National GeographicJul 10
6 spectacular hikes near New York City—and you can reach them by train
The extensive network of the Big Apple’s commuter trains can whisk you from the city to a pristine nature getaway within two hours, no driving required.
30 things in this story
- Metro-NorthParkstate of New York.
- Port JeffersonNeighborhoodquaint, walkable waterfront village with restaurants
- Storm King State ParkSightboasts trails of varying difficulty and length
- Hudson RiverSightIt originates in the Adirondack Mountains at Henderson Lake in the town of Newcomb, and flows south to New York Bay, a…
- Catskill MountainsSightAs a cultural and geographic region, the Catskills are generally defined as those areas close to or within the borders…
- Belmont Lake State ParkSightoffers easy wooded hiking trails
- Argyle LakeSightwelcomes visitors with historic village charm
- Highland TrailTrailfive miles of rugged, scenic terrain
- Crossover TrailTrailruns along the river with water views
- Cornwall-on-HudsonNeighborhoodcharming riverfront village
- Belmont LakeSightThis 463-acre park is not only the headquarters for all Long Island state parks, but it offers picnic areas, multi-use…
- Cold Spring Harbor State ParkTrailfeatures the Long Island Greenbelt Trail
- Rockefeller State Park PreserveTrailboasts 55 miles of carriage road trails
- Thirteen Bridges LoopTrailtwo-mile trek along a brook
- Old Sleepy Hollow Road TrailTrailfive-mile hike from the preserve's main entrance
- Rockwood HallSightoverlooks the Hudson River
- Hulda's NightPlacewalking ghost tour in the fall
- Hudson Highlands State Park PreserveTrailstretches for 6,000 acres
- Camp Smith TrailTrailmoderate-to-strenuous trek, four to six miles
- Franny Reese State ParkTrailoffers easy hiking and biking trails
- Walkway Loop TrailTrail3.6 miles with thrilling river views
- Yellow TrailTrailpast stone walls and ruins of Cedar Glen Estate
- Cedar Glen EstateSightruins of a 19th-century mansion
- Walkway Over the HudsonSightworld's longest elevated pedestrian bridge
- Long Island RailroadPlace
- Cold Spring HarborSight
- Long Island Greenbelt TrailTrail
- Storm King State PSight
- Carll’s CreekSight
- Huntington Area Rapid TransitPlace