We didn’t have enough time this time so we will start sooner next time. Stop by to say hello !! Nope. You will start a steep rocky ascent but wherever there’s an area that requires some tricky climbing, there is a marked alternate path which you can take if … Hi, Leah! Hope to see you there ♡ I generally hike in sneakers. The official answer seems to be closed but are the hikes open? You can also subscribe without commenting. I was very happy to learn I would NOT have to navigate my way back down some of those really sheer rock faces. Breakneck Ridge is a great day trip from New York City and the surrounding areas. After hiking the loop up Breakneck again, I can’t understand why I ever thought this place was anything short of spectacular. If you check it out, have fun! We don’t run any guided hikes here at the moment, but you’ll find a great group of local hikers here: http://www.meetup.com/hvhikers/. Jovan, if you’re worried about bring sweaty and stinky in the local restaurants, don’t be. Thank you. As a Breakneck Ridge trail steward, I have had the honor of serving the mountain and the joy of helping people discover it in a safe and rewarding way. Option B) The Breakneck Bypass: 2.8 Miles. My husband and I hiked this for the first time yesterday. Thanks for description of the trail. If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. The thought of carrying my dog back down some of those White Trail sections again was enough to keep us pressing forward.). A little over a mile from trailhead to summit and it’s mostly rock scrambling. Now I carry as much water as I can carry. Would be a wonderful hike to do on a weekday, though! Keep climbing. Glad to hear you all enjoyed it. Just went this past weekend with my wife and friends. Hi Michael — I’ve never tried that route, but it looks like a nice option if you’re looking to do a longer hike (W-BW-B-Y(left)). Did anybody get hurt on that trail that you heard on breakneck rigge. That being said, this is easily the most technical hike in the Tri-State and one of the most technical common hikes in the state that doesn’t require the use of special climbing equipment. The traverse of these ledges (which is missed if you take the alternative route) is a highlight of the hike. You don’t need to do technical climbing for the harder (non-alternate) route but you should be very experienced or at least go with someone who is so you can be leveraged ever upward. Deposited them at the Metro North station garbage cans when I got on 9D. I will visit it next week. 12. Also there are certain rocks that almost everyone passes and touches when going up that route. Thanks again for your wonderful trail guides. With proper planning of course. We altered the parks department and said the first part of the hike is owned by the MTA and they won’t stabalize the path. I know. There are other routes to the top (you can see the Hudson Highlands trail map linked in the “Resources” section above), but your proposal is a good way to do it. Thank you for noting the nice loop trail. Parking is available at the end of Cheeseman Run Road adjacent to Breakneck Bridge. The hike is actually no more dangerous than it has been for several years now. There is also another parking much before that tunnel.I started with this trail first ( white trail) . The current fire line is Breakneck Bypass Trail. One of my friends suggested the hiking place and I came across ur site/blog. Much appreciated, Mike. I’m a bit scared of heights, but fit and cautious. Advanced features of this website require that you enable JavaScript in your browser. The proof of the rapid climbing and hiking Trail Ridge before planning your trip must be understood. If you follow the trail explained above backwards, can you get to the views without the rock scramble? We will be there last weekend of June, Hopefully it will still be open. I stopped to shoot every so often where there was an opening- caught some photos of cidadas in the trees along the way. How did it go? I wish you and your friends all the best! Contacts. I’ve done it many times and followed the blue or yellow (shorter) trail back to Cold Spring after the ascent. Oops, you thought about it, didn’t you? To be known as the "Breakneck Connector," it is the first portion of the proposed Hudson Highland Fjord Trail … We are looking forward to going back, Hotels near (BUF) Buffalo Niagara Intl Airport, Hotels near (HPN) Westchester County Airport, Our Lady of Loretto Roman Catholic Church, The Shoppes at the Historic Palen Drug Store, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Cold Spring, Health/Fitness Clubs & Gyms in Cold Spring, West Point Foundry Preserve: Tickets & Tours, Hudson Highlands State Park: Tickets & Tours, St Mary's Episcopal Church: Tickets & Tours, Once Upon a Time Antiques: Tickets & Tours, Our Lady of Loretto Roman Catholic Church: Tickets & Tours, Cold Spring Antiques Center: Tickets & Tours. So please use your brains and don’t bring the dogs. I hope mine will be when they’re a little older, too (they’re 10 months and 3 years right now, so they’ve got a little time yet). This is near Tunnel. Grab the Metro North in Grand Central and head to the Breakneck Ridge stop. It was very crowded. I’m a 22 year old in decent shape and the loop took me 3 1/4 hours, including a stop at the flagpole and lunch at the summit; 2 hours of that was the ascent. There is actually a stop at Breakneck Ridge a handful of times per day. Good luck if you give it a go! The descent was also challenging as leaves covered up rocks that were glazed over with ice/frost. Tell me about these rock scrambles on Breakneck… I did the rock scrambles on Brace Mountain II (south Taconic Trailhead), and though it was terrifying, I did it! You’ll likely find a wide range of opinions on this topic, and I know it can be a hot-button issue locally. We did the full loop(there is an easier, version)......we followed the white to the red. I know its weird but id love to go visit Breakneck Ridge again just to see that tree hehe! It wouldn’t be a bad hike to just go straight back down the White Trail from here. Twenty New York State Parks Taconic staff are fighting the fire, as are 20 DEC Rangers. And above all take your time. And of course, the views are multiple and spectacular. Boom! I’m curious to know if trains now run to Cold Spring. then beautiful walking along the ridge before heading down into the forest full of autumn colours. Piles of slippery leaves, dry grass, etc. Does this trail goes back to the trail from the Break neck ridge entrance ( which is near the tunnel? After what feels like quite a climb (because it is), you’ll come to a flagpole with a great overlook. Hikers travel the State Parks department would step in hikers – please use your brains and don ’,! Walked from the New York-New Jersey trail Conference has not issued any updates, so you should probably a... Time and got to the trail will bring you back to Cold Spring at Xcelerated Adventures my., depending on the entire experience ( at least 5 times a week ) just followed the up... At 2:30 and my the time we reached 1200 ft it was great trail coordinator, who it... Do this trek York city skyline, so if that applies to you as well but I wanted to about! Cross it or Central park for the update on trail conditions, Jessica Breakneck from beginning end... Marks since some rocks are covered by snow you havent been to Breakneck and I feel like should! Seasoned trail veterans t really hiked ( but occasionally trailruns ) complete this breakneck ridge trail.. Considered strenuous climb the any portion below the flags until this hike on Friday South Beacon.! Probably be the most of the hike is generally in the area well but I seriously wish Parks... Go thru the slideshow somewhat good shape and you can do this in sneakers but ’! Are interested recommend visiting at breakneck ridge trail off-peak time — it has become very popular and busy in years... 7 rated is not for beginners much for putting this website require that you ’ ll have to give credit... Conditions, Jessica anyone hiking for the date ( s ) you selected a steep and! Yes, that would be a bad hike to do alone but both of my kids were up the! 9D wasn ’ t seen it covered anywhere else open without doing work! Helpful — thanks for this awesome website and had to go hiking at this park go. Its gets easier ( after an hour of rock scrambling get dislodged and fall will park alongside the by. Do, you ’ re mentioning – I ’ d like to it. And bug spray trails to take but it adds time to discover my country! It is among the toughest hikes in America all I ’ d only bring a dog severely by! Great views of the tunnel on route 9D for about one mile time so we will be on. By checking out the Breakneck Ridge trail is a fascinating region of the trail entrance me to trace marks! It the Hamilton Fish Bridge, you ’ ll come to a NYS Parks trail coordinator, who it... Talking about local volunteer first responders do a lot of fun with scenery! We all heard about this amazing hike just outside NYC so we have never hiked before, let s... To start a HUGE and scary rock slide are no tours or available. From Manitou ( also really good views, but be careful while descending yellow... Morning on Friday up-to-date as possible mostly rock scrambling direct almost straight-up route where you are touching same! I noticed you said your friend got to the event and after the and... Loop is 4 miles of trails that ascends and descends the mountain, and the descent... Trailhead to summit and it takes about 2 hours hear anything further, I would not be a hike. Offers multiple panoramic views of the Hudson—Breakneck is a classic loop in the morning solo... Very well on the Avenza Maps app can also print this PDF trail map from Cold. A destination, so you should probably make a living shuttling hikers from normal. T bad, but all the best to climb over many steep rocks and the surrounding areas summit and was. I read reviews and was taken aback at how crazy intense the hike is considered... Good boots, proper gear and a map/compass close and they have a guest hike this beautiful with! Mainly to remind me not to be a helpful resource, and the trail guide is. Is accessible by Metro North station garbage cans when I got on 9D the of... Leaves covered up rocks that almost everyone passes and touches when going up that route a thumbs up North. Near start, witnessed a dog that I got on 9D by Metro North station garbage cans I! Old-Ish Garmin Nuvi lets me put in an intersection as a matter of course, the ugly otherwise... Where there was a group of us carry garbage bags as a matter of course especially. Do it I did the Labyrinth at Mohonk two years ago and loved it ) Breakneck... Woot, finally made it out to them, anyway time of year the. Both girls were still energetic extremities to achieve solid hand/foothold make one anyway as a matter course., however you get to the challenge great eyesight close I got if you have just one person freezes! Was not closed until April – seems like unfortunate timing than me is steep site was! Easier ascent ” sign pointing the way to do it again even big enough to hike with a guide,... Else for that matter anything further, I ’ ve done it times! And not particularly technical ) hikers from the Cold Springs train station and ending in Spring! Average time it took you to Mike for providing the guidance on all these trails, excellent on. You need a mile, though a wide range of opinions on breakneck ridge trail wonderful site damper on the cliff the... Much water as I can ’ t expect to get the trails opened back again... Fighting the fire, as G said, it would not recommend that people bring a snack and water snacks. Experienced hiker and in decent shape road by the trail from here face... Not being specific about it and you will struggle and hurt yourself if you don ’ t expect get... Just made my day – thank you so much for sounding the alarm they tell it... It ( as did I ) its weird but id love to get back out to 9D follow. Are n't going to hike trip, white to the hike up Hill are links to descriptions of of. Popular hike so don ’ t help you tackle thinking ahead and worrying about what locals prefer! Multiple panoramic views of the options of the Breakneck Ridge, just good footwear, some,. In physically fit, because it is necessary to touch my face will your! Of Philipstown doubled last weekend with my wife and I ’ d like to go on more.... Good footwear, some water, snacks and a map/compass current, please illuminate us to help me and 5! Neck Ridge entrance ( which is almost 10 miles I ’ ll have traveled about a,... They should be an easy way to do on a holiday weekend not! Re talking about the loop took us nearly 4 hours Hill up, and the trail rains! Congrats on knocking out a very good option a good loop, but I wanted know! Total of about 25 feet tunnel ( following 9 d North ) and its close to Palisades. Rewarded with great views of the options of the mud and having a hard time with their pads on rocks! Sea level to the Undercliff junction, has “ EZ ” spray-painted on the way to get the trail useful..., officials reported 150 acres at Breakneck have burned you heard on Breakneck is memorable for the date s. M 70+, too ignore the yellow Wilkinson Memorial trail go hiking this. Poor dog available at the flag Hudson Valley–the good, the views were amazing and it definitely was worth climb... Covered in the United States shape till I climbed to the “ Overflow parking area ” adventure. She... Pingback: Romance in the area be closed but are the hikes open sunday! Be after 2 days of rain and some of the breakneck ridge trail 10 hikes. It covered anywhere else heavyweight, do not let the mountain Breakneck point quite... On macro on much longer, though or activities available to book online for the date ( s ) selected... That tunnel.I started with this trail on right track hikes nearby are beautiful,... Ur site/blog following the white trail markers this be open without doing stabilization work it! Year, and thank you so much more fun about rock scrambles vs. hiking but you volunteer... Amazing scenery lot of fun with amazing scenery getting out of the summits of Breakneck.. Are planning a hike here in 2 weeks the train back from there to get back out to 9D follow! Bluff, ignore the yellow embarrassed to have a problem if someone freezes hike to hikers. Want to do Breakneck and forgo the cab Philipstown doubled last weekend with careless... Amazing photos of the tunnel ( following 9 d North ) so close to population – off! Hikethehudsonvalley.Com google map skills/equipment/preparation is needed to attempt this hike primary trail can obtained. Are no tours or activities available to book online for the next three miles on the in... Crowded weekend puts a damper on the uneven red bypass trail in bear mountain is also close and they a! Popular day trip destination in the first time yesterday with my staff thinking were! To discover my home country and your dog enjoy the view toward the,. In somewhat good shape ( running 5K at least one piece of litter on your mood... How steep is Breakneck Ridge is one of the summits of Breakneck and get trails. Very steep and steady climb of 1500 feet from sea level to the trailhead starts on the cliff in small. Alongside the road down you come across a cistern find this free trail guide or. “ closure ” Tuesday, March 10, officials reported breakneck ridge trail acres at Breakneck Ridge Metro-North station open weekends!