Best river trails in Bear Mountain State Park, New York

This steep incline up to Bear Mountain summit features incredible views. Please note that the parking lot fills up very fast on the weekends. Please note that the entrance closes periodically due to the storms. Check the park website before going: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/13/details.aspx The loop uses both the Appalachian Trail and the Major Welch Trail. The route can be done in either direction, but many people choose to go counter-clockwise.Show more

The parking area closes seasonally for Winter, but you can park a bit further down the road. Downloading the offline map is recommended to get oriented as several users have reported that this trail is not well marked and/or that there may be poor cell reception in this area. This is an absolutely beautiful trail: the leaves, the pathways, the bridge and stream are all so lovely and the view at the top is incredible! The trail begins at the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site. There is hiker parking about 1/4 mile north of the Historic Site parking (please use hiker parking on weekends). From the parking lot and at the stone staircase, follow the light blue blazes that takes you under the 9W viaduct bridge. If completing the trail as pictured on AllTrails, bear right at the first trail intersection and loop around (heading East) to get to the West side of Route 9W bridge and start the Torne hike at the Red and White Blaze trailhead. Show more

Start at a parking area on US 9W near Jones Point, taking the joint Ramapo-Dunderberg (red) and Timp-Torne Trails (blue) up a fairly steep incline. When the trails split, turn right with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, which continues up Dunderberg, with several spots where there are fine views of the Hudson River. After the intersection with the Cornell Mine Trail (blue), stay on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, which now climbs Bald Mountain, passing several remnants of the Cornell Mine along the way. There is another marvelous viewpoint at the top of Bald Mountain. The trail then descends. At the intersection with the Timp-Torne Trail, turn onto it, which ascends to the Timp, with great views, particularly of the NY City skyline. Retrace your steps, and stay on the Timp-Torne Trail is it winds its way back to your starting point, passing through more remains of the Dunderberg railway works, and affording some more great views of the Hudson River.Show more

Highlights include grand views of the Hudson River Valley, historic revolutionary roads, Doodletown Reservoir, mining area, and awesome Split Rock Falls. Free parking is available. Offline map recommended. Users have reported that the trail is not marked well.Show more

Offline map recommended. Users have reported that the trail is not marked well.Show more

This is a direct, rugged, alternate route up Bear Mountain which is the north side of the extended loop trail. It is an in-out challenging scramble. Crampons are essential after snowfall. Fantastic views of the Hudson River Valley, with the great enclosed Perkins lookout tower on top. Trailhead on west side of Hessian Lake, parking at mountain lodges lot.Show more

This route offers great views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain, and Anthony's Nose. A gem, quick elevation, and a wonderful roaring brook.Show more

This trail unites with the well known Bear Mountain Loop via a lesser known route at the base of the Hudson River. This section of the Twin Forts trail begins at the Fort Montgomery parking lot (free) and crosses over the new, beautiful Popolopen foot bridge (blue marker). The trail proceeds under the Bear Mountain bridge, through the grounds of the nature center, to the main visitors center, and then to the massive Appalachian Trail staircase (white). This staircase ascends to the top of Bear Mountain and to Perkins Memorial viewing tower. Hikers then join the rugged and steep Major Welsh trail on the descent (red dot). At the trail's end, hikers follow the paved path around Hessian Lake back to the blue trail. Highlights include grand views of the Hudson River, neighboring mountains, historical points of interest, and a view of the NY City skyline on high visibility days (see photos). Of interest, some "loop hikers" will choose to rock scramble up Major Welsh, and then walk down the staircase (reverse loop).Show more