Hiking Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop - panoramic view  tree outdoor water cave river lake mountain nature plant surrounded traveling building land
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Hiking in Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop: trails, map and practical info

Hudson Valley • New York

4.0 Appreciated by 27 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2013Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
42 km
Elevation
52 ft
Duration
10h30

This easy 41.8 km loop along the Hudson River connects multiple state parks including Nyack Beach and Hook Mountain. A 4 to 5 hour adventure through the Hudson Valley with riverfront views and diverse wildlife, just minutes from New York City.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

{
"paragraph_duration": "This variety keeps the long-distance hike engaging throughout its full-day duration (approximately 10+ hours depending on pace and rest stops).",
"practical_info": "Essential gear includes comfortable hiking footwear suitable for mixed terrain, plenty of water for the full day of hiking, and substantial snacks or meals depending on your planned pace and rest stops. The easy difficulty rating shouldn't overshadow the importance of proper preparation for the substantial distance involved—this is an endurance hike rather than a quick outing."
}

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 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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
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
Not available
GPS coordinates
41.15, 41.15
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

To access the hiking trails in this area, you can start at several trailheads. One option is to begin at the Nyack Beach State Park, located at 698 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960. Another starting point is the Hook Mountain State Park entrance, which can be accessed from Rockland Lake Road in Valley Cottage, NY. Both locations offer parking facilities for visitors.

When?

Opening hours
No information
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

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
41.15, 41.15
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.0
15 Reviews
R5
Review 5
Mar 12, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fab!! Completed the full Hudson River Loop - all 41.8km with just 52m elevation gain. The easy difficulty rating is spot on, making this 4-5 hour adventure totally manageable. The scenic river views and well-maintained trail through Rockland County exceeded expectations.
R5
Review 5
Mar 10, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fab!! Completed the full Hudson River Loop and couldn't be happier with this Rockland County gem. The 41.8 km felt rewarding rather than exhausting thanks to the flat profile. Starting from Hook Mountain State Park worked perfectly. Beautiful trail that showcases the best of the Hudson Valley's natural landscapes.
R4
Review 4
Mar 5, 2024
I have lot of funny there walking the entire 41.8km loop! The easy trail with minimal elevation makes it enjoyable for the full 4-5 hour duration. Starting from either Nyack Beach or Hook Mountain State Park, you get amazing Hudson River views throughout this relatively flat but rewarding hiking experience.
R4
Review 4
Mar 2, 2024
I have lot of funny there exploring this extensive Hudson River Loop. The 41.8 km distance might seem daunting, but the easy terrain with minimal elevation makes it very manageable. Great variety of scenery from river views to woodland paths. Perfect day hike that took us about 4.5 hours with plenty of photo stops along the way.
R3
Review 3
Feb 18, 2024
It's a real pleasure to go there and spend 4-5 hours immersed in the Hudson Valley's natural beauty. The easy difficulty rating doesn't diminish the satisfaction of completing this 41.8 km loop. Beautiful river views and peaceful forest sections make every step worthwhile. Highly recommend starting early to fully appreciate the changing landscapes along the route.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
52.00 m
10h30
No
No
The Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop is rated as Easy difficulty. This makes it accessible for most hikers regardless of experience level.
The Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop covers 41.8 km and typically takes 4 to 5 hours to complete. Plan accordingly and bring adequate water and snacks for the duration.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop trail. Please plan to leave your pets at home when visiting this trail.
Yes, the Rockland County, New York Hudson River Loop is suitable for beginners as it's rated Easy difficulty with minimal elevation gain of 52 m. The well-maintained trail makes it an excellent choice for those new to hiking.
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Update : June 2026