Casino (Red), Wilkinson Memorial (Yellow) and Fishkill Ridge (White) Trail Loop is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Beacon, New York that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The City of Beacon offers a Free Loop Bus that takes hikers from the Metro North Train Station to the Mount Beacon Casino (Red), Wilkenson Memorial (Yellow), and Fishkill Ridge (White) Trail Loop Trail Head. The bus leaves the train station every 30 minutes from 6 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and takes 15 minutes to get to the trail head. To view the most up to date schedule, click here https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Public-Transit/Docs/Public-Transit-Route-G.pdf. This route starts at Mt. Beacon Park. It ascends for a while on the Casino Trail, then takes an unnamed trail (yellow) which cuts over to the Fishkill Ridge Trail (white), onto which you make a right turn. Shortly after you cross Dry Brook, you reach the base of Rainbow Falls (a cascade). Continue up the Fishkill Ridge Trail until it crosses a dirt utility road, shortly after which you turn right onto an unblazed woods road, which, in a little while, is joined from the right by an unnamed trail (blue). Turn right at the intersection with the Wilkinson Trail (yellow), which ascends to Scofield Ridge where there are periodic views, initially to east, but later to the south (including NYC). Where the Wilkinson Trail meets the Casino Trail (red), take a right turn onto the latter. In about 1/4 mile, turn left onto the Breakneck Ridge Trail (white), climbing up to the Beacon fire tower, with its incredible panoramic views. Take the old route of the Breakneck Trail down to the Casino Trail (red), onto which you turn left. Follow this trail past the ruins of the casino (great views to the NW) as well as the hoist machinery for the incline railroad, then continue down to your starting point at Mt. Beacon Park.
February 17, 2021
January 24, 2021This trail definitely gave us a workout with its consistent uphills followed by short moments of flat terrain. The downhills were difficult on our ankles with all the rocks, steep angles, and currently a bit of ice. Thankfully there are ways to get around the ice. It was a rewarding hike! There were great views at multiple locations along the trail besides the fire tower. You can see the town and mountains in the distance, and you can even see NYC when you get to the fire tower. There’s also a spot where you can see the lake and the fire tower simultaneously, and at this time you can see the frozen creeks as well. We tried to go up the fire tower, but it was way too windy, and frankly it got scary going up due to all the wind. Super windy where the tower is. All in all great trail loop that was very lightly trafficked going clockwise until after the tower where it starts getting busier. The loose pebbles and rocks, as well as the ice, made going down difficult. There were parts of the trail where the markings and trail got confusing, so it’s definitely advised you use the map. I followed along AllTrails map and got confused at parts because there are certain trails that aren’t noted on the map.
January 23, 2021January 20, 2021Great hike. Nice incline to start it off. Super windy trying to go up that tower.
January 17, 2021January 10, 2021Tough hike to the firetower. The white trail to Bald Hill and back is a nice walk in the woods.
January 9, 2021Icy.
January 9, 2021Fantastic hike
January 9, 2021January 3, 2021There was plenty of parking available at 8:30 am on a nice Saturday morning in January and none left when I left at 2 pm. Pros: - Absolutely amazing views throughout the hike (especially the fire tower), I could see the NYC skyline in the distance. - Generally well marked - Lots of streams and a waterfall - Downtown Beacon is great for post-hiking food/drink/etc Cons: - VERY icy in the morning. The ascent (going counterclockwise) would have been strenuous on a good day, but with ice and mud it was quite challenging. - It was very muddy, which made some steeper parts challenging (to be fair, it did rain a lot recently) - The unblazed stretch of trail on the northern part of the hike is hard to follow - The beginning of the trail was very crowded in the afternoon on my way back.
January 2, 2021January 2, 2021December 31, 2020Awesome walking along the white trail next to the falls.
December 30, 2020Very eroded.
December 30, 2020Good workout
December 29, 2020December 29, 2020December 28, 2020One of my favorite trails this year! Casino trail is tough but worth it for the views! Quite crowded, but most folks do the out-and-back so once you descend using Fishkill Trail, it really thins out. Hiking next to the waterfall is a treat!! Can’t wait to do this one again.
December 20, 2020Hard with the snow buzz kill
December 13, 2020December 12, 2020Lots of fun on a rainy day! This has everything: a steep incline, great views, a bit of scramble, wooded areas, streams, and a waterfall. Would go again.
December 12, 2020This was a very challenging trail on a slightly wet day! I would definitely do this again when the weather is nicer. The first part of the trail is a steep uphill that doesn’t feel too scenic. But once you get on the yellow trail there’s a beautiful waterfall/stream. Following the directions is key. I definitely needed my All Trails map to properly navigate this on a foggy day. The trail is prettty rocky and there is one or two light scrambles. The view at the fire tower is beautiful though. It’s very easy coming back down. Deff. a long hike that I will love to do again.
