If you parked in the station parking lot, cross the tracks on the pedestrian footbridge. (If you took the train from Grand Central, you will have arrived on the northbound platform, and there is no need to cross the tracks.)
From the south end of the northbound platform, follow a wide path that heads south and then east, entering the Foundry Cove Historic Site. This path follows the route of a rail spur that once served the foundry after which the cove is named. This foundry, which operated here in the 1800s, produced munitions used in the Civil War. After passing a gate on the left, bear left, leaving the wide path, and continue on a blue-blazed trail that leads through the ruins of the foundry.
When you reach a T-junction just below a road, bear left and climb to Chestnut Street. Cross the street and continue ahead on Paulding Avenue . Make the first right onto Pine Street and continue for three blocks to Pearl Street. Turn left onto Pearl Street, cross Main Street, and continue to Secor Street, where Pearl Street ends. Proceed ahead through an unpaved parking area to a kiosk, where the yellow-blazed Undercliff Trail begins.
Follow the yellow blazes of the Undercliff Trail, which bears left, then bears right to cross a small stream on rocks. The trail makes several more turns and soon crosses a wide stream on rocks (this crossing may be a little difficult when the water is high). A short distance after the stream crossing, the green-blazed Nelsonville Trail joins from the right. The two trails run jointly for about 500 feet. Be careful to follow the yellow-blazed Undercliff Trail as it turns left and leaves the route of the Nelsonville Trail.
The Undercliff Trail soon bears right at a fork and begins a rather steep climb up Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus). (In the next mile, the trail will gain about 750 feet in elevation.) About a mile from its start, the trail reaches a viewpoint to the south and east over the Catskill Aqueduct and the Hudson River. This is a good spot to take a break. The trail now descends briefly and continues along the side of the hill, crossing several streams. It bears right, climbs past an attractive cascade, and finally reaches an outstanding viewpoint over the Hudson River, with the Village of Cold Spring visible below to the left and Constitution Marsh beyond.
Continue ahead on the Undercliff Trail, which bears right and soon crosses the white-blazed Washburn Trail. The Undercliff Trail now begins an undulating traverse of the western shoulder of Bull Hill, passing several more viewpoints over the Hudson River. Upon reaching the far end of the shoulder, the trail emerges on a rock outcrop with a sweeping view to the north. Breakneck Ridge is the ragged ridge to the north, and Storm King - with its cut for the highway - is directly across the river.
The Undercliff Trail now turns sharply right and begins to head in the northeast direction. After crossing a stream, it descends on switchbacks to reach the stone foundations of a woods road that was never completed. The trail turns right and proceeds along the road, which soon acquires a dirt-and-gravel surface, crossing a stream on a one-log bridge. After bending to the left, the trail resumes its steady descent, soon beginning to parallel a stream.
About four miles from the start of the hike, the Undercliff Trail turns right, crosses the stream, and reaches a wide woods road - the route of the blue-blazed Cornish Trail. Here, you should bear left and follow both yellow and blue blazes along the woods road. After passing a small abandoned building to the right, you'll reach a fork. Bear left here to continue along the blue-blazed Cornish Trail, which follows an old road through the former estate of Edward G. Cornish, chairman of the board of the National Lead Company.
After passing a large cement-and-rock cistern on the right, the road becomes paved. In another half a mile, the stone ruins of the Cornish mansion are visible below to the right. The old road descends steadily to Route 9D. After paralleling the road for about half a mile, the Cornish Trail ends at a parking area opposite Little Stony Point. Turn left and follow Route 9D for about 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Fair Street , which branches off to the right. Continue along Fair Street to its end at Main Street, then turn right on Main Street, follow it down to the railroad, turn left and return to the station parking lot where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 06/05/2003 updated/verified on 05/01/2023
This loop hike climbs to several outstanding viewpoints over the Hudson River, Cold Spring and Storm King Mountain.
If you parked in the station parking lot, cross the tracks on the pedestrian footbridge. (If you took the train from Grand Central, you will have arrived on the northbound platform, and there is no need to cross the tracks.)
From the south end of the northbound platform, follow a wide path that heads south and then east, entering the Foundry Cove Historic Site. This path follows the...
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. Route 9D for about 8.5 miles to a junction with N.Y. Route 301 in Cold Spring. Turn left onto Main Street and follow it downhill towards the Hudson River. Near the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Lunn Terrace and follow it over the railroad tracks. Turn left onto Market Street and park in the parking lot for the Cold Spring railroad station (parking is free on weekends and holidays).
Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Cold Spring station.
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December 09, 2023
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