Hiking
"Hiking" page last updated
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
On this page:
Tips for Hikers
Access
The Trail System
Cross-Country Skiing
Other
pages in our online Trail Guide:
Perhaps owing to our proximity to New York City, many first-time Palisades hikers are surprised at how rugged our trails can get. Please be prepared! Some tips:
Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back. This is just good hiking sense, no matter where you go.
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes that are not brand new. Ankle support is crucial, especially on the Giant Stairs. Shoes not broken in will likely cause blisters.
Take care of your body. Bring plenty of water (and drink it up as you go). Some basic first aid supplies are always a good idea, too, as are some snacks.
Dress or pack for all possible weather conditions predicted for that day. Layers are the wisest way to dress for the outdoors—you can add or subtract as you go. We also strongly recommend long-sleeved clothing, even in warmer weather. Poison ivy thrives on the Palisades; ticks are common. Long clothing with a spray of repellant at the cuffs is your best defense.
Look out for poisonous snakes. The copperhead snake is relatively common here, if seldom seen. Snakes tend to be shy, so simply watch your step—and don't reach up into stones you cannot see...
Your dog is welcome to enjoy our trails with you, but must at all times be kept on a leash (see "Perils of the Palisades"). Please clean up your pet's waste.
About bikes: We are sorry, but the steepness and erodibility of our trails make them unsuitable for bikes. Violators are subject to fine.
Accident, fire, emergency: 201 768-6001
Hikers can find access to the trails in the NJ Section from all of our developed park areas. Fees and restrictions may apply—please check before you go. Additional access can be gained from the following points, listed south to north. Note that these are outside the confines of the Park - please be sure to follow all local regulations regarding parking, and so forth. (When in doubt, call the appropriate Borough Hall or Police Department.)
Are you coming by public transportation?
Southern Park Entrance
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. By the Edgewater-Fort Lee border, at the southern entrance to Henry Hudson Drive and the Shore Trail's southern trailhead. Parking is available for up to about six cars. Parking in this area may be restricted by snow.
George Washington Bridge North Pedestrian Walkway
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. Ideal trail access for those who walk across the Bridge from Manhattan, or those who take a bus to the Bridge Plaza (about two blocks west). Some street parking on Hudson Terrace is also available, but read all signs carefully. Access can be gained to the southern trailhead for the Long Path the same way you would gain access to the northern bridge walkway, from the steel stairway from Hudson Terrace. This stairway splits; follow the part that goes into the woods. (The north-side bridge walkway is closed for an extended re-painting project, but the trail access remains open. Pedestrians and bicycles must cross the Bridge on the south-side walkway. Find information about the re-painting project at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's web site.)
Linwood Park (Toll Plaza) Overpass
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. Street parking is available at the overpass about 0.5 miles north of Fort Lee Historic Park—observe all parking signs carefully. Stairs go up to the overpass on the west side of Hudson Terrace. Follow the walkway along the overpass, across the toll plaza approach, then down the stairs into the woods. Immediate access to the Long Path and to the top of Carpenters Trail is available here. Parking here always subject to very restricted availability— parking in this area may be further restricted by snow.
Old Closter Dock Road
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine. About 0.25 miles north of Closter Dock Road. Bus passenger access only. A tunnel beneath the Parkway provides access to the Closter Dock Trail and the Long Path.
Pedestrian Bridge
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine. About 2 miles north of Closter Dock Road. Up to about twelve cars can park on the wide shoulder of Rt. 9W, where the Forest View Trail crosses the Parkway on a pedestrian bridge (this is just south of a similar pedestrian bridge that crosses Rt. 9W itself, for the benefit of Boy Scouts hiking to nearby Camp Alpine). This parking area is about 0.5 miles north of the Japanese restaurant. This access point provides the most convenient access to Women's Federation Monument. Parking in this area may be restricted by snow.
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Lamont-Doherty Entrance
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine, immediately at the state line. Bus passenger and bicycle (on paved surfaces) access only by the old cement highway that leads to State Line Lookout.
Two main trails each cover most of the approximately 13-mile length of the Park, here described south-to-north. Both have been designated National Historic and Recreational Trails:
Shore Trail (white)
The Shore Trail begins at the southern park entrance at the Edgewater-Fort Lee border, descends to the Hudson River, then follows along the Hudson's shore, eventually crossing the Giant Stairs and on to Peanut Leap Cascade, where it steeply ascends back to the cliff top just north of the New York-New Jersey state line, ending at its junction with the Long Path. Except for the Giant Stairs and the northern terminus, the trail covers easy to moderate terrain.
Long Path (aqua)
The Long Path follows the top of the cliffs from just north of the George Washington Bridge to the state line on U.S. Route 9W. (It then continues into New York State.) The trail covers easy to moderate terrain throughout. Click for a mile-by-mile trail description of the Long Path.
Five bottom-to-top, east-to-west trails connect the Shore Trail and the Long Path:
Carpenters Trail (blue)
Just south of the Ross Dock area on the Shore Trail, about 0.5 miles north of the southern trailhead of the Long Path. (Steep: elevation 250 feet.)
Dyckman Hill Trail (yellow)
Parallels Dyckman Hill Road (continuation of Palisade Ave. from Englewood Cliffs) to the Englewood Picnic Area. (Moderate: elevation 300 feet.)
Huyler's Landing Trail (red)
About 1.5 miles south of the Alpine Picnic Area on the Shore Trail, about 0.5 miles south of the Alpine Lookout on the Long Path. (Moderate: elevation 400 feet.)
Closter Dock Trail (Alpine Approach Trail) (orange)
Runs from just north of the Alpine Picnic Area to just south of Park Headquarters. (Moderate-steep: elevation 400 feet.)
Forest View Trail (blue/white)
About 3 miles north of the Alpine Picnic Area from the Shore Trail, about 0.5 miles south of State Line Lookout on the Long Path. It overlaps the Long Path for about 0.5 miles at the summit of the cliffs, passing the Women's Federation Monument, then goes on to Boy Scout Camp Alpine. (Very steep: elevation 500 feet.)
Other trails:
The six cross-country ski trails at State Line Lookout, marked A – F, can also be used by hikers.
Several unmarked trails are described in other pages of the Trail Guide.
Five miles of cross-country ski trails of various lengths and difficulty are at State Line Lookout. These ski trails, marked A – F, are marked and maintained, but not groomed. Skiers are advised to wait for at least four inches of snow before using the trails. (We do not offer ski rentals.)
Skiers can also use our hiking trails. Please note that many of these trails are steep or rocky, so you are strongly cautioned to scout out all trails by foot before attempting to ski them.
A note on winter use: Lookout Inn may be closed during a significant weather event. When a barrier has been put in place by the Park on any of its roadways, including the access road to the Lookout area, the roadway beyond that barrier is to be considered closed for all use; those going beyond such a barrier are subject to prosecution. The State Line area will be plowed and open for cross-country skiing after the Parkway and other critical Park roads have been completely cleared and deemed safe by the Parkway Police. Visitors can expect the area to be open for skiing within 24 hours of the end of a typical storm event.
