Hiking
“Hiking” page last updated
Thursday, January 12, 2012
On this page:
Other pages in our online Trail Guide:
Trails are open year-round
during daylight hours only.
Click to
check current hours of operation (posted on our home page).
Perhaps owing to our proximity to New York City, many first-time Palisades hikers are surprised at how rugged our trails can get. Please be prepared! Some tips:
Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. This is just good hiking sense, no matter where you go.
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes that are not brand new. Ankle support is crucial, especially on the Giant Stairs. Shoes not broken in will likely cause blisters.
Take care of your body. Bring plenty of water (and drink it as you go). Some basic first aid supplies are always a good idea, too, as are some snacks.
Dress or pack for all possible weather conditions predicted for that day. Layers are the wisest way to dress for the outdoors—you can add or subtract as you go. We also strongly recommend long-sleeved clothing, even in warmer weather. Poison ivy thrives on the Palisades; ticks are common. Long clothing with a spray of repellant at the cuffs is your best defense.
Look out for poisonous snakes. The copperhead snake is relatively common here, if seldom seen. Snakes tend to be shy, so simply watch your step—and don’t reach where you cannot see...
Your dog is welcome to enjoy our trails with you, but must at all times be kept on a leash (see “Perils of the Palisades”). Please clean up your pet’s waste.
About bikes: The steepness and erodibility of our trails make them unsuitable for bikes. Violators are subject to fine ($75, 2 pts. on license).
Accident, fire, emergency: 201 768-6001
Hikers can find access to the trails in the NJ Section from all picnic areas and overlooks, as well as from Park Headquarters and Fort Lee Historic Park. Fees and restrictions may apply. Additional access can be gained from the following points, listed south to north. Note that these are outside the confines of the park—please be sure to follow all local regulations regarding parking, etc. (When in doubt, call the appropriate Borough Hall or Police Department.)
Are you coming by public transportation?
Southern Park Entrance
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. By the Edgewater–Fort Lee border, at the southern entrance to Henry Hudson Drive and the Shore Trail’s southern trailhead. Parking is not permitted here.George Washington Bridge North Pedestrian Walkway
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. Ideal trail access for those who walk across the Bridge from Manhattan, or those who take a bus to the Bridge Plaza (about two blocks west). Access can be gained to the southern trailhead for the Long Path the same way you would gain access to the northern bridge walkway, from the steel stairway from Hudson Terrace. This stairway splits; follow the part that goes into the woods. Some street parking on Hudson Terrace may be available, but read all signs carefully.Linwood Park (Toll Plaza) Overpass
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee. Street parking is available at the overpass about 0.5 mi. north of Fort Lee Historic Park—observe all parking signs carefully. Stairs go up to the overpass on the west side of Hudson Terrace. Follow the walkway along the overpass, across the toll plaza approach, then down the stairs into the woods. Immediate access to the Long Path and to the top of Carpenter’s Trail is available here. Parking here is always subject to very restricted availability—parking in this area may be further restricted by snow.Old Closter Dock Road (bus stop)
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine. About 0.25 mi. north of Closter Dock Road. Up to about twelve cars can park on the wide shoulder of Rt. 9W (do not block bus stop). A tunnel beneath the Parkway provides access to the Closter Dock Trail and the Long Path. Parking in this area may be restricted by snow.Pedestrian Bridge (bus stop)
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine. About 2 mi. north of Closter Dock Road. Up to about twelve cars can park on the wide shoulder of Rt. 9W, where the Forest View Trail crosses the Parkway on a pedestrian bridge (this is just south of a similar pedestrian bridge that crosses Rt. 9W itself, for the benefit of Boy Scouts hiking to nearby Camp Alpine, about 0.5 mi. north of the Japanese restaurant). This entrance point provides the most convenient access to Women’s Federation Monument. Parking in this area may be restricted by snow.Lamont-Doherty Entrance (bus stop)
U.S. Route 9W, Alpine, immediately at the state line. Pedestrian and bicycle (on paved surfaces) access only by the old cement highway that leads to State Line Lookout—no parking available.
Two main trails each cover most of the approximately 13-mile length of the Park, here described south-to-north. Both have been designated National Recreation Trails:
Shore Trail (white)
The Shore Trail begins just outside the Visitor Center at Fort Lee Historic Park, goes down the entrance road to the Historic Park and then follows Hudson Terrace south to the southern park entrance at the Edgewater–Fort Lee border, descends to the Hudson River, then follows north along the Hudson’s shore, eventually crossing the Giant Stairs and on to Peanut Leap Cascade, where it steeply ascends back to the cliff top just north of the New York–New Jersey state line, ending at its junction with the Long Path. Except for the Giant Stairs and the northern terminus, the trail covers easy to moderate terrain.
Long Path (aqua)
The Long Path follows the top of the cliffs from just outside the Visitor Center at Fort Lee Historic Park to the state line on U.S. Route 9W. (It then continues into New York State.) The trail covers easy to moderate terrain throughout. Click for a mile-by-mile description of the Long Path.
Five bottom-to-top, east-to-west trails connect the Shore Trail and the Long Path:
Carpenter’s Trail (blue)
Just south of the Ross Dock Picnic Area on the Shore Trail, about 0.5 mi. north of the southern trailhead of the Long Path. (Steep: elevation 250 ft.)
Dyckman Hill Trail (yellow)
Parallels Dyckman Hill Road (continuation of Palisade Ave. from Englewood Cliffs) to the Englewood Picnic Area. (Moderate: elevation 300 ft.)
Huyler’s Landing Trail (red)
About 1.5 mi. south of the Alpine Picnic Area on the Shore Trail, about 0.5 mi. south of the Alpine Lookout on the Long Path. (Moderate: elevation 400 ft.)
Closter Dock Trail (Alpine Approach Trail) (orange)
Runs from just north of the Alpine Picnic Area to just south of Park Headquarters. (Moderate-steep: elevation 400 ft.)
Forest View Trail (blue/white)
About 3 mi. north of the Alpine Picnic Area from the Shore Trail, about 0.5 mi. south of State Line Lookout on the Long Path. It overlaps the Long Path for about 0.5 mi. at the summit of the cliffs, passing the Women’s Federation Monument, then goes on to Boy Scout Camp Alpine. (Very steep: elevation 500 ft.)
Other trails:
The six cross-country ski trails at State Line Lookout, marked A–F, can also be used by hikers, and several unmarked trails are described in the hike descriptions.
2012 Area Information & Fee Schedule (.pdf file, 4 pages)
