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New York state is most well-known for New York City, which there’s no doubt is a very special city, however there’s much more to see than just the city sights and when you venture out a little further, you’ll find some incredible natural beauties that are well worth exploring.
New York is home to some truly amazing hikes, not only are the stunning Adirondack Mountain Range, and the Catskill Mountains just a few hours north of the city, roughly 90 miles of the Appalachian Trail passes through the state of New York.
We’ve created a list of some of the most amazing hikes to explore in the state of New York that cover a range of different lengths and abilities:
1. The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park
This is an excellent hike that the whole family can enjoy, as it can be completed easily and is under a mile and a half long, yet it is still one of the most beautiful hikes in New York. The trail winds through a canyon with sheer cliffs, and you will pass two waterfalls along the way, before reaching the stunning Cavern Cascade Falls. Water plunges 52 feet over the rock face and as the trail passes behind the waterfall you have the unique opportunity to reach out and touch the flowing water.
2. The Trail at Devils Hole
Niagara Falls is likely the most well-known natural attraction in the state of New York, however Devils Hole offers a quieter spot that still offers some of the most stunning views along the Niagara River. Along this 2.5 mile moderate hike you will get to see an amazing view of whitewater rapids before arriving at the unique Devils Hole itself, which is an impressively large whirlpool. Devils hole park also has several picnic areas, and makes for a nice spot to stop for lunch during your adventuring.
3. Whiteface Mountain Trail
Located in the Northeast of the state, the Adirondack mountains are home to a number of amazing trails to explore, with one of the best being Whiteface Mountain. Being the 5th highest mountain in the state at nearly 5,000 feet you’d expect the 9 mile journey to the top to be a tough one, however it is surprisingly moderate and the mix of forest covered sections, open trail, wildflowers and panoramic views of Vermont and Canada from the top all make it well worth it.
4. Mount Jo Loop Trail
Another excellent hike located in the Adirondack Mountains is the Mount Jo Loop trail. This 2-mile walk starts at Adirondack Loj, North Elba and is excellent for families or for those looking for amazing views without having to spend the whole day hiking to get there.
Although it isn’t one of the biggest mountains in the area at 869 feet, Mount Jo offers a lot of bang for your buck providing stunning views of not only the high peaks of the Adirondacks to the South but also of beautiful Heart Lake.
If you’d like to add on to this loop, we recommend doing the two and a half mile Mirror Lake Loop around Lake Placid (this track is a fifteen-minute drive from Mount Jo).
5. Breakneck Ridge Hike
Although this 9.6 mile hike is quite demanding and requires a certain level of nimbleness to complete, it is well worth the effort! Part of the trail includes scaling the mountain ridge to reach the summit, which means this trail is not suited to families or children. The view at the top is absolutely stunning - you’re going to want to bring your camera for this one – you will be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley.
6. Trail at Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm is a long and narrow gorge in the Northern part of the state (around 30 minutes from the Canadian border) and features stunning views throughout. There are several different routes to adventure through this chasm, most of which are short and easy paths making this an excellent area for families and groups of all abilities to explore.
There are options to take the inner tube route along the river or other trails that traverse the chasm itself. This stunning area has been dubbed the Grand Canyon of the East and for good reason!
Be sure to get your camera ready and stop to enjoy the view from the Ausable Chasm bridge as you enter. There’s also options to go tubing, rafting, rock climbing and complete other outdoor activities within the chasm.
7. Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail
Just a quick drive away from Watkins Glen State Park there are a selection of short (but tough) hikes that lead to Buttermilk Falls. The waterfall itself is stunning as well as the surrounding area, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the views and also pack you bathing suit to take advantage of the beautiful clear pool at the base of the falls. Dogs are also welcome on this trail, however they need to be kept on a leash. As this is a popular spot we recommend going early on in the day (especially in Summer) to beat the crowds.
8. Verkeerder Kill Falls Hike
Located in the Shawangunk Mountains this seven mile journey passes through some amazing sites including ice caves that stay frozen even when the rest of NY is scorching hot!
Of course, the major attraction is the waterfall itself, at an impressive 185ft the falls is extraordinary and makes this hike one of the best in New York!
Following your hike be sure to stop in the neighboring town of Woodstock which has several places to grab a well deserved bite to eat and drink to cool off.
We hope this list has given you some inspiration to get out and explore New York beyond the city limits, to experience some of the incredible natural sites on offer.