Top 10 Hiking Trails in New York City: our selection

Ten ideas. Reasons to pick each one.

Compare 10 hiking ideas in New York City: the duration and the level, then open the trail page for the details.

See the 10 hikes

How to pick the best hiking trails for you?

Three guideposts to compare the ideas in this selection.

The experience

Outings with a good mix of moods and challenges in New York City.

The scenery

Panoramas, forests and remarkable natural settings.

Who it suits

Outings for different levels and moods, from a serious challenge to an easy stroll.

Our 10 hikes in New York City

See all trails in New York City

Alley Pond Park

New York City

Oak-hickory forest, kettle ponds and salt marsh views at the north end of the park.

1 hr Easy

Who is it for?For walkers wanting the giant tulip tree, 350 to 450 years old, and the kettle ponds.

Good to knowTrail guide to download from NYC Parks; dogs on a leash of 1.8 m (6 ft) max.

See the trail page
Van Cortlandt Park

New York City

New York City's third-largest park: 1,146 acres of ridges, forests, wetlands and a lake.

1 hr 30 min Easy

Who is it for?For hikers choosing the John Kieran Trail (1.3 km) or the John Muir Trail (about 3.2 km).

Good to know640 acres are designated Forever Wild; dogs on a leash of 1.8 m (6 ft) max.

See the trail page
Pelham Bay Park

New York City

The city's largest park (2,772 acres), with Kazimiroff loops of 1.5 and 2 km around Hunter Island.

45 min Easy

Who is it for?For hikers wanting a forest-and-shore loop, or the Siwanoy Trail at over 4.8 km (3 mi).

Good to knowThe Kazimiroff loop follows wetlands and reaches Orchard Beach; dogs on a leash.

See the trail page

Clove Lakes Park

New York City

Lakes and ponds lined with red oaks, plus the 2.8 km Blue Trail (one way) through the woods.

1 hr Easy

Who is it for?For walkers who also want a paved loop of under 1.2 km around Brooks Lake.

Good to knowThe Great Tuliptree stands at Clove Rd and Forest Ave; dogs on a 1.8 m (6 ft) leash max.
See the trail page
Prospect Park Lake

New York City

A 60-acre lake and Brooklyn's last upland forest, with trails under 1.5 km.

1 hr 30 min Easy

Who is it for?For walkers wanting short trails, waterfalls and over 250 bird species to spot.

Good to knowTrails range from flat to steep and narrow; dogs on a 1.8 m (6 ft) leash max.
See the trail page
Central Park

New York City

An 843-acre park in the heart of Manhattan, cared for by the Central Park Conservancy, founded in 1980.

2 hr 30 min Easy

Who is it for?For walkers who want a stroll in the city: 42 million visits a year, per the Conservancy.

Good to knowOpen 6 am-1 am, 365 days a year; dogs must be leashed 9 am-9 pm.
See the trail page
Marine Park

New York City

Brooklyn's largest park: 800 acres, 530 of them salt marsh and grassland, with lookouts.

48 min Easy

Who is it for?For those who want to watch shorebirds, turtles and ospreys from lookouts.

Good to knowSalt Marsh Nature Center runs free programs with Urban Park Rangers; dogs on a leash.
See the trail page
Willowbrook Park

New York City

A 215-acre park in Staten Island's Greenbelt, with the White Trail, a pond and a historic stone chimney.

1 hr 15 min Easy

Who is it for?For hikers starting the White Trail, which crosses three Greenbelt parks.

Good to knowPaved, accessible trail around the pond; fishing needs a license, catch and release only.
See the trail page
Fort Tryon Park

New York City

An Olmsted Brothers park above the Hudson: 13 km of pedestrian paths and views of the Palisades.

45 min Easy

Who is it for?For walkers wanting a 0.8 km loop with three overlooks, or the Alpine Garden Trail.

Good to knowStairs on some trails; dogs on a leash of 1.8 m (6 ft) max.
See the trail page
Beginning of High Line

New York City

A public park built on a historic elevated rail line on Manhattan's West Side.

45 min Easy

Who is it for?For step-free walks: elevators in four locations, wheelchairs on advance request.

Good to knowNo dogs except service dogs; 7 am-10 pm April to November, 7 am-8 pm in winter.
See the trail page

How to choose yours?

Clove Lakes Park trail - hiking in New York City

By your level

Short and easy or more demanding: find a hike that suits your experience and your mood.

See all trails in New York City

Prospect Park Lake trail - hiking in New York City

By season

Fall colours, snowy summits, spring flowers: every season offers a different experience.

Explore all regions

Before you book your day

Access, booking, dogs and weather: check the trail page and the site manager.

See our practical tips

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a hike suits my level?

Each trail page gives the level (easy, moderate or hard) and, when it is known, the duration. Compare them with your experience, then add time for breaks and the way back.

Do some trails in New York City require a booking?

It depends on the site. Some trails are in parks that charge an access fee or require a booking: the trail page says so when the information is known, and the site manager's own website remains the reference.

Can I bring my dog?

The trail page says whether dogs are allowed, when the information is known. Always check the site's rules, especially about leashes.