Hiking Trails 1 hour from New York City

Did you know there are several hiking trails that are within 1 hour of New York City? These trails are easily accessible by public transportation or by driving. My favorite time of year to hike near NYC is during spring or fall when the weather is most comfortable. In this post, you will find a comprehensive guide for 2 hiking trails within an hour of New York City.

1. Beacon Trail – Beacon, NY

How to get there

If you are driving to this trail, you should expect a 1 ½ – 2-hour drive. If you are taking public transport, which I did, I recommend leaving early in the morning because the commute can be close to 3 hours depending on train times. Don’t worry though, the train is very scenic and the ride will go by quickly.

From Brooklyn

You will take the Subway to Grand Central Station or Harlem 125th Station to catch the Metro-North Hudson Line 813 train towards Poughkeepsie. Round trip tickets during peak season are $46 and $35 outside of peak season. The train is a 90-minute ride so be sure to pack a light breakfast or snacks for the road. The train takes a scenic ride right along the Hudson River to many quaint towns such as Tarrytown and Peekskill. I found the ride to be very enjoyable! When you arrive at the Beacon stop, I recommend taking a 5 minute Uber to the Trailhead. Once you arrive, you will be ready to start your hike!

On the way back, you will catch the same train heading towards New York. It leaves every 30 minutes from the station.

What to expect

Trail: This is a moderately difficult hike that I would rate a 6/10. On this trail map, you will see the route to complete the 3.7-mile out-and-back trail. You will experience a 1,377 ft elevation gain. Estimate the hike to take 3 hours to complete with time for pictures, lunch, and breaks. Be aware that the hike can get strenuous at points, but flattens out along the way.
Terrain: This well-marked trail is rocky at times, but mostly flat.
Crowds: I like that the trail was well-trafficked with friendly hikers (and even dogs) of all ages and physical abilities. Be aware that the trail can get crowded during peak days.
Weather: The weather varies depending on the time of year. However, at the top of the trail towards the fire tower it can get windy, so be sure to pack extra layers.

As you venture along this well-marked trail you’ll come across a few notable points.

Railroad/Stairs

As you begin, you will see old railroad tracks that were historically used to transport to the top of the mountain. This is where you will begin the hike. When you look up ahead, you will see a series of stairs that you will climb. After the climb, you will most likely be exhausted, but look back towards the town as you will see a rewarding view only minutes into your hike. Then, keep heading up along the marked trail.

Casino

Towards the top, about 45 minutes into your hike, you will arrive at the casino. It is the old ruins of an abandoned building right at the top of the mountain. I loved exploring these ruins and taking pictures. After you are done, take a few steps along the trail to arrive at the most popular lookout.

Beacon Lookout

You made it to the top! The Beacon lookout is the most popular viewpoint of the trail. You will see people enjoying the amazing view of the town and the nearby river. Feel free to soak up the views, take your pictures, grab water, and eat a refreshing snack. If you are feeling adventurous and have the energy, keep venturing along the trail for the last stop.

Mount Beacon Fire Tower

Finally, the fire tower is the highest point on the trail for those adventurous hikers. It is about 45-60 minutes hiking from the popular Beacon lookout. The hike is moderately difficult with a few rocky areas and switchbacks to the tower. It gets very windy at the tower, but the tower was recently renovated and is very sturdy. If you are lucky, you will enjoy the full tower to yourself as you take in the stellar views. The fall foliage was absolutely breathtaking from this viewpoint. The trek was definitely worth it. Follow your tracks back to the original trailhead, to the Beacon station, and then back to NYC.

2. Gateway to Heaven – Vernon township, NJ

How to get there

If you are driving to this trail, you should expect a 75-90 minute drive from New York City. It is best to go in the morning to avoid traffic. Make sure you leave enough time for the hike during daylight hours. This trail is well sought-after due to its position on the famous Appalachian Trail.

What to expect

Trail: This is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile out-and-back hike that I would rate a 7/10. You will experience an 889 ft elevation gain. The hike takes about 2 hours to complete with enough time to stop for pictures, snacks, and breaks. The trail was strenuous and steep at points, but there were several opportunities to take breaks to make the journey more manageable.
Terrain: The trail was very rocky, with a few unstable rocks. Make sure to pay attention to the trail markers as you journey up.
Crowds: I like that the trail was well-trafficked with friendly hikers (and even dogs) of all ages and physical abilities. Be aware that the trail can get crowded during peak days.
Weather: The weather varies depending on the time of year. However, it gets hot in during the springtime, so be sure to pack extra layers that you can take off.

Note: The trail is very rocky and is not very straightforward. Be sure to follow the WHITE trail markers throughout your journey. Toward the top, you will see BLUE trail markers to your left toward the vista viewpoint. Take those to the scenic outlook. If you miss this side trail you will see an old mailbox. That is your sign that you went too far. Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to those markers and ended up adding an extra 2 miles (1 hour) to the hike. I guess you can say I learned my lesson the hard way.

Finally, if you have more energy when you return back to the starting point, there is an easy, flat boardwalk where hikers can go for a nice stroll. Head in the direction of the farm and cows to start on the boardwalk trail. As the signs advise, be mindful of the cows as you enter the trail.

What to pack on moderate hikes