10 Beautiful Fall Hikes Near NYC That Are Worth The Trek Upstate
Whether you’re looking for some seasonal exercise or the perfect fall getaway, nothing goes better together than autumn and hiking! The weather is crisp, the leaves are changing color, and it’s time to strap on your hiking boots. We’ve put together a list all of our favorite hiking spots that are only a drive away from NYC…and that are actually worth the trek! From the challenging rock scrambles of Breakneck Ridge to the serene paths of the Catskill Scenic Trail, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s our list of Secret NYC-approved hiking trails that you should cross off your fall bucket list:
1. Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain State Park is a frequent fall hiking spot for seasoned vets, since many of them are challenging climbs with rewarding views. There’s a 4.2-mile trail loop in the park, which includes sections of the Major Welch Trail and Appalachian Trail, and features steep ascents and over 1,000 stone steps. We recommend setting aside 2 – 3 hours if you plan to do the whole trail, since it can be strenuous at points and there’s plenty of viewing spots to admire along the way!
What we really advise is turning this fall hike into a fall getaway, and booking a night at the historic Bear Mountain Inn to get the full autumnal experience.
3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY (Bear Mountain State Park)
1 hour
2. Mt Van Hoevenberg
Way up in the Adirondacks you’ll find Mt. Van Hoevenberg, whose scenic hike elevates you all the way up to a 2,940-foot summit. You can access the peak via two routes: the East Trail, which is 1.8 miles one way, and the West Trail, which is 2.2 miles one way, both providing a moderate hiking experience with some steep sections. When you get to the top, you’ll be greeted to sweeping views of the High Peaks Wilderness…just colored in autumn reds and oranges. It’s one of, if not our favorite Adirondacks hike.
While you’re at the Mt Van Hoevenburg premises, be sure to try out the Cliffside Coaster, America’s longest mountain roller coaster through the foliage.
Lake Placid, NY
5 hours
3. Letchworth State Park Gorge Trail
There’s a reason they call this trail the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and it’s because you’ve probably never seen waterfalls and beautiful fall colors like this before. The gorge trail sits inside Letchworth State Park and is a 7-mile (one-way) hike that meanders along the Genessee River and has a countless number of incredible vantage points. While it’s a hefty length in all, feel free to choose how far you wish to hike. When we say it’s worth making the absolute trek to Western New York for these waterfalls (over 5 hours driving), we mean it.
Letchworth State Park
5 hours, 30 minutes
4. Breakneck Ridge
Just over an hour from Grand Central Station via Metro-North, Breakneck Ridge has rose to fame in recent years as a popular fall hike, and we also give it a stamp of approval. The Hudson Valley trailhead has several routes, ranging from a short 1-mile loop to a longer 4.5-mile trek to Cold Spring, and is quite rewarding thanks to the panoramic views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains. It’s one of the most accessible fall hikes from NYC, which also makes it one of the busiest (especially on the weekends).
472 Bear Mountain-Beacon Hwy, Cold Spring, NY
1 hour, 30 minutes
5. Glen Creek Gorge Trail
The Finger Lakes region in general is a rich hub of hiking spots, but one of our favorites is The Glen Creek Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park. During the fall, hikers can embark on a breathtaking 1.5-mile (one-way) journey…walking on stone staircases and idyllic bridges past 19 waterfalls and narrow gorges. The iconic Rainbow Falls is along the route, a natural beauty that’s truly ethereal and creates a magical environment amongst the changing foliage. If you go, try to go on off-hours as it gets busy, and be sure to wear proper footwear as it’s often wet due to the falls!
Watkins Glen State Park
4 hours, 30 minutes
6. Gertrude’s Nose Loop
This 6.7-mile trail in the Hudson Valley is pretty awesome, and in the fall you can catch the changing fall colors of the Shawangunk Mountains from the summit of the hike. Starting at Lake Minnewaska, the trail winds through rocky outcrops and cliffside paths, ending up at this cinematic lookout called “The Nose” that juts out into the fall terrain. We recommend doing this hike on a counterclockwise route to tackle challenging sections first and enjoy breathtaking panoramas at the end.
5281 US-44 #55, Kerhonkson, NY
2 hours from NYC
7. Catskill Scenic Trail
With over 26 miles of hiking trails to choose from, Catskill Scenic Trail runs between Bloomville and Roxbury, New York, offering a once-in-a-lifetime fall adventure through farm fields, alongside the Delaware River, and past small Catskill towns. The original path was created for the Ulster & Delaware Railroad which ran until 1932, and n0w serves as one of the best trails in Upstate New York. With so much territory, there’s plenty of area to hike in because you’ll get the best foliage views no matter what.
Delaware County, New York
2+ hours from NYC
8. Anthony’s Nose
Anthony’s Nose is a shorter hike on this list, but it still offers hikers a great glimpse of some fall foliage. It’s about a 2 mile roundtrip hike with a 700 feet elevation gain and a great summit view. It’s right near Bear Mountain (which we talked about earlier on this list), so it’s another great option to pair with that if you have an extra hour or two to spare! The best part is you can even take Metro-North to get up to Cortlandt Manor, NY where this breathtaking hike awaits.
Hudson Highlands in Cortlandt Manor, NY
1 hour, 30 minutes from NYC
9. Storm King Mountain
Storm King Mountain is a great hiking trail all year round, but it’s particular best in the fall when you can take in the panoramic foliage views over the Hudson River and surrounding mountains. The 2.5 to 2.7-mile loop trail is pretty moderate in terms of difficulty, and has a few steep sections, particularly at the start when ascending Butter Hill. Nonetheless, the rewarding aerial view at the top is so worth it, especially if you go early in the morning or on weekdays when it’s not crowded. For best access to the trail and parking, look around Route 9W!
Storm King State Park
1 hour, 45 minutes from NYC
10. High Falls Gorge
Dubbed the “Adirondack’s most breathtaking 30 minute walk,” the High Falls Gorge is absolutely stunning, especially during the fall. For a small price ($18 tickets), you can stroll along the ever-flowing Ausable River and catch a glimpse of the four cascading waterfalls set amongst the peak fall foliage of the Adirondacks. This hike is a full-on attraction, with an accompanying cafe and gift shop, which you can check out after taking a little hike across steel bridges, walkways, and groomed walking trails.
This trail is home to the Climax Forest (a protected forest area of established American hemlock trees that are hundreds of years old), “The Ancient Valley of Foaming Water” (a mesmerizing, deep crevice carved by the AuSable River thousands of years ago), and much more.
4761 NYS Route 86, Wilmington, NY
5+ hours from NYC
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