From the parking area, walk back along the park access road to the park entrance. Here, to the left, you will see three white blazes on a utility pole. These blazes mark the start of the Upper Nyack Trail, which is your route for the first part of the hike. Follow the white blazes, which turn right onto Larchdale Road. As you walk down this quiet street, you will see the cliffs of Hook Mountain to your right. At the end of Larchdale, turn left onto Midland Avenue. In 300 feet, you will observe a double white blaze painted on a rock. Turn right, and follow the white trail as it winds through second-growth woodlands, with houses visible to the left, and then bears right and climbs to a junction with the aqua-blazed Long Path.
Turn right onto the Long Path, which follows the route of an old road. Built in the 1870s, this road was planned to continue to the top of Hook Mountain, but it never was completed. Route 9W, which the old road briefly parallels, is visible through the trees above on the left. Soon, the old road curves away from Route 9W, and the trail soon narrows to a footpath, with views of the river to the right. The trail then bears left and begins to climb rather steeply, then more moderately. As you get a little higher, views open up over Upper Nyack, the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Just beyond, after curving to the left, the trail turns sharply right (avoid the unmarked path leading straight ahead) and climbs a steep, rocky slope, soon reaching the summit of Hook Mountain, with outstanding views over the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. Rockland Lake may be seen to the north, with the hills of Harriman State Park beyond. On a clear day, the New York City skyline is visible to the south. You’ll also notice several clumps of prickly pear cactus – the only native American cactus that grows east of the Rocky Mountains. You’ve climbed over 700 feet to reach this point, and you’ll want to take a short break, while enjoying the view.
The trail continues straight ahead, descending from the summit and following the ridge of the mountain, with more views over the river to the east. In another 0.3 mile, at the base of a descent, a yellow-blazed trail leaves to the left. Continue ahead on the Long Path, which now begins to climb again. A short distance ahead, you'll reach several viewpoints to the right of the trail, with Nyack Beach State Park visible directly below. There is a sheer drop of several hundred feet here, so use extreme caution if you approach the cliff edge!
After continuing along the ridge for a few more minutes, the trail turns sharply left and begins a steady descent. Soon, it reaches a switchback in an old road and joins the road as the road curves to the right. This well-graded road is a welcome change of pace from the rather rugged ridgetop trail that you've been following for the last mile or so. The Long Path follows the road as it descends gently along the western side of the ridge, then levels off.
At one point, the river is again visible through the trees on the right. Just beyond, the road bears left and ascends gently. After passing an interesting wide stone wall to the left, the road - which is now partially eroded - begins a steady descent.
Soon, you'll notice a well-defined side trail that leads off to the right. Follow this trail uphill to another viewpoint, with Croton Point visible across the river. Directly below, you can see the remnants of old docks. These docks were once used to transport ice cut from Rockland Lake to New York City.
Return to the main trail and turn right. Almost immediately, the trail curves sharply to the left and descends more steeply on a switchback. The trail soon leaves the old road and continues on a footpath, passing a stone foundation to the left. After descending very steeply over rocks, the trail bears right, skirting old concrete foundations, and reaches paved Landing Hill Road.
Turn right, leaving the Long Path, and follow the paved road downhill. As you near the bottom, you'll see the dramatic cliffs of Hook Mountain to your right. Before the park was created in the early 1900s, this was the site of a quarry. Continue along the road as it passes a stone ranger cabin to the left and becomes a gravel road. A short distance beyond, you'll reach a junction with the Hook Mountain Bike Path, which joins from the left. Paint markings on a rock at the junction indicate that the distance from here to Nyack Beach State Park is 1½ miles.
Continue ahead as the road, now once again paved, descends to the river level, passing the ruins of a small stone building to the right. At the bottom, where the road changes again to gravel, there is a picnic area to the left. The road follows right along the river for the rest of the way back to Nyack Beach State Park, passing overhanging rocks and talus slopes to the right. Along the way, there are more good views of the cliffs. This beautiful, level path is a pleasant way to conclude your hike, although you may have to share the route with bikers and joggers. The path ends at the Nyack Beach State Park parking area, where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 10/10/2002 updated/verified on 10/10/2013
This loop hike climbs to the summit of Hook Mountain on the Long Path, with outstanding views over the Hudson River, and returns via a trail that runs right along the river.
From the parking area, walk back along the park access road to the park entrance. Here, to the left, you will see three white blazes on a utility pole. These blazes mark the start of the Upper Nyack Trail, which is your route for the first part of the hike. Follow the white blazes, which turn right onto Larchdale Road. As you walk down this quiet street, you will see the cliffs of Hook...
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.
Take U.S. Route 9W north to Nyack, New York. Two blocks north of its intersection with N.Y. Route 59 (Main Street), turn right onto High Avenue. Continue for one block and turn left onto North Midland Avenue. After about a mile, continue straight ahead as the main road curves to the left. Follow Midland Avenue through the village of Upper Nyack until the road ends at the entrance to the Marydell Faith and Life Center, then turn right onto Larchdale Road. At the next intersection, turn left onto Broadway and follow it into Nyack Beach State Park (a parking fee is charged on weekends; daily during the summer). Continue ahead to the parking area.
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June 06, 2020
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