Hiking Bear Mountain Bridge - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Bear Mountain Bridge: trails, map and practical info

Hudson Valley • New York

4.5 Appreciated by 18 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
6 km
Elevation
764 ft
Duration
2h30
Max altitude
1,283 ft

Cross the iconic Bear Mountain Bridge spanning the Hudson River in New York's Hudson Valley, then explore 5.6 km of moderate terrain with 396 m elevation gain. This 2.5-hour hike uniquely combines a historic 1924 suspension bridge with access to the Appalachian Trail and panoramic river views.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Bear Mountain Bridge? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

Trail Options and Hiking Experiences

Multiple trail options serve different experience levels. The Bear Mountain Bridge area offers a 1-mile easy walk perfect for quick nature escapes (approximately 20 minutes), or for more serious hikers, a 5.6 km moderate route featuring 396 meters of elevation gain with rocky terrain and forest sections.

The most famous trail connection is the Appalachian Trail, which crosses directly over the Bear Mountain Bridge, giving hikers the unique opportunity to walk a section of America's most legendary long-distance trail. For those seeking panoramic views, the Anthony's Nose trail delivers exceptional vistas of both the bridge and the Hudson Highlands.

[RETAIN OTHER SECTIONS AS-IS]

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Garrison, NY 10524, USA
GPS coordinates
41.3199471, -73.9831007
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The bear mountain bridge is located in the town of Cortlandt, New York. To get to the start of the trails, take the Bear Mountain Parkway exit off of the Palisades Interstate Parkway. The parkway will take you right to the bridge.

When?

Opening hours
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
41.3199471, -73.9831007
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.5
1 Reviews
A
Anonymous
Jan 15, 2024
The Bear Mountain Bridge offers spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. The 396m elevation gain provides a good workout over 4-5 hours, making it perfect for a half-day adventure. Access via Bear Mountain Parkway is straightforward, though parking fees apply. The bridge itself is an iconic landmark worth the effort to reach.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Moderate
764.00 m
1283.00 m
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
2h30
No
No
The Bear Mountain Bridge trail is 5.6 km long. Combined with the moderate difficulty rating and 396 m elevation gain, this makes it a moderately challenging day hike in the Hudson Valley.
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Update : June 2026