Hike Recommendations

Where should you hike today? Where is a good swimming hole? Are the Mountain Laurel out in Harriman yet?

Try searching our Hike Finder but if you don't find the perfect hike, try asking here.

 

 

nycgarden's picture

Has anyone done this route recently. Is it doable in one day?
srtmaintainer's picture

Where in Bear Mountain are you talking about. The LP is about 42.5 miles to calls Hollow road at the edge of Harriman State Park. If you hiked (Jogged) for 12 hours without stopping at all you would need to average over 3.5 miles per hour. Can you do that? It is not the Catskills but it isn't all easy either. I did hike the entire LP in sections with my son a few years ago. We did Fort Lee to Nyack (23 miles) in 1 day.
nycgarden's picture

That's good to know. I think Nyack sounds about right. Is there a camping spot in Blauvelt State Park or Rockland State Park or anywhere in the range of 12-20 miles? Probably not. My guide book is in the mail. I was looking for a day trip, with train or bus return. A camp night is fine too, to make it to Bear Mountain Bridge, cross over to Metro North on the east side.
mitrich's picture

The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site has been in the NJ State Park system for quite a while. Six Mile is unique among state parks in New Jersey for its foliage and small hardwoods. This growth is the visible result of the "old field succession" about which we learned in high school biology. Six Mile was taken over by The State of New Jersey about 40 years ago, so that part of the land taken out of cultivation has growth of about 40 years, where as most state parks are much older and no longer show this sort of foliage. It is unique and makes Six Mile a worthy peer of Worthington, Stokes, Ringwood, etc. Six Mile is actually maintained by JORBA, the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association. They have done a terrific job in building and maintaining trails. The trails are very good, and sort of intimate. Here is a link to the latest and unofficial map of Six Mile: http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2321&d=1231955131 There is parking off of Rte 27 near the Soccer fields across from Hidden Lakes; also off of Jacques Lane up from Canal Road; and at the old D&R Canal State Park office on Canal Rd near Blackwells Mills Rd. Please come and put your feet to the ground.
jpylka's picture

Just a minor correction: If you're looking for this one on a map this is Not the town of Franklin which is in North Jersey and has some nice trails in the vicinity, but Franklin Township in Central NJ. Alas Franklin is one of those multply used names for townships in the state. Look up Blackwells Mills on your road map and you'll almost be there...
d.honeywell's picture

Hello all! Although an experienced hiker, the Catskill area is new to me. I have some friends coming in and I would like to find a location to hike to for some back country camping. Since we only have three days at our disposal, I was wondering if anybody knew of a good place within a day's hike to camp in proximity to a waterfall. Ideally, I would like to guide my friends to a pretty place with water where we could spend a full day hanging out. One day's hike (with time to set up camp and hide food from bears) back and forth would be fine for us. Any suggestions? Thank you all in advance.
Doug C's picture

Great article online and in print. Good coverage for the Trail Conference. http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/travel/escapes/08njhike.html?scp=1&...
jmb's picture

Hoping to get out to the Gunks this weekend and I've been enjoying perusing the new 2008 mapset. Map 104 is particularly exciting, lots of new land acquisitions & great to see the Long Path restored at Verkeeder Kills Falls and the new proposed routes.

The back of the map mentions that camping is now allowed in the DEC parcel north of Minnewaska's High Point -- has anyone here done this? I'm hoping to park at Berme Road Park in Ellenville and hike in on the Smiley Carriageway, and do day hikes from there. There aren't any "Keep Out"s on the map, but does anyone know any other compications? Thanks in advance, jmb

jmb's picture

Thanks for the tips, both of you. I spoke with Michelle at the Village of Ellenville and was informed there's no regulation against parking overnight at Berme Road Park, but it's "at your own risk." I'll let you know how it goes.
Daniel Chazin's picture

While camping is legal on the entire DEC parcel, as a practical matter, much of the parcel has rather steep terrain, and there are few good places to camp.  Several years ago, I camped with a friend on the very narrow sliver of the DEC land between the stream and the DEC land boundary at the extreme eastern end of the parcel.  Here, the land is flat, and there is a very nice place to camp.

 Also, when we were there a few years ago, signs indicated that overnight parking was not permitted at the Berme Road Park.  We did park there overnight and did not get a ticket, but I wouldn't want to do this again without checking first with the local authorities.

mvg68's picture

Are you talking about Peekamoose field and trail on Peekamoose Rd. (Rte 42)?
jakobfranke's picture

I don't know of anybody who camped at the DEC parcel you are referring to, but camping is allowed on all DEC land, as long as you stay away 150 ft from roads, springs, streams, etc. Minnewaska and Sams Point are not DEC lands, but most of the ridge south of Rte 52 is DEC land. You need officially a permit to hike south of Smiley CW and west of High Point CW, I believe. Have fun, Jakob
hikinglou's picture

Normally when hiking I don't need a guide but was looking to explore the old Sunk Mine in Cold Spring, since it's pretty extensive i'd like to make it home for dinner and was wondering if there was anyone who knew of someone who knows the location to the entrances and would not mind going in for a 3 hour tour? Thanks! Hikinglou
PVPatrick's picture

The mine, which is actually in the town of Putnam Valley, is officially closed with signs posted to keep out. The opening to the mine is easily found but the unmaintained trail used to access the mine from Sunk Mine Road is now closed for wildlife rehabilitation(bobcat dens are nearby I believe). As far as I know, there is only one opening and can be easily located using trail conference map 103 East Hudson Trails. If you need further information, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Walt Daniels's picture

If you find the main deep pit, continue up the hill along the ridge and you will find more. Continuing further you will find some old white blazes and eventually reach the unmarked woods road that runs past the Hamilton mine (on the map) and reaches the blue 3-Lakes Trail.
docmaker's picture

Hello All, Last weekend, after contemplating an overnight trip on the AT from Pawling to Route 17 via public transport, Katie and I decided to rent a car instead and head down to the Pine Barrens in Batsto NJ where the weather reports were much more favorable. We parked at the Batsto Visitor's center at Wharton State Park (about a 2 hr ride from BK) and hiked out 5 miles to the Mullica River Primitive Campground. We set our packs at the site right at the bank of the river and proceeded to hike an additional 5 miles following the mullica north and around a short loop towards the lower valley forge campground and ending back at our campsite where we had left our gear just in time for dinner - (the trails here are all very well marked and you can grab a map at the Batsto center before you take off). http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/wharton.html There was an out house and a water pump at the Mullica River site and although it was a really windy day there were some other backpackers and canoeists that joined us at the campground. There were even some very seasoned campers who were roasting two whole chickens over a fire. Bravo for hiking in with those chickens! Everyone was very quiet and we had an extremely peaceful rest! The next morning we had a hearty breakfast of brown sugar oatmeal and sidled up our packs and headed north along the mullica towards Atsion and then veered off again towards lower valley campground but this time instead of swinging back to the mullica, we took the pink batona trail back south to Batsto. In its entirety the Batona trail is a 50 mile long path and we only did about 7 or 8 miles of it. I would love to do the whole thing sometime, even though its sometimes easy to lose the marker (at some point we missed a turn off but ran into to some mountain bikers who helped us get back on track)...What a great trip - i highly recommend it. Very flat and sandy - like hiking on the beach but with tons of tall pines all around. There is a similar route suggested in the 50 hikes in NJ book... Also, for your general enjoyment - here is a link to a funny silent film that we made while on the trip...have fun in the pines! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx4V6uYavmE Adam PS. This weekend we are planning a trip to Harriman. We've got our maps and we're thinking about a short hike into a shelter on friday evening and then a hike to another shelter for saturday, then hike back to our car on sunday. Anybody know of a big ol' loop that might work for us?
Paul_A's picture

It's hard to recommend a hike not knowing how many miles you want to do each day but here's one that my wife and I have done. Park at the Elk Pen parking area Friday night and hike north on the Appalachian Trail to the Fingerboard Shelter. Next day start out going north on the A.T. to the first road crossing. Go left at the road and pick-up the Long Path north to Turkey Hill Lake. There pick up the trail that goes east toward the Popelopen Gorge. If my memory is right it's blazed red. Take that to the Popelopen Gourge Trail and continue east until you come out near the Bear Mountain traffic circle. Then walk south across the picnic ground and parking field at Bear Mountain State park to where a trail ( 1776?) goes under route 9W. Now follow your map to the West Mountain shelter. The next day take the Appalachian Trail southbound back to the Elk Pen Parking area. This is all from memory so make sure to check your maps before hand.
ciphersankofa's picture

I'm looking for a fantastic trail for me and a companion to hike this Saturday, at most 2 hours away from the Albany area, but ideally closer. We're both beginners. Any suggestions? Thanks so much in advance for any comments.
Georgette Weir's picture

How far do you want to hike? If just a few miles, but with wonderful views, there are some excellent choices in Dutchess County. Poet's Walk is a favorite for many people--an easy walk of just a few miles with views of the Hudson River. Or Stissing Mountain, not very long, but more strenuous--a fire tower at the top that offers great, 360-degree views, is also good-and is in the northern part of the county. John Thacher State Park is closer to you. I've never been there, but hear it's beautiful. You can get more information on these parks elsewhere on this website--Look at the Find Parks feature under Go Hiking. There are also excellent hikes at Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve in the Shawangunks--a little further drive for you, but I think still within 2 hours. A few hikes are described in detail in the Find Hikes feature (you can search by park name). Up in Columbia County, Olana is supposed to offer several miles of easy to moderate walking. Again, not a place I've been to, but one on my list of future destinations. Hope this helps. Let us know where you ended up.
mjfav's picture


Can anyone recommend a good 2 day backpacking trip accessible by bus/train from nyc? Anywhere from 2-8miles per day and either a loop where you can camp anywhere or some place to hike to water, lake/river/waterhole/waterfall, set up camp and hike back after the second night. If fishing is a possibility that would be an extra plus. More secluded than populated is also ideal. Of course ill take any recommendations but if the above helps formulate your response all the better.

@Dan, let me know what you end up doing and if you find a great spot, especially if lakes, big rivers, or camping at summits w/ views are involved.

@Adam, any chance you could post a review of your trip, im super interested??

@NYCHiker, thanks for wonderful tip on your fav spot. Ill definitely look into Harriman, although the camp only at shelter is kind of a damper. Part of the reason to get out of the city is to get away from people. Although hikers are usually the friendliest around :)

Thanks in advance everyone for your suggestions!

Levi