8 Best Hiking Spots near NYC for Scenic Trails

Get ready to go beyond city limits and discover the breathtaking natural beauty near NYC!

Undiscovered nature delights await you in a realm nestled near NYC. The stunning sights of the city give way to a variety of attractive hiking paths that entice nature lovers, offering a great escape from bustling city life. Explore these 8 best hikes near NYC, ranging from tranquil valleys to majestic mountains, providing amazing views. Whether you're seeking a peaceful stroll or a thrilling climb, these hikes have it all, promising both beauty and serenity just outside the city.

Enjoy hiking near NYC at Malouf’s Mountain, where you can enjoy a train ride or go camping in the forest. You can opt from a variety of paths from the base camp, some of which include ancient railway tracks and abandoned casino ruins. Moreover, here you can prepare your own meal or in case you don’t feel like cooking, prepared meals will be provided for you.

Level: Easy.

30 mins

Storm King State Park offers a variety of hiking options near NYC, with trails ranging in difficulty and providing fantastic views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The park's untamed wilderness draws many hikers. Public transit options are available via the Storm King Art Center, which provides convenient bus and train packages to the park. The center itself is a renowned sculpture park, adding an artistic element to your visit​

Level: Moderate.

3 hours.

NYC hiking is made easy by the Appalachian Trail, where you can take a weekend getaway to experience the beautiful hike. You can take a short train ride to reach a section of the trail, from where you may begin a 2,168-mile hike. Hikers of all skill levels can enjoy this trip by setting their own pace and route. Specifically, on Saturday mornings, Steve Brill, who describes himself as a “Wildman,” leads guided foraging excursions on a short stretch of the trail.

Level: Easy.

Varies

After traveling through the Hudson line on Metro-North, you may reach Poughkeepsie in less than 2 hours, from where you can head over to the Franny Reese State Park. Here you may witness the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, the Walkway Over, which is over 212 ft above the river.

Take a moment to explore the landmarks while hiking through a 2.5-mile trail including an old carriage route, a 19th-century mansion giving an old-school vibe, and some breathtaking views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

Level: Easy

2 Hours

The 3.5-mile Camp Smith Trail is one of the best spots for hiking near New York City. This trail will make you work out, the hills aren’t tough to hike though, but they are a bit challenging for some level of fitness. You can take your 4-legged companions along on this hike, due to the relatively easy terrain. To witness breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley, trek up to the Bear Mountain Inn from Peekskill Station, where you can catch up on some shuttles too.

Level: Moderate.

3 hours

Take a lovely hike, where you get a chance to get up close and witness the serenity of the Hudson River. Cross the amazing George Washington Bridge on a bus ride or by walking, giving you access to Fort Lee Historic Park and the hiking trails of Long Path spanning over 356 miles.

Moreover, this hike may be easy or moderately challenging for some, but you can pick your route and pace, while adoring the landmarks on your way such as Greenbook Sanctuary and Rockefeller Lookout, from where you can take the shore trail to coastal picnic sites

Level: Easy- Moderate.

Varies.

To reach the Surprise Lake Loop, take a bus from Port Authority to Greenwood Lake Park, which takes about two hours. The hike, a moderate to challenging 5-mile loop, offers varied terrain and is well worth the effort. Enjoy stunning views of Greenwood Lake and the New York City skyline along the way.

Level: Moderate- Hard.

2-3 hours

Hike through the highest waterfall trail, by taking a 7-mile easy hiking track, which passes by the Verkeerderkill Falls in Shawangunks. Allowing the hikers to maneuver through the narrow passages of Ice Caves. Additionally, you can also enjoy taking in the breathtaking views from Sam’s Point, which is also a great spot to stop by and unwind.

Level: Easy.

4.5 hours.