North Redoubt Trail to Red Trail

The North and South Redoubts, the destinations of this hike, were part of a system of fortifications established during the Revolutionary War to protect West Point and the Hudson Highlands. Both redoubts offer panoramic views over the Hudson River. From a brown wand at the rear of the parking area, head into the woods, following a trail blazed with red markers of the Taconic Region. (The first part of the hike, up to the North Redoubt, is on state park lands.) The trail parallels the road for about a quarter mile, then bears right and heads into the woods, climbing gradually. It briefly parallels a stream in the ravine on the left. After climbing some more on switchbacks, you’ll reach a junction, marked by signs for the North Redoubt and the South Redoubt. Turn right, following the sign for the North Redoubt, and continue to climb, rather steeply in places. After reaching the crest of the rise, the trail descends a little, then levels off. It soon bears right and heads north for a short distance, parallel to the river below. The marked trail ends at a triple-red blaze. This spot affords a panoramic north-facing view over the Hudson River, with Constitution Island jutting into the river in the foreground, and Storm King Mountain (identified by the gash on the side of the mountain, where the Storm King Highway was built in 1922) on the west side of the river in the distance. After taking in the view, retrace your steps to the junction and turn right, following the sign to the South Redoubt. The trail now leaves state park lands and enters the lands of the Garrison School Forest, owned by the Garrison Union Free School District. The next section of the trail is marked only by occasional red paint blazes or spotches, but for the most part, the route of the trail is fairly clear. The trail first heads south, then bears left and begins to descend. It soon reaches the edge of a meadow, where it bears left at a fallen tree and heads across the meadow. As of this writing, this section of the trail is poorly blazed and difficult to follow. If you cannot find the continuation of the trail, head diagonally across the meadow to a small wooden shack at the eastern edge of the meadow. This shack, in a deteriorated condition, contains the rusted remnants of a iron stove, wheelbarrow and barrel. From the shack, the trail heads east on a woods road. Although the blazing is spotty, the road itself is wide and clear. You’ll soon reach a grassy parking area, where the trail bears right. The red-blazed Cannon Road Trail of the Garrison School Forest begins here, and for the rest of the way you’ll be following the diamond red markers of this trail. A short distance ahead, the trail goes through a gap in a stone wall and passes a sign for the Garrison School Forest on the right and a kiosk on the left. The trail continues along an old woods road, climbing gradually. In about half a mile, you’ll arrive at the South Redoubt, marked by a kiosk with signs giving the history of the area and biographies of members of the Sloan and Osborn families, who donated this land to the Garrison Union Free School District. After reading these interesting signs, turn left and follow an unmarked path that heads south. You’ll pass a stone foundation on the left and, in 150 feet, reach a clearing with a picnic table that affords a panoramic east-facing view. The United States Military Academy at West Point is visible directly across the river, and Constitution Island and Storm King Mountain may be seen to its right. After enjoying the panoramic view, return to the kiosk, then retrace your steps on the red-blazed trail back to the parking area where the hike began.