There is hiker parking about 1/4 mile north of the Historic Site parking (please use hiker parking on weekends). learn more. Immediately after that picnic area turnoff, the well-marked Appalachian Trail heads into the woods on your left. It was quite a hard way up but man was it worth it. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. You can also take a walk over the Bear Mountain Bridge for great views of the Hudson Valley and Hudson River below. Congratulations! Also be sure to check out all the revolutionary war history in the trailside museums. If your Shih Tzu is comfortable hiking these kinds of distances, I can’t imagine she’d have any trouble with this section. My 45-pound dog hopped right on up with no problem. Nearby Hotels. An hour's drive from New York City, the rugged hills of Bear Mountain rise up from the Hudson River. Just go around that tree. Bare Mountain, the site of a former fire lookout, is a superb viewpoint with mountains in every direction and lakes close by. 5. Definitely do NOT try to do this hike on the Fourth of July, unless you enjoy having the worst time of your life.). And greetings from the future! He was headed up to the tower with a report of two 12-year olds walking. I came across your blog when searching for a hike in the area. If you’ve never been, or maybe even if you have, you should put this hike into your rotation. Bear Mountain is a popular destination and often a choice destination for group outings. Less than ten minutes after the viewpoint, after some more climbing, the trail crosses Perkins Memorial Drive, aka Cheaters’ Highway. Required fields are marked *. If that’s no longer the case when you visit, enjoy the new trail section, and start following those white blazes, person of the future! In season, appreciate the great variety of wildflowers, beginning at the trailhead and continuing all the way to the summit. Check out the educational signage as you marvel at the last few (dozen) stairs for the day. Keep following the double-blazed (white and white-with-red-circle) trail. Thanks so much! The trail immediately becomes steep and rocky. Dudes were dragging coolers across three lanes of traffic. (If she’s not a regular hiker, though, I’d recommend working up to this hike with some shorter ones first, just to make sure she’s up to it.) I hiked this today as my first solo hike! #3 - Dunderberg, Bald Mountain, and The Timp Loop. 4. We did run into a policeman who stopped to make sure we were OK (tx). (I was a little concerned about how my 9.5-year-old pooch would do here, but she clambered right up, no problem. 9. And then, boom! Bear Mountain Trail The hike to the top of the mountain is mostly unshaded, steep and difficult in places. Congratulations on hiking to one of the most beautiful spots in the Hudson Valley, even when you could have cheated. Unwind and experience nature and history. Question – why not do up and back on the AT instead of a loop? Mileage: 4.4 miles roundtrip, moderate trail surface and elevation gain; one slightly difficult rocky descent. It was quite busy in the parking lot and all but once we started hiking it wasn’t bad at all. completed it today and can’t wait to do it again. I counted the steps. Bear Mountain truly has something for everyone! Looks like the old link worked on some devices and not others. 716. NOTE: During winter months, the parking area may be closed for the season. Thanks again. We walked about 1/4 mile and behind us facing in the other direction was a sign ‘Bear Mtn Inn – 4 miles’. I wouldn’t attempt the road walk from Bear Mountain Bridge all the way along 202 to the Toll House, either — the road is quite twisty and not ideal at all for pedestrians. I will now look up on the map where this place is, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get there. This is a phenomenal hike with fun rock-clambering, multiple wonderful views (some more secluded than others), and some of the most insane trailwork I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if I’m more impressed at the dedication of the people who built those steps, or Andrew’s dedication for taking the time to count them all. Please read reviews for tips on how to get to the trail during these months. Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. If you are interested in joining up with a group you can check the schedules of local AMC Chapters and perhaps doing a search for group hikes to Bear Mountain in Salisbuy. Thank you for taking the time to share!!! This is the true money spot. Our party had separated just before the tower (one took the road to get there and the other two stayed on the trail) and it took a little while to get back together. Many people just lounge on the lawn and enjoy the views of Anthony’s Nose looming across the river, too. That’s where you want to be – turn left to hop on the Appalachian Trail here. You can also get a hint of the Bear Mountain Bridge through the trees. Please note that the parking lot fills up very fast on the weekends. We hiked from Under Moutain Road parking area, and that trail connects with the Appalachian Trail, scrambles over some great rock Just a couple minutes (and many more stone steps) after that view, you’ll cross a footbridge that looks like it took some serious know-how to build. Say goodbye to the easy livin’! 10. Please read it before heading out into the wild green yonder, and let's hope that everyone will adhere to that guidance so that we can keep heading in the right direction in the Hudson Valley. Thanks for this guide; it was super helpful! It was the main path used by boat travelers from NYC and other local ports during the 1920s to 1950s. In particular, about five minutes after you veered left to stay on the Major Welch Trail, you’ll come upon a tree with a blue X on it (as of June 2017) – you have to look past that tree, uphill, to find the next Major Welch blaze. Other than that, fun climbing and beautiful view. Wow, that takes some serious dedication to count all those steps. A lovely, snowy day. CAMPING: Areas suitable to tent camping are available on top of Bear Mountain. In just a minute, the Appalachian Trail joins us from the right. The trail was EXTREMELY busy and we were passing people pretty much the entire time. at the historic Bear Mountain Inn. The area is a popular retreat from the city and surrounding suburbs, especially in … I assume that info is accurate and wanted to pass it on. Bear Mountain Hike: on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut Bear Mountain, located in the northwest corner of Connecticut, is the highest peak in the state. …. (Took us about 12 minutes to get here from the cul-de-sac.). You guys are tough, Steve! The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. There are 18 moderate trails in Bear Mountain State Park ranging from 1 to 12.6 km and from 1 to 396 meters above sea level. There’s a view back there! Otherwise, you could wander straight here into the wild green yonder. When you reach the cul-de-sac, follow the trail as it veers off to the right. Offline map recommended. I’d totally underestimated Bear Mountain because of the road to the summit, those “cheaters” totally miss out on the spectacular. Excellent guide. “Shhhh, buddy, time to stop calling them ‘cheaters’ now,” I whispered. My son counted the steps until the novelty wore off – he made it to 200. When the trails split, turn right with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, which continues up Dunderberg, with several spots where there are fine views of the Hudson River. Enjoy the views of Hessian Lake as you amble along the paved path to its left. The route can be done in either direction, but many people choose to go counter-clockwise. 11. One last thing I like to do while cavorting with the cheaters. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking. Hi, Kamal! Thanks for the great guide and suggestion! It’s fine. Straight ahead, you’ll see the junction where several trails converge. spa. You can also take a drive up Perkins Memorial Drive to the Perkins Memorial Tower where you will find spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and the adjacent Harriman State Park. Bear Mountain (2,316 feet) is the highest peak in Connecticut (the highest ground is the south slope of Mount Frissel, whose peak is in MA). Even better – straight ahead, Perkins Memorial Tower, named after the place that served pancakes this morning to all the people who drove up here. (And in the vending machines, Pringles!) You can download a park trail map to find the location of trails, backcountry shelters, and campsites in the park. Before heading out for your next adventure, please check my Hudson Valley trail closures and parking restrictions due to COVID-19 page to make sure that your intended destination is open. On my first visit to this spot (as a cheater), the door was locked (karma for cheating). There’s plenty to do here, so whenever you visit, expect to have some company. The good news is that the Camp Smith Trail hits the Appalachian Trail just beyond Anthony’s Nose, so if you’re looking for more hike, you can just keep going until you hit Maine! We did the hike in reverse this time and it was slightly steep at points going down but otherwise a very senic route. “Vending machines by the road? 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