Trails & Hiking
In the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey we have it all! From easy riverside strolls to challenging rock scrambles, everyone can find the right hike for them. Due to our proximity to New York City, many first time hikers are surprised at how rugged our trails can get. The information below can ensure your ramble in the park will be fun... and safe!
Our suggested hikes are some of the most common routes people choose within our park, but these maps and descriptions are really just starting points to get you on your way. A big part of the fun in a Palisades hike can be found in creating your own adventure.
About 3 mi., 1.5 hrs. round-trip (with an opportunity to shorten by about half). Hike description begins/ends at Alpine Picnic Area.
A riverfront “lolly-pop loop” with some rocky sections along the shore.
Download a map for the Cape Fly Away Loop
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Women’s Federation Monument Hike
About 2 mi., 1 hr. round-trip. Hike description begins/ends at State Line Lookout.
A “back-and-forth” hike on the summit, with one short, steep climb.
Download a map for the Women's Federation Monument Hike
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Carpenter’s Loop
About 5.5 mi., 2.5 hrs. round-trip. Hike description begins/ends at Fort Lee Historic Park.
A 5-mile trek through wild terrain in sight of the George Washington Bridge. There is a chance to shorten the hike if necessary.
Download a map for Carpenter's Loop (beginning at Fort Lee Historic Park)
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Note: This is our “go-to hike” for the southern end of the park, and at each of the following park areas, you can find the same hike but with the route beginning there: Ross Dock Picnic Area, Allison Park, or Englewood Picnic Area.
Huyler’s Landing History Hike
About 5 mi., 3.5 hrs. round-trip.Hike description begins/ends at Alpine Picnic Area.
A veritable “sampler platter” for the Palisades history lover!
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Learn more about Huyler's Landing during the American Revolution by reading our Bergen County Historical Society Marker at the base of the trail!
You can also read our Cliff Notes Articles On His Lordship's Mysterious Ascent & American v. American: The 1781 Battle of Fort Lee to learn more about how the Revolution shaped our local area. Make sure to visit Fort Lee Historic Park on your next visit!
Bombay Hook Loop
About 7 mi., 5 hrs. round-trip. 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!
Download a map for the Bombay Hook Loop
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Peanut Leap Cascade Loop
About 2.5 mi., 2 hrs. round-trip. 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.
Download a map for the Peanut Leap Cascade Loop
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Clinton Point Loop
About 8 mi., 5 hrs. round-trip. 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.
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The Giant Stairs Hike *CLOSED*
About 4 mi., 3 hrs. round-trip. Hike description begins/ends at State Line Lookout.
Summit-to-riverfront hike with steep climbs and a very difficult mile-long rock scramble.
Download a map for the Giant Stairs Hike
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Hiking Tips:
Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back
Bring plenty of water — and drink it as you go
Carry snacks and some basic first-aid supplies if you are going on a challenging hike
Wear shoes that are designed for hiking
Dress or pack for all possible weather conditions forecast for the day
Long sleeves with a spray of repellent at cuffs is your best defense against ticks and poison ivy
The Palisades Trail System
There are seven marked hiking trails in the park, each identified in the field by colored rectangular markers.
Long Path
Aqua Markers
11 mi., easy to moderate hiking, with some steep climbs on stone steps in the State Line area
The Long Path is accessible from all of the park’s cliff-top areas, including Fort Lee Historic Park, Allison Park, Park Headquarters, and State Line Lookout, as well as from the western trailheads of the park’s five connecting trails. After entering the park at the George Washington Bridge, the Long Path follows the Palisades summit north, where it eventually connects with US Route 9W.
Palisades Shore Trail
White Markers
12 mi., easy to difficult hiking with some rocky sections, then a very challenging rock scramble & steep climb to the northern trailhead
The Shore Trail is accessible from all of the park’s Riverfront picnic areas as well as from the eastern trailheads of the five connecting trails in the park. From the Edgewater park entrance, the Shore Trail descends to and then follows the river north. North of Alpine Picnic Area, the Shore Trail enters a more remote section of the park, eventually traversing the mile-long challenging rock scramble known as the “Giant Stairs,” before it ascends again with a steep climb to meet the Long Path.
Carpenter’s Trail
Blue Markers | Steep: 320-ft. climb
Providing park access to hikers by Linwood Park in Fort Lee, Carpenter’s Trail ascends a stairway to a sidewalk along the Parkway overpass and then crosses a short pedestrian bridge to a stairway that enters the woods on the east side of the Parkway. It briefly overlaps with the Long Path, then descends on steep tread-ways to a tunnel beneath Henry Hudson Drive, from which it descends on stone steps to the Shore Trail just south of Ross Dock Picnic Area.
Public Transportation
Street parking available near western trailhead — follow all posted regulations for parking. The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is Fort Lee Bridge Plaza (Numerous busses).
Dyckman Hill Trail
Yellow Markers | Moderate: 340-ft. climb
Providing park access to hikers from the Englewood Cliffs park entrance, where the Long Path crosses Palisade Ave., the Dyckman Hill Trail descends on treadways and stone steps to the Shore Trail near the entrance to Englewood Picnic Area.
Public Transportation
The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is US Route 9W (Sylvan Ave) at Palisade Ave (Rockland Coaches No. 9).
Huyler’s Landing Trail
Red Markers | Moderate: 440-ft. climb
Beginning from the Long Path about a quarter mile south of Alpine Lookout, the Huyler’s Landing Trail follows a steep old wagon road to the river, overlaps Henry Hudson Drive for about 100 yards, then switches back to the Shore Trail about 1 mile south of Alpine Picnic Area.
Public Transportation
The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is US Route 9W at Greenbrook (Rockland Coaches No. 9).
Closter Dock Trail
Orange Markers | Moderate–Steep: 360 ft. climb
Providing park access to hikers from a pair of underpasses that cross beneath the Palisades Interstate Parkway from US Route 9W just north of Closter Dock Road, the Closter Dock Trail overlaps the Long Path for about a quarter mile, crosses beneath Henry Hudson Drive through another (much smaller) underpass, then descends on a steep old wagon road to the Shore Trail just north of Alpine Picnic Area.
Public Transportation
Roadside parking available. The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is US Route 9W at Closter Dock Road & Old Dock Road (Rockland Coaches No. 9).
Forest View Trail
Blue and White Markers | Steep: 520 ft. climb
Crossing from a pedestrian bridge crossing over the Palisades Interstate Parkway from US Route 9W, the Forest View Trail overlaps the Long Path by the Women’s Monument, then descends on steep stone steps and tread-ways into a remote section of the park to the Shore Trail just south of the Giant Stairs (approx. 2.25 mi. north of Alpine Picnic Area).
Public Transportation
Roadside parking available along US Route 9W. The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is US Route 9W at Ruckman Road & Camp Alpine (Rockland Coaches No. 9).
The Ski Trails
Available to hikers year-round, 5 miles of designated cross-country ski trails of various lengths and difficulty are at State Line Lookout. Marked A – F, these trails are maintained for winter use but not groomed. Skiers are advised to wait for at least 4 inches of snow before using the trails. We do not offer ski rentals. Skiers can also use our hiking trails, but many of these trails are steep or rocky — skiers should scout these trails by foot before attempting to ski them!
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