best hikes in new york using metro north

Where to Find the Best Hikes in New York

September 6, 2022
best hikes in new york city

Do you want to escape the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the city life? Or do you love to be outside? Well, then you are in the right place. Here you will find the best hikes in New York. I myself, am an avid hiker, and have hiked MOST of these hikes listed, and personally recommend them. In addition, if I haven’t hiked them, then they are on my bucket-list. So, here are the best hikes in New York.

After reading this post, you will know the best fall hikes in New York, the best hikes in the Catskills, and the best hikes in upstate NY. Also, you will know the best hikes within 2 hours of NYC, the best hikes in central New York, and the best hiking trails in New York with waterfalls.

This post is all about the best hikes in New York.

Best Hikes in New York:

1. Best Fall Hikes in New York

best hikes in New York
Indian Head
Chimney Mountain

Would you love to hike some of these trails above? Well, you can! The above images are of Indian Head and Chimney Mountains in the Adirondacks. Specifically, I like to hike these trails in the fall time. Which, if you didn’t know is one of the BEST times to go hiking in New York.

I really enjoy hiking in the Adirondacks during the fall time. But, the Catskills are also a great place to hike during the fall. The Adirondacks are spread throughout a vast area of land in upstate New York. Thus, based on the trails you hike, from NYC, you can be driving anywhere from 4-6 hours, depending on the traffic and the location. In addition, from Boston, the Adirondacks, are about 5 hours and from Burlington, Vermont they are about 2 hours. 

The list below has some of my favorite and best fall hikes in New York. They are ordered in level of difficulty, Mount Jo being the easiest and Whiteface & Ester Mountains being the most difficult.

  • Mount Jo, High Peaks Wilderness: Lake Placid, NY about 5-5 &1/2 hours from NYC (have to pay $15 to park at the Adk Lodge).
  • Artist’s Rock & Sunset Rock, Catskill Park: Palenville, NY about 2 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Castle Rock, Sargent Ponds Wild Forest: Blue Mountain Lake, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Chimney Mountain, Siamese Ponds Wilderness: North River, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Giant’s Nubble, Giant Mountain Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Catamount, Taylor Pond Wild Forest: Wilmington, NY about 5-5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Haystack Mountain (NOT the 46er), McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area: Lake Placid, NY about 5-5 &1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Owl’s Head Lookout, Giant Mountain Wilderness: Elizabethtown, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Bald Peak, Giant Mountain Wilderness: New Russia/Elizabethtown, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower, Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: Keene, NY about 4-5 hours from NYC.
  • Indian Head and (optional) Rainbow Falls, Adirondack Mountain Reserve: Keene, NY, about 5 hours from NYC.
  • Noonmark and/or Round Mountains, Dix Mountain Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY, about 5 hours from NYC.
  • Whiteface & Ester (only Ester if completing your 46), Wilmington Wild Forest: Wilmington, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
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click here boxes

These are the best fall hikes in New York.

{Related Post: 11 of the Best Adirondack Towns That Nobody Knows About}

best hikes in New York
Catamount Mountain
best hikes in New York
Rainbow Falls

2. Best Hikes in the Catskills

Now, if you still want to do some hiking but you don’t want the long drive, then the Catskill Mountains are for you. The Catskills are only 2-3 hours from NYC, again, depending on where you go. However, in my opinion, the Adirondacks have FAR better views than the Catskills. Thus, I highly recommend if you have the time to plan your Upstate New York travels in the Adirondacks than the Catskills. Although, if you just want a nice day trip, then the Catskills are perfect for you.

Here are the best hikes in the Catskills. Again, this list is ordered in level of difficulty, the easier ones being at the top, and the harder ones being at the bottom.

TripAdvisor Lake Placid

These are the best hikes in the Catskills.

best fall hikes in catskills
Artist’s Rock
best fall hikes in catskills
Twin Mountain & Indian Head

{Related Post: Hiking in the Catskills}

3. Best Hikes in Upstate NY

best hikes in new york
Noonmark Mountain
best hikes in new york
Wright Peak

Wonder where these pictures are from, and how to get to there? These pictures are of Noonmark Mountain and Wright Peak. These are some of the best hikes throughout Upstate New York.

Now, New York is a HUGE state, but most people don’t know it past NYC. However, New York actually has SO MANY different regions, towns, and mountain ranges. That’s right, mountains! Having said this, the list below will help you navigate the different hikes in Upstate New York and where to find them in.

Again, these trails are listed in order of difficulty, the easier ones being at the top of the list, and the more difficult ones being at the bottom.

  • Silver Lake Mountain, Taylor Pond Wild Forest: Au Sable Forks, NY about 5 hours from NYC.
  • Devil’s Hole, Devil’s Hole State Park: Niagara Falls, NY about 7 hours from NYC.
  • Blueberry Mountain, High Peaks Wilderness: Keene, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Bear Den, Whiteface Mountain Resort: Wilmington, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Gorge Trail Watkins Glen State Park: Watkins, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Wakely Fire Tower, Moose River Plains Wild Forest: Sabael, NY about 5 hours from NYC.
  • Mount Van Hoevenberg, High Peaks Wilderness: Lake Placid, NY about 5 hours from NYC.
  • Ampersand, High Peaks Wilderness: Saranac Lake, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Peaked Mountain, Siamese Ponds Wilderness: North River, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Hopkins, Giant Mountain Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Rooster Comb and/or Snow Mountains, High Peaks Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Tongue Mountain Range (rattle snakes), Lake George Wild Forest: Bolton Landing, NY about 4 hours from NYC.
  • Wright, Algonquin, Iroquois (all 46ers), High Peaks Wilderness: Lake Placid, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Mount Colden (46er), High Peaks Wilderness: Lake Placid, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Panther Mountain (whole Santanoni Range, if completing 46), High Peaks Wilderness: Newcomb, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Gothics (or all Lower Great Range, also 46er), High Peaks Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Mount Marcy, Gray, Skylight (all 46ers), High Peaks Wilderness: Lake Placid, NY about 5 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
  • Haystack, Basin, Saddleback (pretty much any of the 46ers), High Peaks Wilderness: Keene Valley, NY about 4 & 1/2 hours from NYC.
TripAdvisor Lake Placid

{Related Post: Easy Hikes in Upstate NY & Adirondack 46ers}

These are the best hikes throughout Upstate New York.

4. Best Hikes Within 2 Hours of NYC

hikes within 2 hours of nyc
hikes within 2 hours of nyc

I’m guessing if you’re reading this section, you live in NYC and you don’t want to venture too far. Thus, the trails listed below are perfect for little day trips from the city. The list below has the best hikes within 2 hours of NYC. Again, they are in the same order of difficulty as the previous lists.

TripAdvisor Lake Placid

These are the best hikes within 2 hours of NYC.

5. Best Hikes in Central New York

central new york hiking
central hikes in new york

Personally, I am from the capital region of New York (Albany area). The capital region is closest to the Catskill and Adirondack mountains. Thus, I know those mountain ranges best. Therefore, to find the best hikes in central New York, I had to do some research and ask my friends that live in those areas. Based on what I found, these are the best hikes in central New York and the Finger Lakes region.

TripAdvisor Lake Placid

{Related Post: Keene Vally NY & Lake Placid New York}

These are the best hikes in central New York.

6. Best Hiking Trails in New York with Waterfalls

hiking trails in new york with waterfalls

Are you more of a scenic hiker, that only wants 1-4 miles maximum to hike. Well, then hiking to different waterfalls is great for you. New York state has some incredible waterfalls, I mean, hello, Niagara Falls is here! Similarly, if you want to see some smaller waterfalls, New York has got them too. Below you will find some of my favorite and the best hiking trails in New York with waterfalls.

Again, these are ordered from easiest to hardest trails.

These are the best hiking trails in New York with waterfalls.

And that concludes all of the best hikes in New York. This post included the best fall hikes in New York, and the best hikes in the Catskills. Also, the best hikes in Upstate New York, and the best hikes within 2 hours of NYC. In addition, this post included, the best hikes in central New York and the best hiking trails in New York with waterfalls.

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