Mongaup Valley, New York

This loop hike form the Notch Trail northern trailhead on Route 9D.  There is enough parking at this trailhead for about 5-6 cars.  The Notch Trail is identified with blue trail markers.  It is well maintained and plenty of markers to guide your way.  This is important because there are m...

Trail is currently closed. Get updates at parks.ny.gov.  Sugarloaf Mountain is part of the Hudson Highlands State Park, along with Breakneck Ridge, Bull Hill, and Mt Beacon. Though the views are just as impressive as its sister trails, it is never as crowded and it's one of my favorite spots in ...

Mount Beacon is a very popular trail along the Hudson River, and for good reason. It offers a good workout, fantastic views for both sunrise and sunset (and of course the time in between), a recently rebuilt fire tower, and all with incredibly easy access right on the edge of a lively town. The ...

Starting in the quaint town of Beacon there are a couple of options for hikes of varying difficulty. From the station the walk is about 1.5 miles to the trail heads, alternatively if you choose to stay the night at Malouf's Mountain Sunset Campground you can arrange for the host to meet you, take...

There are some great view points along this route.  Start from the Mount Beacon Park trailhead parking area.  This leads to the Casino Trail (red markers).  The trail climbs steeply to some old ruins of a casino.  Most of what remains is only the brick structure housing the mechanics for a trolle...

The Breakneck Ridge to Sugar Loaf Loop gives rise to various bypasses that offer hikers moderate to advanced terrain and multiple rock scrambles. The loop entails a total elevation gain of 1,670 feet and a total distance of 5.5 miles. The start of the trail begins at the (white blazes) at the no...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...

This is a difficult loop hike that has several different starting points.  I chose to start at the Washburn Trail Head, which is the lowest starting point you can select.  Nearly on the Hudson River, the trail ascends immediately along a well maintained road designated by white disc markers.  Aft...

This loop is a great option to avoid crowds on the west side of the Washburn trail.  Start at the same trailhead for the Washburn Trail.  The Cornish Trail is on the left and there is an obvious sign at the trail split a few feet from the parking area.  The Cornish Trail is an old road from about...

Fishkill Ridge is a strenuous but rewarding hike, and one of the less known areas in the Hudson Valley. The parking area is at the very end of Sunnyside Road in Beacon, along with the information board at the trailhead. The red trail leaves the lot and will take you up to the first peak on the ri...

On my way to the drive-in, I saw a sign for Ringwood Manor estate and wanted to adventure around. The parking is easy and the property was beautiful!As we walked through the estate, we found:a quaint tree foresta small cemetery with headstones hundreds of years olda river with a small waterfall ...

Begin by parking at the end of Mink Road in Elka Park (GPS:N42 08.593, W74 09.479). It will be a .7 mile hike to camp. Follow the rocky woods road to the junction where there is a SPRING sign. Continuing straight will take you to the water source. If you do not need water, turn left when you see ...

The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...

Popolopen Torne is a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, a surprisingly unknown trail with a beautiful payoff and a far deeper meaning. A short hike to the top puts you at the foot of a memorial to those who have served their country, a pile of painted rocks carried up by those who want to pay their...

The Eastern half of Devil's Path has four major summits: Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf and Plateau. Each summit is a straight climb up and down, then back up to as much as 3,900 ft. There are some sparse sections of level ground, but most is a steep descent uphill or steep slide downhill. Your ...

Devil's Path is roughly more than 24 miles long, althought it feels like an eternity of milage. Going thru the summits of Indian head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Hunter, and Westkill Mountains.Its brutal. Its painful, Its unique. Be prepared for anything and everything. You will encounter wild lif...