The Hike before the Hike: 6 NY/NJ Hiking Trails Accessible by Public Transportation
So, you live in New York City, want to hike, but don’t have a car. As someone who’s been in your hiking boots, I get it.
Living in a mega-urban setting like NYC, I've always craved a deeper connection with nature, but also felt like my options were always limited without a car.
Sure, the city has (some) trees. But nothing close to the deep-woods quiet you see in movies or those layered mountain horizons you pass while driving upstate. In 2022, I decided to stop daydreaming about the atmosphere of the deep woods and started seeking it– intentionally.
A couple of Google searches, a little GPS finesse, and it turns out: getting to hiking trails that only seem accessible through Instagram reels is actually easier than you think. And once you know the routes, the whole journey becomes part of the ritual.
Below are five trails—across New York and New Jersey—that I've hiked without a car. I’m sharing the exact routes and the mistakes I made along the way (so you can skip the chaos and get straight to the magic).
Hiking the MTA: Metro North & NJ Transit
First, I'll start with the hiking before the hike. I know a lot of New Yorkers have a toxic relationship with commuting, but the views on the way to the trail will make you forget you haven’t even started yet.
The journey itself is part of the hike. Treat the train ride and the walk to the trailhead as a warm-up and grounding ritual.
To run away from the city and into the woods listed below, you’ll use:
Metro-North Hudson Line (Green– NY trails)
NJ Transit Morris & Essex Line (NJ trails)
Coach bus from Port Authority in Manhattan (for Storm King)
Download the MTA TrainTime and NJ Transit apps to check schedules, see which train cars stop at your station, and buy tickets on your phone. Roundtrip fares are around $30–$40, with rides taking 1–2 hours depending on your start.
Tips for the commute:
Pay attention to train stop restrictions: Some trains only stop at certain stations on weekends or at limited times. Only specific cars may open at certain stops.
Restrooms: Only some stations have them. Plan ahead to go on the train (ask a conductor or check the app for the nearest one. If nature calls on the trail, remember to pack wet wipes.
Plan your return around sunset—the golden hour over the Hudson is magical.
Pro tip: Sit strategically on the Metro North. 3-seaters on the way there, double seats on the way back—for maximum river and mountain views.
The Trails & Details
1. Bull Hill Short & Full Loop
Difficulty: A confident Moderate–Hard
Distance: Short loop (4.3 miles) | Full loop (5.4 miles)
Transit: Metro-North Hudson Line →Cold Spring
Restrooms: Yes, at the station ticket booth
Once you arrive in Cold Spring, set your GPS to “Bull Hill Full Loop.” It’s a 20-minute walk to the trailhead, with staff around on weekends if you need help. The first 15 minutes of the hike are a steep uphill either way. My first time I chose the short loop by force (my wheezing decided for me).
2. Mount Beacon
Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
Distance: 6 miles
Transit: Metro-North Hudson Line →Beacon, then trolley bus
Restrooms: None
Mount Beacon greets you with stairs—a humbling but welcome alternative to the raw incline of Bull Hill. Outside the station, hop on the free Beacon Trolley straight to the Mt. Beacon trailhead stop. (Check its route here ahead of time). Otherwise, you can walk the 38 minutes there and back.
Fun fact: Mount Beacon is the highest point in the Hudson Highlands.
3. Hemlock Falls & South Mountain Fairy Trail
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Distance: 4.5 miles (out-and-back)
Transit: NJ Transit Morris & Essex Line →Millburn or SouthOrange
Restrooms: None
Choose your adventure:
Millburn: Walk 5 minutes to the South Mountain Fairy Trail and hike toward the waterfall.
South Orange: Walk 35 minutes to the Locust Grove Trailhead (Hemlock Falls) then hike from the waterfall toward the fairy houses tucked beneath the mossy trees.
This hike is literally enchanting. Tiny, handcrafted fairy homes and a waterfall make it one of the most soulful, smile-inducing trails i’ve done.
4. Breakneck Ridge
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 5.7 miles
Transit: Metro-North Hudson Line →Breakneck Ridge (Or Cold Spring)
Restrooms: None
Only attempt this if your soul (and your quads) are ready. Breakneck is the most challenging but also the most beautiful trail here. But please read this twice:
Trains stop here weekends only
Only the first 3 cars open
Northbound trains run 7am–1pm
Southbound trains run 3–7pm
I discovered these rules not by reading, but by freezing for two hours in January waiting for a train that was… not coming.
NOTE: The station is currently closed for construction until mid 2027, but you can still access the trail via Cold Spring at the same trailhead.
5. Anthony’s Nose
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.6 miles
Transit: Metro-North Hudson Line →Manitou + 40 min walk
Restrooms: None
This commute feels like you’re in a movie. Walk 35 minutes to the trailhead, including 20 minutes along the roadside. There’s a safe shoulder to walk, but go early to comfortably avoid passing cars.
Be sure to board the first car of the train, it’s the only one that opens. The trailhead starts at a small information hut you can’t miss. Expect a steep 30-minute incline and a breathtaking summit overlooking the Hudson River.
💡Bonus detour: On your way back, check out Manitou Point Nature Preserve—just 10 minutes from the station. Green, serene, and perfect for cooling down. Ticks are real, though, so stay alert!
6. Storm King Mountain and Art Center
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (Art Center) or Moderate–Hard (Mountain hike)
Distance: Art Center (2–6 miles) | Storm King Mountain (2.5–4 miles)
Transit: Metro North→ Beacon + rideshare (Mountain Trailhead); or Coach bus from Port Authority in Manhattan (seasonal shuttle available on weekends to Art Center)
Restrooms: Yes, at the Art Center (none at the mountain trailhead)
For this experience, you can choose one or both. Stop at the Storm King Art Center, which blends open fields, rolling hills, and large-scale outdoor sculptures into something that feels both grounding and quietly inspiring.
Or, you can take a rideshare from the Beacon station to Storm King Mountain for a steep, rocky hike with sweeping Hudson River views. Typically less crowded than breakneck.
Additional Tips & Resources:
Download All Trails App: Think of it as GPS, trail guide, and community insight all in one. The free version shows you distance, elevation, trail maps, recent reviews, and lets you save your favorite hikes.
If you upgrade to All Trails+, you get the real magic: offline navigation, wrong-turn alerts, and downloadable maps—super clutch when cell service disappears. The reviews are especially helpful for seasonal updates, but fair warning: a few maps can be a little off.
Weekend Crowds: If you’re solo and new to hiking, having some people around can help you stay on trail. But if you prefer quiet, aim to start around 7–9am.
Distance vs. Views: Longer hikes don’t always mean better views. Learned that after finishing Bull Hill’s full loop…still looking for the payoff.
Pack smart: Bring enough water for both the commute and the trail. Pack light, but don’t skip essentials.
Closing the Loop
Living in the city without a car doesn’t limit your access to nature, it simply invites you to find a new rhythm. The train becomes your transition. The walk to the trailhead becomes your grounding. The hike becomes your reset.
These trails are a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be intentional, accessible, and woven into your everyday life.
Before choosing your next trail, explore the kind of adventure your mind and body are truly craving.
If you haven’t read it yet, head to What Kind of Adventure Seeker Are You?—a deeper look at the science of adventure, how it shapes well-being, and the four core adventure types.
Inside, you’ll also find a free Adventure Seeker Survey to help you uncover your personal adventure style and bring more aligned, meaningful exploration into your life—whether it’s a big trail, a micro-escape, or a moment of curiosity on your commute.
