The Long Path in the NJ Section
Information on this page current as of January 30, 2008Note to hikers: A temporary fence has been put up on Old Route 9W near State Line Lookout to establish a parking area for a construction project this fall. Hikers and cyclists ARE permitted to pass through the gate in this fence.
Mileage figures are from Long Path Guide, fifth edition (2002: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, New York, NY).
Mileage figures in light blue indicate access points.
Hiking notes and points of interest are in italics.
0.0 George Washington Bridge North Pedestrian Walkway
It's worth exploring the unmarked side trails that meander to views over the George Washington Bridge—these all return to the Long Path. Just north of the the Bridge, you can find some indications of the former Riviera nightclub.
0.5 Linwood Park (Toll Plaza) Overpass / Carpenter's Trail Trailhead
Beyond the blue-blazed Carpenter's Trail, you'll pass some stone walls marking old property lines and the site of "Coytesville Park" (note that a cannon, once a Spanish-American War monument at this site and for some a familiar landmark, has been moved to a park in Fort Lee and is no longer here).
1.15 Gas Station, Palisades Interstate Parkway (restrooms)
1.4 Allison Park / St. Peter's College
St. Peter's and the adjoining Sisters of St. Joseph Novitiate are the only private holdings along the Palisades from Fort Lee to the state line. This area, including Allison Park, was the site of the Palisades Mountain House (see "Fire on the Mountain") and subsequently the estate of William O. Allison.
The trail stays west of the college-novitiate property, briefly following the Parkway's shoulder.
Beyond, the trail follows an old asphalt drive—this was the site of a "Tourist Camp" during the NJ Section's early decades.
2.1 Palisade Ave. / Exit 1, Parkway / Dyckman Hill
Use caution crossing Palisade Avenue (this is the top of Dyckman Hill Road and a vehicle entrance to Henry Hudson Drive). Nice views of the Englewood Picnic Area are just a short way off the Long Path, at the top of the yellow-blazed Dyckman Hill Trail.
2.75 "High Tom's" viewpoint
"High Tom's" is an obvious promontory—and one of the nicest vistas along the cliffs. The deep cleft beside it was used as a "pitching place" where lumberjacks could "pitch" logs down to the river below. The entrance to the Undercliff Picnic Area and its former bathing beach can be seen below.
3.25 Rockefeller Lookout, Parkway
The walls and other foundation remains north of the Lookout were part of the estate of Dr. Ernest Cadgene in the early 1900s.
~ 4.0
You'll pass through some meadow-like areas, and within a mile come to Clinton Point—and still other excellent vistas. When you reach the southern end of Greenbrook Sanctuary (the sanctuary is fenced) you will be hiking near the Parkway for the next mile or so. The Long Path in this section traverses some small but relatively steep hills.
5.1 Entrance to Greenbrook Sanctuary from U.S. Route 9W
5.95 Huyler's Landing Trail (red blaze)
You can find additional details on this section of the Long Path in Hiking At The Alpine Area: Closter Landing Loop.
The Lookout marks the site of Manuel Rionda's "Rio Vista" estate, the largest of all on the Palisades (over a hundred acres, extending west into Demarest), and the overlook south of the Lookout was part of this estate, as well.
Beyond the Lookout are a number of interesting foundation remains, former driveways, gardens, and so on, including the imposing Zabriskie ruins.
7.85 Closter Dock Trail (orange blaze)
8.05 Alpine Approach Road
Turn left after passing through the small tunnel beneath Alpine Approach Road.
You can find additional details on this section of the Long Path in Hiking At The Alpine Area: Bombay Hook.
8.25 Park Headquarters
10.0 Ruckman Point
Ruckman Point is the magnificent overlook just off the trail, beside an old concrete wall. Notice the interesting "graffiti" carved in some of the stones, as well.
See Bombay Hook for a side trip at this point.
The Long Path follows the old Ruckman Road west for a brief time, then turns north again, then bears east to meet up with the blue-and-white-blazed Forest View Trail.
10.4 Forest View Trail (to west:Pedestrian Bridge)
The Forest View Trail will overlap the Long Path for part of this section. See Hiking At State Line Lookout: Women's Federation Monument for additional details.
10.55 Women's Federation Monument
See both Hiking At The Alpine Area: Bombay Hook (including a worthwhile side trip) and Hiking At State Line Lookout: Women's Federation Monument for additional details.
North of the Monument, the Long Path-Forest View Trail descends into a ravine. At the base of the ravine, by a stream, the trails separate, the Long Path ascending the opposite (and quite steep) side of the ravine. (The Forest View Trail continues to the river and the Shore Trail.) At the top of the ravine, the Long Path follows the entrance road to State Line Lookout - use caution here.
See Hiking At State Line Lookout: Peanut Leap Waterfall for additional details.
11.9 State Line Monument
12.2 Bottom of stone stairs.
12.35 Shore Trail Trailhead
After crossing the stream on stepping stones to the top of the white-blazed Shore Trail, turn left (westward) to follow the Long Path to its exit from the NJ Section at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory entrance on Rt. 9W.
