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The Long Path (aqua blaze) begins in Fort Lee at the historical park, on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge. For the first twelve miles to the New York State line, it follows along the Palisades through lands of the Palisades Interstate Park. There are many spectacular views of the Hudson River and New York City along the way.

After crossing into New York, the Long Path turns away from the Hudson River between Piermont and Upper Nyack, but then continues to follow the Palisades Escarpment to its end in Mt. Ivy. Much of the route is through State Parks but the trail also serves as a link to smaller county and town parks. There is some road walking through the towns of Piermont and Nyack. There are extensive views of the lower Hudson River valley along the way, with the most dramatic views on Hook Mountain and High Tor.

Leaving the Palisades, the Long Path enters Harriman State Park, passing through the park in a northwesterly direction. The park is criss-crossed with an abundance of trails, and there are many opportunities for circular hikes.

North of Harriman, the trail descends into Orange County in only two sections, Schunemunk Mountain and Highland Lakes State Park. Schunemunk is the dramatic long ridge that is the westernmost mountain near the Hudson in this vicinity. It is made up of conglomerate rock and has spectacular views both east to the Hudson River and north to the Shawangunks and the Catskills.

North of Schunemunk, the trail follows a six-mile section of the abandoned New York, Ontario and Western Railroad right-of-way. The right-of-way has reverted to private landowners, and there is little evidence of the railroad anymore.

Beyond Orange County, the Long Path climbs the Shawangunk Ridge near Wurtsboro. During the next several miles vistas range from High Point in New Jersey all the way to the Catskills Mountains.  The northern Shawangunks are characterized by beautiful white cliffs and spectacular waterfalls, and are one of the gems of the eastern United States. The Long Path passes Mud Pond and Lake Awosting, mountaintop lakes that are rimmed with white cliffs. The trail climbs up and over many of the cliffs and passes two waterfalls, Verkeerder Kill and Rainbow Falls.

Beyond the Shawangunks, the Long Path crosses the Rondout Valley before it enters the Catskill Park. The Long Path continues through the Catskill Park for 95 miles and climbs nine of the major peaks including Slide Mountain, the highest in the Catskills. Several lean-tos are located along the trail. There are a few roadwalking sections, but these are generally through undeveloped areas.

Leaving the Catskill Park, the trail passes over a series of 2900 foot peaks on private property, then follows Huntersfield Ridge to Gilboa, passing through State Reforestation Areas.

North of Gilboa, the trail follows the western ridge of the beautiful Schoharie Valley. The trail passes through Mine Kill Falls State Park and the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center of the New York State Power Authority, then heads west then north through another series of reforestation areas. East of Patria, the Long Path descends to the Schoharie Valley crossing Vroomansland then ascends Vroman's Nose, the promontory that rises 600 feet above the Schoharie Valley, giving one a spectacular view. From Vroman's Nose, the Long Path crosses the Schoharie Valley through the Village of Middleburgh, then ascends the cliffs, where there are views back to Vroman's Nose.

Past the cliffs, the trail leaves the Schoharie Valley as it turns east, crossing State Forests to reach Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area in Albany County. In Partridge Run, the Long Path follows mostly cross-country ski trails, past lakes and streams with occasional views back to the Catskills.

East of Partridge Run, the Long Path crosses private property then ascends Cole Hill State Forest as it continues east across farmland to the Helderberg Escarpment. The soft limestone of the Helderbergs has caused many caves, sinkholes and underground streams to be formed. The Long Path turns north and follows the escarpment to John Boyd Thacher State Park where there are many dramatic views of the Hudson Valley and the Taconics. Here, the Long Path uses the historic Indian Ladder Trail which once led to the trading post at Albany.

Thacher Park is the current official northern terminus of the Long Path. The off trail terminus is the stretch from the High Point viewing point to Old Stage Road. From there it is essentially on country roads to the Saratoga County line except for a small off trail venture north of the Mohawk River. Most of the roads are remote with many lovely views.  Work is continuing to extend the trail north to the Mohawk River and eventually to the Adirondacks.