Explore the Trail: New York

New york, north of nuclear lake (photo: john fletcher)

The Appalachian Trail through New York is much less secluded than nearby Trail areas, but is more wooded and removed from civilization than one might expect considering its proximity to the large population centers.

The section through Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park, where in 1923 the very first new section of the Appalachian Trail was completed, gets a lot of visitors. As the Trail passes through the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain, it drops to its lowest elevation point—124 feet.

Elevation changes are generally moderate and vary from relatively flat and gentle to short, steep rocky pitches. Natural water sources are scarce and sometimes polluted.

New York at a Glance
A.T. mileage 88 miles
Difficulty rating 2-5 (rating scale explained)
Elevation 124—1,433 feet
Guidebook Appalachian Trail Guide to New York-New Jersey
When to go Late April through early June. September and October.
Trail club New York–New Jersey Trail Conference