Appalachian Trail - New York Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Trail Stats: 88.4 Trail Miles, 8 Hiker Shelters
This section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is a continuation of the ridge walking associated with states south of New York, but with the occasional more intense climb. Sweeping vistas are rare, as the trail crosses many roads and snakes around the extended suburbs of New York City.
The main hiking destinations in New York are Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain. The park feels like a place farther north, the rolling hills and old trail make the surrounding civilization and sprawl seem distant, and there are plenty of deer and rattlesnakes. You’ll find an abundance of other animals at the Bear Mountain Zoo, situated just before the Bear Mountain Bridge on the Hudson River. Oddly, the AT actually passes directly through the zoo. It can be a little disarming for thru-hikers to see so many caged animals after spending a couple of months in the woods, but the zoo makes this one of the more interesting sections of the trail.
Aside from Harriman and Bear Mountain, the most notable location in the New York section of the AT is Mombasha High Point, six miles south of New York 17 on the AT. On a clear day you may be able to see the New York City skyline from this rock outcropping, which can give an odd sense of looking into an alternate existence.
Recommended 1- to 2-Day Trip: This 18-mile route is short but highly enjoyable. The destination is Harriman State Park, a scenic area just west of the Hudson River, and only about 30 or 40 miles north of Manhattan. The start of the hike springboards right into the park and the trail rolls over hill after hill before feeding straight into the town of Bear Mountain (though to call it a town is a bit of a stretch), which is perched beside the river. Jack Kerouac began his memorable journey that later spawned On the Road at Bear Mountain. Directions: Take New York 17 near Southfields north to Bear Mountain.

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Appalachian Trail - New York Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Appalachian Trail - New York Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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