About the Appalachian Trail in New York
Overview
88.4 miles*
Despite its proximity to New York City, the trail through the Empire State offers some sweet hiking, particularly through 46,000-acre plus Harriman State Park, the second-largest park in New York. It is ironic that this beautiful place where people go to escape was once earmarked to be the site of a state penitentiary. (As I turned out, the site of the prison was moved to Ossining on the banks of the Hudson River, which spawned the origin of the phrase, “being sent up the river.”)
The Hudson River cleaves the New York AT section almost precisely in half. When you cross the iconic Bear Mountain Bridge that spans the river, you are at the lowest elevation of the entire trail (124′). Nonetheless, the views here are exceptional. Regardless of whether you are hiking south to north or vice versa, soon enough you will be scampering along the ridge tops again.
For a section less than a two-hour drive from Times Square, the trail offers a remarkable sense of woodland solitude, particularly in the spring and fall months when the trail is less crowded.
Selected Highlights of the AT in New York
Bear Mountain Bridge
Bear Mountain Bridge is one of the most dramatic river crossings on the entire Appalachian Trail. It also marks the lowest elevation (124′). I took this photo from Bear Mountain. For the northbounder, the trail ascends Anthony’s Nose at the far end of the bridge.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park is the largest state park in the Empire State (46,000 acres) and was also where the first section of Appalachian Trail in New York was completed (in 1923). There are plenty of hiking trails to be explored in Harriman State Park, and many NYC residents come out to enjoy them.
(Wait, you may ask, what about Adirondack Park and Catskill Park? Aren’t they larger than Harriman State Park? Indeed they are — much larger. But they aren’t state parks. They are managed by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.)
*Based on 2006-2011 data compiled by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Best Section Hikes on the AT in New York
Pawling to Harriman State Park (N to S) - 72.2 miles
This splendid hike through rolling forests includes the walk across the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge (mentioned above) and also the lowest elevation on the entire AT. As far as access goes, you can get to the Pawling end by train! The Appalachian Trail train stop is the only rail stop on the entire AT. Harriman State Park is a popular destination and although the parking lots are spacious, they fill up quickly in peak hiking season.
Harriman State Park, NY to High Point, NJ (N to S) - 48.0 miles
Another beautiful, forested section of New England trail. This is a great section to test drive new gear or fine-tune your hiking regimen. You’ll pass some gorgeous lakes (notably Canopus Lake), walk on the historic 1.5-mile Pochuck Boardwalk (above) and end your trip next to the highest point in New Jersey. Not bad!
Get Ready to Hike the AT
Interested in hiking the AT? You may find Appalachian Odyssey a useful resource. I section-hiked the AT over nearly three decades with a good friend and we learned a lot! Includes profile maps of all 28 section hikes, 80+ color photos and a great feel for what it’s like to hike the various sections.
Interested in the history of the AT? How the trail came into being is the subject of my book, Blazing Ahead.
If you have any questions about trip planning, please contact me at jeff@jeffryanauthor.com. I look forward to hearing from you.