Breathtaking hiking spots outside of New York City

From the fresh air, colorful foliage, and breathtaking mountain views to the relaxing and rewarding sensation: hiking is one of my favorite activities. Living in the city means limited access to greenery and open space. Of course, there are parks and walking trails in NYC that are underrated such as Shore Road Parkway/Caesar's Bay, Central Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and High Rock. But nothing compares to the wonder of seeing the open sky and mountains that some hikes have to offer. Thankfully, some of the best hikes in New York are a train or drive away from the city center. In no particularly ranking or preference, I'll be sharing my experience with each of these spots.

Hudson Highlands State Park, Cold Springs NY

Cold Springs was my very first New York hike outside of the city, and it was life-changing. At the time, I was feeling burnt out from midterms, my academics, and my personal life. My mental health was on a rollercoaster that my usual hobbies of running, biking, writing, or reading couldn't fix. I needed to find a new thing.

I've been to Cold Springs to hike the Bull Hill Loop on two separate occasions: the first time by train in late October and the second time by car in mid-November. For more details about my trips to Cold Springs, check out my blog about my day in Cold Spring!

From where I live, Cold Springs is approximately a 1.5-hour-long commute by train or car. The train ride to Cold Springs is so scenic and an experience that is worth the time and price. My friends and I took the Grand Central for the Hudson Line 839 towards Poughkeepsie, got off at Cold Springs Station, and walked a couple of blocks from the station to Hudson Highlands State Park. We purchased round-trip tickets at the Grand Central station for 30$.

Hudson Highlands State Park Trail Map South map by New York State Parks.

The trail I did both times was the Bull Hill Loop. Stretching approximately 4.3 miles long, it’s considered moderately challenging by several hiking websites. Because it’s a popular trail for experienced and beginner hikers, it becomes extremely crowded during September-November when the foliage is vibrant and breathtaking. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to explore the other trails including Breakneck Ridge or Anthony’s Nose. Because the trail is adjacent to others, the paths can converge and separate abruptly so be sure to look out for trail markers to stay on the path!

Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine NJ

Bear Mountain State Park, NY