Get DirectionsFrom the parking area, walk back along the entrance road until you reach a gravel road on the right blocked off with a gate. Turn right and follow this road, the route of the Anthony Wayne Trail (marked with 2"x3" white blazes), the temporary route of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) (marked with 2"x6" white blazes), and the route of the Horn Hill Bike Trail (marked with blue-on-white Bike Trail...
Hike Description:
From the parking area, walk back along the entrance road until you reach a gravel road on the right blocked off with a gate. Turn right and follow this road, the route of the Anthony Wayne Trail (marked with 2"x3" white blazes), the temporary route of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) (marked with 2"x6" white blazes), and the route of the Horn Hill Bike Trail (marked with blue-on-white Bike Trail markers). However, you may not see any blazes for some distance, as the blazing of this trail section is very sparse. Bear right at the next fork and continue uphill, proceeding ahead across a four-way intersection.
When you reach a T-intersection, turn left, then almost immediately turn right onto the Fawn Trail, marked with red-“F”-on-white blazes. The Fawn Trail climbs, using switchbacks and rock steps for part of the way, to reach a junction with the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail.
Turn left onto the Timp-Torne Trail, which climbs to a rock ledge, with Bear Mountain visible through the trees on the right. The trail now descends, with more views of Bear Mountain (and the Perkins Memorial Tower on its summit) on the way down. You’ll pass one end of the white-blazed Anthony Wayne Trail on the left, but you should continue ahead, following the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail, which crosses a wet area on stepping stones.
At the base of the descent, continue ahead as the 1777W Trail (red 1777W on white) comes in from the right and joins the Timp-Torne Trail. The joint trails cross a highway ramp, then turn left to cross the Palisades Interstate Parkway on a bridge that carries the Seven Lakes Drive over the Parkway.
At the west side of the bridge, turn right and head north on paved Queensboro Road, which crosses over a stream and passes
the dam of Queensboro Lake and a water treatment facility on the left. Follow the blue and 1777W blazes as they continue ahead on a gravel road, but a short distance beyond, just before reaching a park pistol range, they turn right and re-enter the woods on a footpath.
The joint trails descend slightly to reach the gravel Queensboro Road. Here, the Timp-Torne and 1777W Trails turn right, but you should cross the road and continue straight ahead, now following the Popolopen Gorge (red square on white) and 1779 (blue 1779 on white) trails. The Popolopen Gorge/1779 Trails cross a stream on rocks and continue ahead on a grassy woods road.
You’ll soon reach the northern tip of Queensboro Lake. The trail (now a footpath) curves inland but soon returns to the lake shore once more, then again heads inland. After crossing another stream on rocks and climbing a little, you’ll come to a fork in the trail. Here, the 1779 Trail goes off to the left, but you should bear right, following the red-square-on-white blazes of the Popolopen Gorge Trail.
The trail now climbs rather steeply, then descends to Summer Hill Road (a gravel road 
built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933), with beautiful cascades in the stream just beyond. It turns left on the road to cross the stream, then immediately turns right and climbs past the dam of Turkey Hill Lake to emerge onto the lake shore. The trail follows the shore of Turkey Hill Lake for about half a mile, affording panoramic views over the lake, as well as Turkey Hill (across the lake to the north) and Long Mountain (to the west). About halfway along the lake, there are views of Bear Mountain (with the Perkins Memorial Tower on its summit) to the east. This is the most beautiful part of the hike, and you should take your time to enjoy the views.
Near the southwest corner of the lake, you’ll reach an intersection with the white-blazed Anthony Wayne Trail, which begins on the left. Turn left and follow this trail, which climbs to the crest of a rise on a grassy woods road and then descends. At the base of the descent, the trail turns right, leaving the road. In 200 feet, it turns right onto another woods road. Just ahead, the trail turns left again, descends to cross a brook on rocks, and reaches a clearing with high grass.
Turn left here, leaving the marked trail, and emerge onto an old paved road (the former route of what is now Route 6), passing between a salt dome on the left and an abandoned stone building on the right. Continue ahead on the paved road for about 1,000 feet. When you reach a locked gate on the right, bear left and continue to follow the paved road.
In another 500 feet, as the paved road curves to the left, turn right onto a footpath marked with the blazes of the 1779 Trail and descend to Route 6. Follow the 1779 Trail as it crosses Route 6 (use care, as this is a very heavily trafficked road), turns left, and follows the grassy shoulder of the road to the Long Mountain Traffic Circle. Here, the 1779 Trail bears right, then turns right onto the Seven Lakes Drive.
In 500 feet, at a sign for the Seven Lakes Drive, follow the 1779 Trail as it turns left, crosses the road, and climbs into the woods on a footpath. Soon, you’ll reach a junction with the Anthony Wayne Trail and the temporary route of the A.T.
Turn left at this junction, leaving the 1779 Trail, and follow the joint route of the Anthony Wayne Trail (2"x3" white blazes) and the A.T. (2"x6" white blazes). The trails climb to the shoulder of a hill, then descend to a ramp of Exit 17 of the Parkway. Turn left onto the ramp, cross the Parkway on an overpass, and continue to the parking area where the hike began.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 11/24/2010 updated/verified on 09/16/2022
This loop hike follows two historic trails and runs along the shore of Queensboro Lake and Turkey Hill Lake.
41.297598, -74.027274
Orange Co., NY
5 mi
3.5 hrs
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Hike Checklist:
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.
The Essentials
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.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway to Exit 17 (Anthony Wayne Recreation Area) and park in the large parking area just to the right of the entrance kiosk.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Give $10 to support trails.
October 02, 2022
08:30 am
Trip Reports
rate experience September 21, 2022
Hike has been rerouted
The hike has been rerouted to avoid the section of the Anthony Wayne Trail between Route 6 and the Seven Lakes Drive, which is obscured by overgrown vegetation.
August 01, 2017
Anthony Wayne Trail very overgrown
I did a variation of this hike on July 30, 2017. The section of the Anthony Wayne Trail between Route 6 (Long Mountain Parkway) and Seven Lakes Drive is very overgrown. In some sections, the weeds were waist high, and if not for the blazes on the trees, it would have been impossible to follow the trail. As the Anthony Wayne Trail nears Seven Lakes Drive, the weeds were over my head and I am 6 feet tall. Other than that, a nice hike.
June 26, 2016
Great up to Route 9 then becomes dangerous
<p>On 6/26/2016, I attempted this loop hike with my wife. It was fun and great...until Route 6. As user 'stretchfab' had mentioned in the previous comment, near the end of the hike at Route 6, we could not find the continuation of white-blazed AW Trail. It was very dangerous to cross Route 6 with cars traveling at 40+ MPH in both directions. We tried to find the opportunity to cross but it was near impossible (at around 1200 hours).</p>
<p>We had to walk back to the AW Rec Parking Area via Route 6, passed the roundabout (dangerous but it had to be done for us to go home), walked alongside the Palisades Interstate Pkwy and finally to Exit 17 AW Recreation Area where we parked our car.</p>
<p><strong>Just a warning.</strong></p>