Cold Spring, New York is a charming village in the Hudson Valley that is located along the shores of the Hudson River in Putnam County. The town of Cold Spring is filled with historic sites, natural beauty, a cute downtown, and scenic hiking trails. Most of the hiking trails in Cold Spring NY are located in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. They vary in skill level from easy to challenging hikes so there is a trail for everyone. In this travel guide, I will be sharing some of the best hiking trails in the Cold Spring NY area.
How to Get to Cold Spring
Cold Spring is a popular destination to visit and makes a perfect day trip idea from New York City. Since the village of Cold Spring is a short drive or train ride away from the city, I recommend getting to your hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Here are two ways to get to Cold Spring from New York City:
Train
You can take the Metro North train from Grand Central terminal in New York City and take it to the Cold Spring train station. The train ride typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the train you take. The ticket costs $27 round trip. The ride is also pretty cool since you get scenic views of the Hudson River along the way.
Car
The drive from New York City to Cold Spring generally takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Having a car in Cold Spring is super convenient since you can park right by the hiking trails and don’t have to worry about walking or calling a cab.
Best Time to Visit Cold Spring
The best time to visit the hiking trails in Cold Spring NY is in the spring and fall. The spring (March to May) is a popular time to visit since temperatures are beginning to warm up, but it is not hot and humid yet. The trails are also blooming with flowers. My favorite time to visit is during the fall (September to November) since the trails will have amazing views of fall foliage. The peak fall foliage in Cold Spring is around mid-October.
Best Hiking Trails in Cold Spring NY
Breakneck Ridge Trail
The Breakneck Ridge Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Cold Spring NY. It is a challenging and strenuous loop trail and known as the hardest hike in the Hudson Highlands. The trail has steep ascents and rock scrambles.
There are four options that you can take on this trail. You can do the Breakneck Short Loop which is one mile that takes one hour, the Breakneck Moderate Loop that is 2.1 miles and takes 2 hours, the Breakneck Long Loop that is 2.8 miles and takes 3 hours, or the Breakneck to Cold Spring which is 4.5 miles and takes 4 hours. There are clear directions for each route option.
No matter which trail you choose, the start of the trail begins at sea level and scrambles up a little over 1,000 feet in less 3/4 of a mile. This is very steep! At some points, it felt like I was rock climbing! There are also plenty of stops along the way where you can take a break and check out the views. It was one of the most thrilling hikes I’ve ever done. At the end of the hike, you are rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the Hudson River.
Since this is a difficult hike, make sure you wear sturdy hiking boots and pack the essentials like water and snacks. Also, please be mindful of the weather conditions and plan accordingly.
There is no official parking for this trail, but you can park on the side of the road. I recommend getting there early to get a good spot and to avoid the crowds.
Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus)
The Bull Hill (Mt Taurus) trail is a moderate to challenging hike. There are two options for this hike: Bull Hill Short Loop which is 4.6 miles and takes 2-3 hours or the Bull Hill Full Loop which is 5.5 miles and takes 3-4 hours. The short loop essentially cuts across the mountain, making it one mile shorter.
For the Bull Hill Short Loop, you will follow the Washburn White Trail to the Undercliff Yellow Trail to the Brook Red Trail to the Cornish Blue Trail and then return to the starting point.
For the Bull Hill Long Loop, you will follow the Washburn White Trail to the Notch Blue Trail to the Brook Red Trail to the Cornish Blue Trail and then return to the starting point.
This is a moderately difficult hike that gains nearly 1,500 feet of elevation in two miles before descending down into the forest. These loops will give you fantastic views of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. You will also get to see views of the ruins of the Cornish Estate.
If you have a car, you can park in the Bull Hill parking lot which is located right across from Little Stony Point. You can also just put “Little Stony Point” or “Washburn Trail” if you have trouble finding it since they are in the same area.
Little Stony Point Trail
If you are looking for an easy and effortless hike with great views of the Hudson River, the Little Stony Point trail is a great hike to do! It is a 1.3 mile loop trail that takes about 20 minutes to get to the top of Little Stony Point.
This also makes a great spot to visit after completing a more challenging hike or if you weren’t planning on hiking and just want to see the views. If you visit in the summer, this trail leads to a sandy beach that you can lounge in. Please keep in mind that swimming is prohibited.
The shops and restaurants of downtown Cold Spring are within walking distance of this trail, including the train station, which makes it super convenient!
Undercliff / Overcliff Trail Loop
This iconic hike is an easy 5.3 mile loop trail that is also one of the most popular rock climbing locations in the United States. The hike is entirely on historic carriage roads so it is a popular trail for walking, cycling, and even horseback riding. When it snows, it’s also great for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. This trail has some of the best viewpoints of Wallkill Valley and the Catskills.
You can park in the West Trapps parking lot for $15 and the trail starts at the end of the parking lot. The trail can be done in either direction.
Old Forge Loop Trail
If you are looking for another quick and easy hike, check out the Old Forge Loop Trail in the West Point Foundry Preserve. It is a 1.6 mile loop trail where you will pass historic ruins from the West Point Foundry, a waterfall, and the unique ecosystem of the Constitution Marsh.
If you are arriving by train, this trail is super convenient since the start of the trail begins at the Cold Spring train station. If you are driving to Cold Spring, you can park in the parking lot at the West Foundry Preserve free of charge.
Anthony’s Nose
Anthony’s Nose is one of the most popular hiking trails in Cold Spring NY. It is a moderate out and back 1.9 mile hike.
The trail immediately starts off as a steady uphill climb for half of a mile. Follow the white trail markers which are designated for the Appalachian Trail and then follow the blue trail markers for the Camp Smith Trail which will lead you to Anthony’s Nose. You will know you got to the top when you see an American flag waving in the wind. You will also be rewarded with a great view of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge.
There is no parking lot for this trail – only roadside parking is available. Space is limited and goes quickly so make sure you get there early.
Cornish Estate Trail
This is one of the most interesting and easiest hiking trails in Cold Spring NY. This short trail leads you to the ruins of a stone estate dating back to 1910. You can explore the house’s remains and various structures like a swimming pool and greenhouse.
This is an easy 1.8 mile out and back hike that is a mostly paved trail. It is perfect for hikers of all ages and skill levels. You can park in the Little Stony Point parking area and follow the blue trail markers.
Storm King Mountain
Storm King Mountain is a moderate 2.4 mile loop trail that is situated on the west side of the Hudson River. It is another one of my favorite hiking trails in Cold Spring NY. It starts off as a steep uphill climb and then flattens out to a more leisurely hike through a forest area. Throughout this trail, you get to scale up two mountains: Butter Hill and Storm King. You will also get to see a bunch of awesome viewpoints. At the end of the hike, you will have a 360 degree views of the Hudson Valley.
For this trail, you can park on the side of the road and I recommend starting with the orange trail markers.
Mount Beacon Fire Tower
The Mount Beacon Fire Tower trail is a difficult out and back hike. Beacon Mountain is actually the tallest point in the Hudson Highlands. At the top of the mountain is the Beacon Fire Tower which was used in the 1970s as a fire observation tower. Most of the time, the fire tower is open for you to climb to the top to see the view.
This trail is located in the town of Beacon which is only a 15 minute drive from Cold Spring. If you are taking the train, there is a Beacon train stop in the Metro North train line. Once you get to the Beacon train station, there is actually a bus that goes from the train station directly to the Mount Beacon Fire Tower trail head. This bus runs every thirty minutes.
There are several routes that you can take on this hike. You can take the South Beacon Mountain via Casino Trail. The trail starts from the Mount Beacon parking lot and it is 3.7 miles roundtrip. This is a very popular trail and easy to follow.
A second route you can take is to follow the Beacon Fire Tour via Casino, Wilkinson Memorial, and Breakneck Ridge Trail. If you are looking for more of a challenge, you can follow this trail! This hike is around 5 miles. You will follow the Casino Trail, but before reaching the tower, you will loop around the forest and scramble up the rockier side of the mountain.
A third option is following the Casino, Fire Tower, Scofield Ridge, Lambs Hill, and Rainbow Falls trail. This is the longer version of the Casino trail, but after reaching the fire tower, you will keep going through Hudson Highlands to see more parts of the park. You will even get to see a waterfall along the way! This loop is a challenging 7.1 miles.
If you plan on taking one of the trails that are more than just the Casino Trail, I recommend using the trail tracking app, All Trails, to make sure you are following the right trail.
If you have time or are staying in the area for a weekend, you can also explore the town of Beacon. It is a super cute town filled with cute shops, charming cafes, art museums, and historic landmarks.
Other Things to do in Cold Spring
If you have time after your hike, I definitely recommend checking out the town of Cold Spring! Here are some fun things to do:
- Explore Main Street: Cold Spring’s Main Street is filled with quaint shops, boutiques, and antique stores that you can explore.
- Visit Art Galleries: Cold Spring has a thriving arts community. Visit the work of local artists in the town’s art galleries and studios.
- Check Out Historical Sites: Explore historical sites like the Chapel of Our Lady and the Old Methodist Church to learn about the village’s history and architecture.
- Farmer’s Market: Check out Cold Spring’s farmer’s market from May to October for fresh produce and handmade goods.
- Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: If you visit during the summer, consider attending a performance at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.
- Hudson River Cruise: Take a scenic cruise on the Hudson River to enjoy breathtaking views.
- Grab Food: Cold Spring has a variety of restaurants and cafes where you can grab breakfast before a hike or lunch afterwards!
- Treat Yourself to Ice Cream: After an adventurous hike, treat yourself to some ice cream at Moo Moo’s Creamery!
