Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Park Overview:
A beautiful 162-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail passes through the New York-New Jersey region.
Park Description:
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.
In the New York-New Jersey area the “AT” goes north from the Delaware Water Gap along the northwest border of New Jersey, entering New York State near Greenwood Lake, crossing the Hudson River at Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks – at 124 feet its lowest elevation -- and passing ultimately into southwestern Connecticut near Kent.
The AT passes through the following parks.
- New Jersey -- 72 miles total (all Trail Conference web pages for NJ State parks and forests have Web Map links displaying the AT)
- Worthington State Forest (entering NJ from PA)
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Stokes State Forest
- High Point State Park
- Wawayanda State Park
- Abram S. Hewitt State Forest (leaving NJ to NY)
- New York -- 90 miles total
- Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks (the Trail's oldest segment)
- Hudson Highlands State Park
- Fahnestock State Park (Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park)
The National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and 31 local trail-maintaining organizations manage the Scenic Trail. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is one of these organizations, maintaining all 162 miles in the region.
Additional information and resources concerning the AT in the metropolitan area may be found at the Appalachian Trail Region web page.
There are no fees to hike the Appalachian Trail, but New York and New Jersey state parks may charge entrance fees seasonally at some locations. Check specific parks web pages.
Trails Overview:
An overview map of the trail along its entire length is available from the National Park “Appalachian National Scenic Trail” web page.
The AT is uniformly marked with a 2" x 6" white-painted, vertical blaze.
For detailed descriptions of hikes along the AT in NY and NJ click the "Choose another experience" button on this web site. In the search field enter "Appalachian Trail." The majority of these are loop hikes in conjunction with other trails. For AT-only hikes click here. The database includes a few AT hikes in nearby sections of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Two of the few wheelchair accessible sections from Georgia to Maine are in this region:
- A 0.40-mile segment at Bear Mountain State Park (news release). This trail segment is included as part of a summit loop hike.
- A 0.67-mile segment on the Pochuck Boardwalk in Vernon, NJ (trail map with parking information)
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Multiple locations /NY/NJA beautiful 162-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail passes through the New York-New Jersey region.
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.
In the New York-New Jersey area the “AT” goes...
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Multiple locations /NY/NJContact Information
Web Link:
Appalachian Trail ConservancyPhone:
(304) 535-6331Fees:
Some times and places; check with parkDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Driving:
Parking is available in all the parks listed on this site that host a segment of the AT. One spot identified on this web page is where the AT crosses NY-17A near Warwick, NY. GPS Coordinates: 41.244185, -74.287035.
On the Appalachian Trail Region page look for the link “Parking along the AT.” It features parking areas organized by state.
Public Transportation:
Hike descriptions that include the AT will indicate if public transportation (train or bus) is available to a particular trailhead.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Hike descriptions that include the AT will indicate if public transportation (train or bus) is available to a particular trailhead.
BUS TRANSPORT :
Not availableShare Your Experience
Support the trails with a donation!
On Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM a grand opening celebration will be held for the newly completed Appalachian Trail (AT) boardwalk crossing the Great Swamp in Pawling, NY. The event will take place where the AT intersects State Route 22 near the Metro North Railroad Appalachian Trail train station, approximately two miles north of the Village of Pawling. The public is invited. For the rest of the story click here.