Appalachian Trail."  The majority of these are loop hikes in conjunction with other trails.  For AT-only hikes click here. The database includes a few AT hikes in nearby sections of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. 

Two of the few wheelchair accessible sections from Georgia to Maine are in this region:

 

Driving:

Parking is available in all the parks listed on this site that host a segment of the AT.   One spot identified on this web page is where the AT crosses NY-17A  near Warwick, NY.  GPS Coordinates: 41.244185, -74.287035.

On the Appalachian Trail Region page look for the link “Parking along the AT.”  It features parking areas organized by state.

Public Transportation:

Hike descriptions that include the AT will indicate if public transportation (train or bus) is available to a particular trailhead. 

The AT crosses the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line at the Appalachian Trail station (just off N.Y. Route 22, between Pawling and Wingdale) -- the only train station located directly at an AT crossing anywhere along the 2,180-mile-long trail!  Limited service is provided at the Appalachian Trail station, with trains stopping there only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (the station, which is little more than a low-level platform, is not wheelchair accessible).  At other times, hikers may board trains at Pawling (to the south) or Harlem Valley-Wingdale (to the north).  Trains run north to Wassaic and south to Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
 

 

 

Fees: 
Some times and places; check with park
Last Update: 
02/26/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin