If you want to escape from the hubbub of New York City for a day or two, want to enjoy some fresh air and spend some time in nature, pick up your hiking gear and get ready for an adventurous weekend.
New York City is surrounded by many national parks that offer thousands of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, running trails, camping, and many other outdoor activities.
There are many hiking trails near NYC, but we have listed some of our favorites and must-do hiking trails that aren't too far away from the city.
1. Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus)
This trail is located just 64.7 miles away from NYC, and it will take 1.5 hours drive to reach there.
This trail is a mile away from the famous Breakneck Ridge, but it is our favorite because it is less crowded and gives a spectacular view of a waterfall and Hudson valley.
This trail is rated as moderate to hard, and the best time to take this trail hiking is from April to October. You can take a 15-minute walk to grab some refreshments in the town of Cold Spring and visit some antique shops there.
2. Blue Mountain Reservation Loop
This is another daring trail with serene views that is 62.2 miles away from NYC and will take around an hour or so to reach it.
This trail begins from the Briarcliff Peekskill path that is near an active shooting range. On your way, you will have a spectacular view of the Hudson River and will pass along a pond.
You can take a train home from the Peekskill but do not forget to treat yourself to a refreshing glass of beer from the Peekskill Brewery.
3. Breakneck Ridge
If you are a height lover and want to excel all your body strength by climbing some vertical rocks, then Breakneck Ridge is a thing for you.
The 3.2 miles hiking trail is 60 miles from NYC and will take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to reach there.
The Breakneck Ridge trail offers a picturesque view of the Hudson Valley and surrounding woods. You will pass Sugarloaf Mountain on decent, and you can also enjoy a fantastic sunset over the Hudson River.
4. Stairway to Heaven Trail
If you had enough of Hudson Valley and want to explore new places, you must try Stairway to Heaven trail.
This trail is located northwest of Wawayanda State Park, 50 miles from the city. There is so much to see while hiking here, including wildflowers, marshland, waterfall, suspension bridge, and meadows.
If you are in the mood for an extensive thigh workout, you can take the steep 7.3-mile Stairway to Heaven trail; otherwise, you can opt for a shorter 2.5-mile course.
5. Storm King Mountain
There are different trail loops, including Stillman, ButterHill, and BlueBird in the Storm King State Park; some are steep, and some are not, so makes it a perfect choice for families with kids.
On your way up, you witness a 360-degree view of Hudson Valley and Catskill and have to climb steep slabs made of billions of years old granite, and do not forget to stop by the open-air Museum, Storm King Art Center.
Which one of these hikes would you like to try next? Let us know in the comments below.
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