The Palisades of the Hudson

More than 30 miles of trails offer opportunities that range from easy riverside strolls to challenging rock scrambles. The trail system in the park is described on this page, along with suggested hike routes, tips for Palisades hikers, and other important information to help make your ramble in the park more rewarding — and safe!

Perhaps because of our proximity to New York City, many first-time Palisades hikers are surprised at how rugged our trails can get. Please be prepared!
Hiking the Giant Stairs loop photos by Anthony Taranto.

Suggested Hikes

A big part of the fun in a Palisades hike can be found in creating your own adventure — grab a park map and set out to explore. Still, for those who have never hiked here before, it can be helpful to get some ideas on where to start (and what to stay away from, too — especially if you’re not an experienced hiker, or if you have youngsters with your group).

The hikes on this page are “tried and true.” The maps are paired with simple, numbered hike descriptions that start and end at one of the main areas in the park. You can alter the starting point on most of these hikes — you just have to readjust the order of the directions. Or put two hikes together if you want. Or go ahead and do a loop hike in reverse! These maps and descriptions are really just starting points, ideas to get you on your way.

Our list starts with a pair of Easy hikes, then a few Moderate ones — and then a couple of Challenging ones. Please take a moment to read our summary for each category, so you know if it is the right type of hike for you and your party!

Easy Hikes

These hikes can be completed in two hours or less by hikers with little or no hiking experience, including school-age children who are among the group.

“Cape Fly Away”

Hike description begins/ends at Alpine Picnic Area.
A riverfront “lolly-pop loop” with some rocky sections along the shore.
Click to download a map keyed to the “Cape Fly Away” hike description that starts from and ends at the north end of Alpine Picnic Area.
“Cape Fly Away” | Easy | About 3 mi., 1.5 hrs. round-trip (with an opportunity to shorten by about half).
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.
Alpine Picnic Area north hiking map (2 pages)

“Women’s Federation Monument”

Hike description begins/ends at State Line Lookout.
A “back-and-forth” hike on the summit, with one short, steep climb.
Click to download a map keyed to the “Women’s Federation Monument” hike description that starts from and ends at State Line Lookout.
“Women’s Federation Monument” | Easy | About 2 mi., 1 hr. round-trip.
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.
State Line hiking map (2 pages)

 

Moderate Hikes

These hikes will probably take two hours or more to complete, and parts of the route may traverse some significant slopes or rugged trails. Younger children may find these hikes too difficult. Older children and adults should be in good shape and relatively confident of their hiking abilities.

“Carpenter’s Loop”

Hike description begins/ends at Fort Lee Historic Park.
A 5-mile trek through some surprisingly wild terrain that’s mostly in sight of the GWB (and with an opportunity to shorten by about half).

Note: This is our “go-to hike” for the southern end of the park, and at the pages for each of the following park areas, you can find the same hike but with the description keyed to begin there instead: Ross Dock Picnic Area, Allison Park, or Englewood Picnic Area

Click to download a map keyed to a hike description that starts and ends at Fort Lee Historic Park.
“Carpenter’s Loop” | Moderate | About 5.5 mi., 2.5 hrs. round-trip (with an opportunity to shorten by about half).
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.

“Huyler’s Landing History Hike”

Hike description begins/ends at Alpine Picnic Area.
A veritable “sampler platter” for the Palisades history lover!
Reenactors on the Huyler Landing trail
Click to download a map (two-page format only) keyed to a history hike description that starts and ends at the south end of Alpine Picnic Area.
“Huyler’s Landing History Hike” | Moderate | About 5 mi., 3.5 hrs. round-trip.
Huyler Landing hike map (2 pages)

“Bombay Hook”

Hike description begins/ends at Alpine Picnic Area.
A big loop with a steep climb — but exceptional views, both along the river and at the summit!
Click to download a map keyed to the “Bombay Hook” hike description that starts from and ends at the north end of Alpine Picnic Area.
“Bombay Hook” | Moderate | About 7 mi., 5 hrs. round-trip.
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.
Alpine Picnic Area north hiking map (2 pages)

“Peanut Leap Cascade”

Hike description begins/ends at State Line Lookout.
A “back-and-forth” hike from summit to riverfront, with one of the prettiest spots in the park at the halfway point — but with some steep climbs along the way, too!
Peanut Leap Cascade. Click here to learn more about this unique site in the park!
Photo: Manuelita Frederick.
Click to download a map keyed to the “Peanut Leap Cascade” hike description that starts from and ends at State Line Lookout.
“Peanut Leap Cascade” | Moderate | About 2.5 mi., 2 hrs. round-trip.
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.
State Line hiking map (2 pages)

 

Challenging Hikes

These hikes are better suited to hikers with some real hiking experience. The routes traverse trails that are rugged and have steep slopes. These hikes may take over three hours to complete — younger children may not be able to complete them. Older children and adults should be in good shape and confident of their hiking abilities.

“Clinton Point”

Hike description begins/ends at Englewood Picnic Area.
An 8-mile riverfront-to-summit-and-back loop with a bunch of little hills along the summit and some truly rocky trails along the river.
Clinton Point
Click to download a map (two-page format only) keyed to a hike description that starts and ends at Englewood Picnic Area.
“Clinton Point” | Challenging | About 8 mi., 5 hrs. round-trip.
Clinton Point hike map (2 pages)

“The Giant Stairs”

Hike description begins/ends at State Line Lookout.
Summit-to-riverfront hike with steep climbs and a very difficult approximately mile-long rock scramble.
Click to download a map keyed to the “Giant Stairs” hike description that starts from and ends at State Line Lookout.
“The Giant Stairs” | Challenging | About 4 mi., 3 hrs. round-trip.
A two-page version of this map and hike description (better for home printers) is also available to download.
State Line hiking map (2 pages)