Best Hiking Trails in New York
The Adirondacks, Catskills, and Hudson Highlands — our team's picks for hiking in a state most people underrate.
People don't think of New York as a hiking state until they see the Adirondacks. It's the largest publicly-protected area in the contiguous US — bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Olympic combined. The 46 High Peaks are where our team points serious hikers first. Owen finished the 46er list last October and says Algonquin in snow is better than Algonquin in summer.
Outside the Adirondacks: the Catskills give you 35 peaks above 3,500 ft in a 2-hour drive from NYC; the Hudson Highlands give you legit scrambles you can do on a day trip from Grand Central.
By region
Adirondacks
The High Peaks, the Great Range Traverse, St Regis Mountain for beginners. June–October; winter only with experience + gear.
Catskills
Slide, Cornell, Wittenberg. Excellent shoulder-season hiking when the Adirondacks are still muddy.
Hudson Highlands
Breakneck Ridge, Anthony's Nose, Bear Mountain. Real scrambles under 90 minutes from Manhattan.
Finger Lakes
Gorge waterfalls (Watkins Glen, Taughannock). Short but spectacular.
When to go
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Common questions
- Is Breakneck Ridge safe for beginners?
- It's real scrambling with exposure. If you're new, go up, don't come down — descend via the alternate trail.
- Black flies?
- Mid-May through mid-June in the Adirondacks. Bring a head net or plan around them.
- Do I need a permit for the High Peaks?
- No permit for day use. AMR hikes (Cascade/Porter from Whiteface Club) require a reservation.