6 Autumn Hiking Adventures Near NYC
Autumn is now in full bloom in the Northeast and it’s time to get your hiking micro-adventures on. Here are some of the best hikes that are day trippable from NYC. All of these hikes are Grown Ocean tested and approved.
6. Stairway to Heaven — Vernon, NJ
Getting to the top of this 3.6 mile loop is a quick, steep climb, but the sweeping views are well worth the effort. From the top, hikers are treated to views of the Kittatinny Mountains, the Black Dirt region of New York, the High Point Monument and on a clear day, even the Catskill Mountains.
GO tip: Some of New York’s best apple picking and wineries are located in nearby Warwick, just over the NJ border.
5. The Blackhead Range — Catskill Mountains
This 9.4 mike hike over three of the five tallest mountains in the Catskills is one of the best and most challenging hikes south of the Adirondacks. For those adventurers up to the challenge, the Blackhead Range is typically done in a single day trip and covers almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Don’t forget your camera because the views from Blackhead and Black Dome mountains are unforgettable.
GO Tip: Pack a lunch and stop to rest in the valley between Blackhead and Black Dome. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the Catskills, especially in the fall.
4. Lake Minewaska — Kerhonskon, NY
Sky lakes, waterfalls, expanses of pine barrens, vast networks of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, world class climbing — the potential for adventure in Minnewaska is endless. All of this exists within the 22,000 acre Minnewaska State Park preserve that is one of the best in the NY Parks System. Get there early and plan for a full day of adventures.
GO Tip: Return in the winter when the crowds are smaller, the park is snow covered and the waterfalls are frozen over.
3. Mount Tammany — Knowlton, NJ
Mount Tammany is the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. While the trails to the summit are not all that challenging, the views of the Delaware River are spectacular. Black bears are a common site on the mountain, especially in the fall.
GO Tip: Once at the summit, take the long trail along the plateau to Sunfish Pond, a 258 acre glacial lake. It’s a great spot to rest and have some lunch. Then take the Dunfield Creek trail back to the trailhead to see the other side of the mountain.
2. Devil’s Path — Catskill Mountains
The mother of all hikes in the Northeast. This trail, covering 25 miles of terrain and an elevation gain of over 9,000 feet., hits the summits of 6 Catskill High Peaks: Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Hunter and West Kill. Considered the toughest hike in the Northeast, and arguably the lower 48, hikers boast major bragging rights in adventure circles for completing this epic hike.
GO Tip: Many hikers will break this up into a two day trip, spending the night at Devil’s Tombstone Campground. Note that reservations are needed at the campsite.
1. Breakneck Ridge — Cold Spring, NY
No Northeast hiking list is complete without the fabled Breakneck Ridge. It’s a thrilling and challenging scramble to the summit at 1,260 feet, passing several false summits that offer some of the best views in the Hudson Valley. This hike is popular among adventurers in NYC due to the ease of access. There is a Metro North train stop directly at the trailhead.
GO Tip: Breakneck sits between the towns of Cold Spring and Beacon, NY. Both towns are worth stopping in for a cold beer and some grub following the hike and each are accessible by train.
Now if only there was an app where you could create a list and start planning all of your outdoor adventures.
