Wherever you are in New York, you’re never too far from a great place to hike. Whether you’re an urban explorer or a mountain-climber, a beginner or a lifelong backpacker, New York has invigorating hikes and gorgeous scenery for everyone. Here are some of our favorite hikes in the state.
Why New York State Is One of the Best Places to Hike in the U.S.
New York surprises people. Most travelers picture skyscrapers first, but step a few hours outside the city and you’re in a world of deep gorges, rushing waterfalls, high peaks, and dense wilderness. You can hike behind waterfalls in the morning and summit a mountain by afternoon.
The variety is what makes hiking in New York State so special. Urban explorers, casual walkers, and serious backpackers all have something incredible waiting for them here.
Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail
Location: Watkins Glen State Park
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Waterfalls, families, beginners
This is a low-effort, high-reward hike and one of the most beautiful trails in the entire state. The stone pathway winds through a narrow gorge, passing waterfall after waterfall before reaching the stunning Cavern Cascade. The mist, the towering rock walls, and the greenery overhead make it feel otherworldly.
The Appalachian Trail
Location: Across southeastern New York
Distance: 90 miles within NY
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best For: Iconic long-distance hiking
You don’t have to hike all 2,000+ miles to enjoy this legendary trail. The New York section includes boardwalks through the Great Swamp, climbs over Bear Mountain, and even a stretch across the Bear Mountain Bridge near the zoo. It’s a bucket-list trail made approachable.
Devil’s Hole Trail, Niagara Falls
Location: Niagara Falls
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Gorge views without the crowds
Niagara Falls is breathtaking, but it’s also very crowded with people who have come to see what all the fuss is about. If you want a break from the crowds, Devil’s Hole Trail isn’t quite as heavily-trafficked, and still features some incredible views. The trail takes you along the river, with great views of the rapids and the rock layers of the gorge until you reach the Devil’s Hole itself, an enormous, incredible whirlpool.
Because of the landscape, you can expect some slippery ground now and again, which adds a little bit of challenge to the hike. But the views are worth the little bit of extra care you’ll need to take.
Mount Marcy, Adirondack Park
Location: Adirondack Park
Distance: 14.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: Challenging
Best For: Summit views, experienced hikers
There are a ton of hikes in the Adirondacks. With nearly 6 million acres of high peaks, flowing waters, and lush, green wilderness, it’s the largest protected natural area in the contiguous United States. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails and plentiful snowfall, and it’s no wonder that the park has been ranked one of the top 10 in the country for winter camping.
Mount Marcy is the tallest mountain in the area. It isn’t the longest or most challenging, but the views from the dome rock at the top are fantastic. Just be mindful of the environment. Mount Marcy is home to endangered vegetation. Camping over 4,000 feet is forbidden in Adirondack after environmental damage at the top of Mount Marcy and elsewhere.
And if you want a tougher hike, or a longer hike, or even something shorter, there are 46 mountains in Adirondack Park to climb.
Grimes Glen
Location: Naples, Finger Lakes
Distance: 1+ mile
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best For: Waterfall chasing, families
This one isn’t nearly as challenging as some of the mountain treks, but it’s still worth seeking out, especially if you’re with newcomers or younger family. This hike through Grimes Glen takes you out just over a mile through hemlock groves and shale bluffs to the Fingers Lakes waterfalls.
If you’re looking for something a little tougher, you can keep hiking until you reach the second waterfall. But be warned that it’s much tougher. A system of installed ropes are necessary to make it up some of the steep slopes. If you’re on the fence about going (or just can’t get away) you can also watch a virtual tour of the area, offering videos of the park in all four seasons.
The Staten Island Greenbelt
Location: Staten Island, New York City
Distance: 35 miles of trails
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best For: Hiking without leaving NYC
Three times the size of Central Park, this forest preserve feels like a secret. Wetlands, wooded paths, and surprisingly rugged trails make this a favorite for locals who want nature without a road trip.
Overlook Mountain, Catskills Mountains
Location: Catskill Mountains
Distance: 4.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Fire tower views, history
The Catskills take up the southeast corner of New York, and the area is packed with gorgeous trails, rushing waterfalls, great fishing, and more. There are mountain climbs like Mount Tremper and wandering paths like Mary’s Glen Trail, but the best view is arguably up at Overlook Mountain.
The trail can be a bit crowded compared to other Catskills hikes, but if you make it to the fire tower at the summit, you’ll see why. The 360-degree view is so vast that you can see clear into six states.
Wittenberg and Cornell Mountains Trail
Location: Catskill Mountains
Distance: 8.5 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Best For: Serious elevation gain, wooded scenery
Wittenberg and Cornell Mountains Trail is another great Catskills trek that takes hikers and backpackers over two mountain peaks in one go, over the course of an 8.5 mile trail. (You can also go all the way to Slide from Cornell for a 9.3-mile jaunt.)
This one’s a challenge, with a lot of climbing. The trail is clearly-marked and well-maintained, but you’ll climb about 2,500 feet in just the 3.9 miles to Wittenberg. Your calves are going to get a workout worthy of the Adirondacks. Still, the gorgeous wooded views are worth the effort. If you love a challenge, this is definitely a hike to seek out.
When Is the Best Time to Go Hiking in New York State?
Fall is spectacular, with fiery foliage across the Adirondacks and Catskills. Summer is perfect for gorge trails and waterfall hikes like Watkins Glen and Grimes Glen. Spring can be muddy but beautifully quiet. Winter transforms the Adirondacks into a snowshoeing paradise for experienced adventurers.
About the Author: Originally from the North East, but now based out of Southern California, Derek Edwards is a budding outdoorsman and adventurist. When he’s not out exploring the wilderness, he can be found on one of San Diego’s many beaches or tinkering with his camp gear in anticipation of his next outing. You can follow along his adventures on his website Outdoors with Derek.
