6 spectacular hikes near New York City—and you can reach them by train

Famous for its soaring skyscrapers, New York City is not exactly an image of the great outdoors. Yet, escaping from its urban jungle into pristine nature is easier than many visitors realize. One big advantage of the Big Apple is that it offers a stress-free escape into the backcountry by way of mass transit—no driving required, and no traffic jams to slow you down. New York’s extensive network of commuter train lines, including Metro-North and Long Island Railroad, can whisk a traveler to scenic hiking trails of varied difficulty levels in under two hours. So, if you’re tired of glass and concrete, consider taking a train to these six refreshing destinations.

1. Cold Spring Harbor State Park, Long Island, New York

Known for its challenging, hilly, and wooded terrain with stunning views of Cold Spring Harbor, this state park is accessible by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). Inside the park, the Long Island Greenbelt Trail weaves through a dense forest with giant oak trees which red-tailed hawks and songbirds call home. 

George Gorman, Jr., regional director of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, says the park is a year-round attraction, but spring and fall are particularly colorful because of flowers and changing foliage. If you go, save some time for Port Jefferson, a quaint, walkable waterfront village with restaurants and shops.

How to get there: From New York Penn Station, take the Port Jefferson branch of LIRR to the Cold Spring Harbor station. The park entrance is about three miles from the station. If that’s too long a walk, take the Port Jefferson line to Huntington Station and hop on a Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART) bus that stops at the Cold Spring Harbor parking lot.

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2. Storm King State Park, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York

Located in the Hudson Valley on the western shore of the Hudson River, Storm King State Park boasts trails of varying difficulty and length. The park’s longest Highland Trail is five miles of rugged, scenic terrain, weaving through the Hudson Highlands, a moderate-to-difficult level. A shorter trek is the Crossover Trail, which runs along the river and offers views of the water.

The park has no toilets, and some of its trails can test even experienced hikers, cautions Matthew Shook, the chief of staff at the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, which manages the park. 

“Many of the hikes are steep, so folks should be certain they are prepared for a challenge,” he says, adding that winter trekking can be even more difficult because of ice. Regardless of what trails and seasons you choose, you’ll be greeted with gorgeous views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains.

How to get there: From Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Beacon Station, and then a local taxi or a rideshare across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to Cornwall-on-Hudson, a charming riverfront village, where you can enter the park.  

3. Belmont Lake State Park, West Babylon, New York

Belmont Lake State Park is a scenic destination that offers easy wooded hiking trails, picnicking, biking, fishing, birdwatching, horseback riding, and boating (rowboats, pedal boats, and kayaks are available to rent). In the winter, visitors can go cross-country skiing. A picturesque 3.8-mile path that runs along Carll’s Creek connects Belmont Lake and Argyle Lake, each with its own charm. Belmont Lake boasts tall trees and secluded paths, while Argyle Lake welcomes visitors with a historic village charm. Hike along the Belmont Lake and keep an eye out for great blue herons, egrets, and ospreys that dive into the water from the sky to catch fish for their young in the spring. 

How to get there: To reach Belmont Lake State Park, take the LIRR Babylon Branch from Penn Station to Babylon Station. From there, you can walk less than three miles or take a local taxi or rideshare to the park. 

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4. Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Westchester County, New York

Only 30 miles north of New York City, Rockefeller State Park Preserve boasts 55 miles of wide, easy-to-moderate carriage road trails—the wide, broken-stone or gravel paths—which are open year-round, dawn to dusk.

One popular route is the Thirteen Bridges Loop, a meandering two-mile trek along a brook that feeds into the Pocantico River. Reaching the loop, however, takes more walking. To access the Thirteen Bridges Loop, visitors should be prepared for a five-mile hike down Old Sleepy Hollow Road Trail from the preserve’s main entrance—but it’s worth it. The loop includes 13 charming old stone footbridges, and none of which are the same. 

While in Sleepy Hollow, consider visiting the Rockwood Hall, which overlooks the Hudson River and is home to the remaining foundation of William Avery Rockefeller Jr.’s country estate. In spring, visitors come to see the blooming peony trees, and in fall, the preserve offers Hulda’s Night, a walking ghost tour, and a chance to encounter the famous headless horseman. “If you go once, you’ll find yourself visiting again and again,” says Linda Cooper, regional director for NYS Parks. 

How to get there: There are two ways to reach the preserve from Grand Central Station by Metro-North: take either the Hudson Line to Tarrytown Station or the Harlem Line to Pleasantville Station. The preserve’s main entrance is a short taxi or rideshare drive from either station. 

5. Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Cold Spring, New York

Massive and undeveloped, Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve stretches for 6,000 acres along the eastern side of the Hudson River in New York State. A thriving ecosystem, it is home to a variety of wildlife, just 50 miles north of New York City. Within the park, the Camp Smith Trail is a moderate-to-strenuous trek, ranging from four to six miles, depending on the route. Described by some as the most rugged trail in the county, it features steep, staircase-like climbs and huge boulders. The arduous workout is rewarded by panoramic views of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain Bridge. 

How to get there: Take Metro-North Hudson Line to the Peekskill Station; the park is a short cab ride away.

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6. Franny Reese State Park, Highland, New York

Franny Reese State Park offers several easy hiking and biking trails. The longest, Walkway Loop Trail of about 3.6 miles, boasts thrilling river views and connections to other local parks and trails. Slightly short of a mile, the Yellow Trail takes visitors past the stone walls and ruins of the Cedar Glen Estate, a 19th-century mansion, built by Henry Roberts, a Poughkeepsie dentist who invented the first dental anesthetic. 

In the winter, people can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the park, says Seth McKee. executive director of the Scenic Hudson Land Trust & Land Programs, which manages the park. There’s also a scenic overlook perched right above the Mid-Hudson Bridge, with breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River and the city of Poughkeepsie.

How to get there: Visiting Franny Reese State Park is a special treat. Half the fun is traveling there because, after getting off the Metro-North Hudson Line in Poughkeepsie, visitors must cross the Walkway Over the Hudson, recognized as the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, towering 200 feet above the river to enter the park.

“This bridge is higher than any New York City bridge,” says Seth McKee, and adds that the panoramic views are unmatched.