Breakneck Ridge Loop Reviews

We boarded the train from Central Station on Sunday morning with, what seemed like, every other 20-35yr old in NY who wasn't suffering a from a hunger over. The train ride to the start of the loop alone is worth the trip and just get off when everyone else does! There's nothing at the stop except a couple of port-a-loos so make sure you bring your own provisions. The first 30-45mins is quite steep rock scrambling so wear appropriate clothes and shoes. It's not difficult but does require a reasonable level of fitness.
There are different loop tracks you can take and then you follow the colour co-ordinated markers.
We took the track which ended near Cold Springs and then wandered onto the town for a well deserved beer and burger.
Breakneck Ridge is a great day trip an hour from NY which feels like a world away from the busy city. Highly recommend!

Can't believe this is only 1 hour away from NYC! Really steep and exposed first hour of hiking and climbing. Not for the faint hearted. The rest of the hike was lovely. Incredible views of the Hudson and the valley. Will go back again.

if you are afraid of heights, don’t have proper footwear or like to hike with poles stay clear of this place. It is incredibly dangerous and difficult.

I appreciated the view of the river but the rock scramble is what made the trip fun. It is slightly steep but if you pace yourself it is no big deal. The trail is very well marked, clean, takes around 3 hours to do 1 full loop.

This hike can be rated as hard only for the first 0,7 ml, where you literally climb up the rocks. And still for someone in shape even that part is pretty doable. The rest of the hike (we turned left on Bypass) is flat and some parts are down the hill. The view from the top after those 0.7 ml is beautiful, you can over look the river and trees. On weekends (we did it on Sunday around 1pm) it is super crowded, you almost want to turn back how crowded it was. But still it was nice 1 and ½ hours Sunday hike.

This hike was so impressive! At first I thought it would be very difficult to climb such steep rock because I'm quite small and don't have much experience in hiking. But the view there just encouraged me to climb higher and higher. It was really fantastic.
As I was there in the mid summer, I would suggest you to be there before noon because the first part of the trail is kind of exhausting. It wouldn't be so fun if you hike under the very hot sun. And don't forget to bring around 2 liters of water.
Have fun! :)

Not a bad train ride from NYC - challenging and interesting. I've done it three times and it feels a little different each time.

this was a great hike, make sure to take lots of water,. some spots were very difficult, scaling rocks without a lot of handholds, etc. There are a few opportunities to end the hike early, we did the 5+ mile route

The beginning of the hike requires tremendous climbing, the view on the top is amazing, and there are many ways to come back.

I’ve done the Breakneck Ridge hike a few times but this was my first time with my dog. I have seen many others bring their dog so I figured we would be okay. We made it but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it unless your dog is an avid hiker with very callused paws. Dont forget a tick preventative!

I had to help my pup on the second rock scramble. On the third rock scramble we came across it was just was impossible for him and we almost turned back but that seemed dangerous so I just found another path. I beared left around the mountain until I got back on the path.

The closure in the beginning of the year for restoration makes such a difference. You will no longer get lost because you cannot miss the new trail markers and signs. Also the pathway seems improved.

A fantastic hike. Wonderful views and a real range of walking in a day.

The start is by far the most challenging section, if you are really unsure about whether this hike is for you, you could always go along to the start and have a look - it's pretty clear from the trail start what you are going to have to do!

An initial steep, reasonably long but very fun rock scramble (boulder type rocks, difficult for small people!) then beautiful walking along the ridge before heading down into the forest full of autumn colours.

We went in October and the light was failing by the time we made it back to the main path at the bottom - be very careful of the daylight and make sure you have lights and keep track of where you are on the map - there are a lot of paths!

We love Breakneck! It's tough. but, not extreme. Some scrambling and climbing, but, not too difficult for the young or old as long as you are reasonably fit. It's my 13 year old daughters favorite of any in the area. Bring your flip flops so you can visit Beacon afterwards for Thai food :)

Yes its a bit challenging. Yes, its totally worth it. The view is spectacular. You can take the train from NYC.

My wife and I hiked this trail and it took us about 5 hours to do so. The start of the trail, which is accessed on the northwest side of the tunnel on Route 9D a few miles south of Beacon, is billed as ascending a little over 1200 feet in 3/4 of a mile. After a short distance my wife and I stored our trekking poles because they got in the way. We had to scramble and climb up through rocks, boulders and chutes so it was just easier to use hands unencumbered by poles. I recommend wearing light gloves because there are plenty of edges and fissures as well as trees which have to be grabbed during the ascent and gloves will protect your hands from scrapes and tree sap. There are a number of spectacular views of the Hudson River valley, Bannerman's castle, and West Point at various vantage points along the trail. There are also a number of spots where you would not want to lose your balance or slip. It is a strenuous hike and requires extensive use of your arms and hands as well as your legs. The trail markers used for the first portion of the trail are white but are not always easy to spot. Sometimes they were white blazes painted on the rocks and other times a small white disc tacked to a tree. About 1/2 way up we somehow lost the trail and after ascending a fair amount finally spotted some white blazes further up the climb. At the top it was nice to sit and have lunch and partake of the view.

We then continued our hike, now using our trekking poles along the white marked trail until we reached the markers for the red trail which branched to the left. We followed it to where it intersected the yellow marked trail and turned left onto the yellow marked trail which returns you to Route 9D about 400 yards north of where we started our hike. The last 1/4 mile of the white marked trail, the red marked trail and yellow marked trail are just normal hiking trails. The red marked trail is somewhat steep in places and it is a little harder to find its trail markers. The yellow marked trail is wide and easy to hike. The main problem we had coming down was the dead leaves which coated the ground and were often slippery underfoot; having the trekking poles made it so much easier to maintain balance.

For anyone making this hike, I recommend good hiking boots and taking enough water and food to sustain you. Most of the loop is under tree canopy so take that into account in choice of clothing and layers.

It is a strenuous hike but ultimately very rewarding.

This by far is the most exhilirating hike we've done. Breathtaking views. It is a strenous hike as its mentioned but simply a must do!

I try to hike one of the many trails in this area at least six times a year. There are many choices, and all offer great exercise and excellent views.

Effective April 3, six trains will make the round trip from Grand Central station in Manhattan to the stop at the Breakneck Ridge trailhead on weekends and holidays. This doubles the number of trains stopping at Breakneck from last season, which was a further increase from 2014, when only two trains made the stop.

According to the new schedule, one train heading to the Breakneck trailhead stop from Grand Central will leave approximately every hour from 6:43 a.m. to 12:43 p.m. Six trains will make the return trip starting at 1:09 p.m., with the final train departing Breakneck at 7:17 p.m. These trains will also stop just south of Breakneck Ridge at the Manitou station, from which trailheads for Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain—including the Appalachian Trail—are accessible. This timetable is in effect through July 10. Find the full schedule here.

“The new schedule will spread the crowds out onto more trains and enable more hikers to get to Breakneck more easily, thanks to several trains leaving Grand Central later in the morning and even in the afternoon,” said Trail Conference Senior Program Coordinator Hank Osborn. “The Metro North option to Breakneck will no longer be just for early risers.”

There are numerous trails—marked and unmarked—in the Breakneck Ridge area, and almost all hikes here are considered strenuous. Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holiday from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, Breakneck Trail Stewards provided by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are available at the Breakneck trailhead with maps, water, trail condition updates, and other tips to help you enjoy your day.

We visited the town of Cold Spring this past weekend and wanted to do a small hike, and the Breakneck Ridge Loop was our choice. There's actually a shorter loop that takes only a few hours and has just as nice scenery if you don't want to go for 3+ hours. We saw a screech owl on the way up, and every view point was great for photos of the river and the area. When we made it up to the top we were able to see New York way off in the distance. Bring plenty of water and a snack to enjoy when you get to the top.

Pretty cool climb but on the dangerous side if you want to go on the breakneck trail. The other trails are easy but wont get you to the too of the rock

This was my first time this past sunday. I am a quite over weight woman who loves hiking. I had wanted to lose some weight and head to this trail in the spring, but i heard it was closing for renovations as of January 1 2018, which i have now heard isnt true, so i really dont know. Either way i panicked and said well i have to go now. SO glad i did. was i out of breath? yes. but was it awesome and totally worth it? yes yes yes. the average person takes 3-4 hours, it took me almost 5 doing the white to red to yellow path. the view and atmosphere is perfect. if your not afraid of a little work i highly recommend this hike. going back in 2 weeks to try a new trail :)

One of the most challenging hikes in southern New York. Best to do during the week as this site extremely popular with hikers. There is even a train stop for hikers from city.

Excellent hike for a day with great strenuous rock climbing and beautiful views!

Definitely a go back and redo hike, with another end of day dinner in beautiful, cozy, Cold Spring.

Usually we do the hikes in less than the indicated time, but this time we took too many breaks and couldn't finish the loop as intended (white trail, red, to yellow trail back), plus we got lost :), don't know how cuz the trails are marked pretty good. It took us I think 4 hours to only finish half the white trail, but Did all the rock climbing!

I was very on the edge about doing this hike. Especially in the snow when all of the suggestions from the park website say do not attempt well rocks are wet. And I suggest you do not attempt the hike while rocks are wet. But I wanted to get this hike in and this was the only time I had available. Be prepared for slips and falls. Be prepared for blunt cliffs. Be prepared to crawl on all four. Be prepared for beautiful views. The hike is dangerous and strenuous but doable. It is very exciting.

I went here for an anniversary adventure with my girlfriend and it sure didn't disappoint. Originally we planned to check out Bannerman Castle but the ferry was sold out for the day and we didn’t want to rent kayaks to get there. We first ate at Cold Spring Depot in the nearby town to get ready for the hike on Breakneck Ridge. After the meal we planned our route starting at the entrance by the end of the tunnel and ending at the Cornish Estate Ruins.

There is a small train station by the start of the trail so you didn’t have to drive and find a parking spot. However, if you’re like me and drove, the only parking available is on the side of the road. It is incredibly crowded in the early afternoon on a Saturday and it was hard to find a spot. Eventually we managed to get one right next to the entrance of the trail. By the entrance, there was a sign that said it was for "experienced hikers in excellent physical condition only." Now, my girlfriend and I were definitely not experienced hikers or in peak physical condition but we weren't beginners or incredibly unhealthy either. I'd say we were intermediate level hikers with average health. We decided to try it anyway since we drove all the way from Long Island, NY and the views that were promised on the sign were too enticing.

So off we went and the first thing we noticed that it the vertical climb was very quick but very manageable. There was only a few rocks here and there so we wondered if it was like this the whole time but… then we saw it, a rock scramble with a very steep incline. I would've liked to show pictures but the ones I did take didn't fully capture the awe of the climb. For a brief moment we looked at the trail and each other and considered turning back but again, we didn’t come all this way for nothing. This would also be our first rock scramble.

We started the ascent and it was at first relatively hard but once we got the hang of it, it became easier to do. There are a few areas on the climb that were pretty difficult but can be passed by examining for good spots to grab and push off from. I’d say it was a lot easier for my 5’ 11” self than my 5’ 4” girlfriend in these areas though. Eventually, after what seemed like a long time, we reached the first scenic overlook at 686 feet above sea level. The views were much better than expected with a very clear view of the mountain across the river at Storm King State Park, Bannerman Castle, West Point, the town of Newburgh, and some parts of the town of Cold Spring. We definitely were not dressed appropriately since we prepared for any poison oak or ivy, ie. jeans, but I did not see any on the route we took, I suggest going with shorts and a t-shirt to stay comfortably cool.

Once we were finished with a few pictures and taking a break from the strenuous climb we again had doubts about going on but after reading the elevation sign that said “Best route to the bottom is to continue moving forward on the trail” we decided to keep advancing. There are arrows painted on the rocks/trees/etc. with the color of the trail they point to. We followed the white arrow towards another rock scramble to the second scenic overlook at 850 feet. The way up to this point had us exhausted so we a longer break and enjoyed the even better views. This is also when we realized that two 0.5L sized water bottles weren’t enough and we had to ration the water we had left. In hindsight, about 1-2L would’ve been a good amount for each person to carry and not be thirsty; I would recommend a hydration pack to spread the weight of the water.

Making our way further still up the mountain, we reached the point which would take us to the Cornish Estate Ruins. The Yellow or Undercliff Trail was our next route, unfortunately it wasn’t clearly marked so we ended up getting somewhat lost on the way down. We ended up behind the mausoleum in the closed off section of the Red Trail. Fortunately this was the trail that led to our destination. We looked around the large ruins of the estate for about an hour and then decided to head back to my car since the daylight was fading quickly. On the way back being amazed at our accomplishment of hiking something that steep and that high up.

This was absolutely a great anniversary adventure and I highly recommend it to others that enjoy a challenging hike with a reward of spectacular views. Be prepared to spend a minimum of three hours up there. Just be cautious, dress comfortably, bring plenty of water and some snacks (maybe a compass and map of the area as well) and you will have a great time!

One of the best rock scrambles close to NYC. Challenging but fun. We brought our dog along (75lb lab mix), and he loved it, although there were a couple of gaps where he was scared to navigate, but he would find switchbacks and rejoin us. We had tweens with us, they would go fast to get ahead of us in order to sit on rocks and watch us come up. We saw folks with little ones; I'd imagine that could be difficult going at times if you had to carry them.

You don't have to do the whole loop in one go; in fact, we only did the rock scramble to the flag pole on one visit, and have hiked to Cornish Estates (the ruins) several other times. If just going to the ruins, you can park a little past the parking lot for Little Stony Point, just north of Cold Spring.

As others have mentioned, this place can get quite crowded on nice weekends; I highly recommend going during the week if you can.

Local Pizza Shop in Cold Spring organizes a group hike to the Breakneck Ridge and welcome the group at the pizza shop for food! Pizza and wings are the go to! Our group had a coach to lead through the Breakneck Ridge hike. Nice view from one of the lookout points at the Breakneck Pizza Hike. There are various levels of hike and we followed a 2-hour hike loop before headed back to the road.

If you enjoy hiking in a queue then this hike is for you. Personally, when I take a walk in the woods I like to get away from crowds of people. That won't happen on this hike. Might as well stay in NYC. Also, please beware, there is a constant need for emergency workers to attend to hikers who have underestimated the mountain.

Love this hike!!! However, NOT an easy hike. Would not recommend for young kids or dogs. The mountain is very steep and rocky from the get-go.

This is not for the faint of heart. Go to the bathroom before you ascend, bring drinking water and light snacks (it's 3 hrs at least), and dress appropriately for a hard climb.

Great day trip an hour north past bear mountain to cold spring, NY (NOT cold spring harbor which is in Long Island!). This is a no joke hike with the first 1000 ft climb that is more technical than I would have expected just an hour outside NY. Not appropriate for inexperienced young children, non-athletic adults or people will real fear of heights/falling. Great views. Went on a Saturday and you had to also pick your way around many other hikers. Very well marked now. 3.5 mile loop (white, yellow to red trail) will take most 3 hours. Wife and I hiked in running shoes. Must be amazing during fall foliage.

If you want to go hiking at this park please go early. My friends and I got lost and it got soo dark to the point we was stuck in the woods for hours and waited for a police to recuse us.. going up took us 2 hours and please follow the signs on the trees

I hiked up here recently on a warm summer day, and really enjoyed the experience. Near the start you need to be prepared to scramble up over the rocks, as you climb about 1000ft over a distance of less than a mile. But the climb is still easy enough such that it's immensely popular (I wouldn't recommend this for small children however). On a sunny weekend day, not only will the parking lots fill up quickly, but both sides of the road will be filled with parked cars (try to arrive by 8:00 AM to avoid some of the crowds!). You can get a good description of this hike from the "hikethehudsonvalley" web site, but also there was a small station set up at the trail head, where staffers were on hand to provide trail maps and answer questions. We extended the basic loop by continuing on the blue/white trails over to the yellow trail, and then back over Sugarloaf along the yellow trail to 9D (about 6-6.5 miles total distance). Overall, a really nice hike! (One warning: be very careful when walking along 9D. The parked cars don't leave much room for pedestrians, and the traffic may be moving very quickly).

I wanted to hike this trail for years and finally got around to it. I didn't find any single part of the climbing particularly difficult. However, the amount of rock climbing is what I found extremely tiring. After getting to the top we took the bypass and then went to the viewpoint of the Wilkinson Memorial trail. Wear good hiking shoes. I didn't and paid for it by rubbing heel of one of my feet raw. It took three weeks to heal. So much for my resolve to start exercising more immediately after the hike.

Rock scramble is an understatement — you will be climbing rocks, so ideally you should be flexible and reasonably strong! After the climb, we took the trail to the right that wound gradually down to Cold Spring for lunch

This is an intense hike but it's well worth the effort. It takes a few hours and is strenuous so be prepared to climb rocks and move almost vertically at times. It takes 3 or so hours depending on how fast you are and the age of the people in your party. We had teenagers with us but there were families with young children as well. Don't do this hike when it's really hot outside; it's really hard. Better to do this when its 70-80 degrees outside. It's a really amazing hike. Probably my favorite.

Thought I was in shape till I climbed to the top. This is definitely not an easy hike. The first half was all rock climbing and some of the rocks were straight rocks. The views were amazing and it definitely was worth the climb. We did the full loop(there is an easier version)......we followed the white to the red. White to yellow is the shortened version. We plan to go back and do the full hike through breakneck which is almost 10 miles I’ve heard. We didn’t have enough time this time so we will start sooner next time. We are looking forward to going back

This hike was a challenging but rewarding trek up a rocky trail that led to spectacular views at the top. People who have described it as a “rock scramble” were not lying, as the majority of the way up is a climb from one rocky crevice to another. Most of my friend group was up for the challenge and made it up swiftly. One friend however, Matt Lionetti of Chicago, Illinois, really struggled to keep up with the pack. We lost him for about 15 minutes before some hikers behind us helped him find his way. Luckily there was an alternate, less difficult trail that allowed him to eventually get to the top.

All in all though the hike was fun and the views were spectacular. Highly recommend for a day escape from the concrete jungle.

This is a strenuous hike that rises 1200 ft in 3/4 mile. The "white trail" is a rock scramble (put away your hiking poles for this part). We are a relatively experienced older hiking couple (60 plus) and this was very challenging. There were several rock scrambles where it is necessary to pull yourself with your arms, find crooks in the rocks to balance or pull yourself to a seated position. We were passed by several younger couples (stronger legs!). I'm glad we went in early November on a Monday when it was cooler and fewer people. Wear hiking boots! Use gloves (to help protect your hands as you reach for rocks). When I was secure enough, I'd turn around and was rewarded by a spectacular view of the Hudson River and valley. I think we lost the white trail going up and it made our climb more difficult. Connect to the red trail going down (well marked) to the yellow trail (also well marked). In the fall, the trail is slippery with the leaves. I used the poles going down. It took us 5 hours to go up and down, however, we stopped frequently and had our lunch at the top. Bring lots of water- even in the cooler days you'll be glad you did.

Great scramble with nice views, but trails can be a little tricky so get a map. Don't rely on the phone which may have spotty coverage

Did this hike in the peak of the fall colors and whilst the walk and scenery were spectacular, it felt like we were walking along a street in New York City - it was so busy! The train ride up was packed and was standing room only all the way from Grand Central. Would love to go back and do the walk again when it's not so busy.
The walk itself is steep on the way up, but there are lots of different paths that can make it easier. We followed the path onwards and walked beyond the normal loop and followed a trail back into the town of Cold Spring.

The scramble at the start up the rocks was good fun. It is easily accessible from New York city. That is probably the main reason for its popularity. The views over the Hudson were good but I wouldn't describe them as "breathtaking".

Got off the train from nyc, (this is the train recently made famous in a recent Liam Neeson movie, The Commuter), at Cold Spring. Walked up to the trailhead which is along the main road north from Cold Spring. The most difficult part of the walk is presented almost immediately. There are several steep ascents involving scrambling up rocky faces. My suggestion would be not to do this route unless you are confident with this type of route and are reasonably fit. If you do the route however you will be rewarded by some excellent views of the Hudson River and surrounding forest. There are no retail outlets or shops around this route so make sure you are well equipped especially with enough water. If you start early the shops in Cold Spring May not be open. The rest of the route back to Cold Spring is undulating and pleasant but make sure to stay on the right trail which is not too difficult, just follow the different coloured markers depending on the route you choose. Back in town there are plenty of opportunities and places available to rehydrate and refresh after your walk and before your return train journey.

I'm into hiking & climbing, but my sister isn't *really* (she enjoys 1-2 hours max in woodland with low grade ascent/descent); she agreed after reading descriptions to let me lead her on this route...
We drove, so getting to the trailhead was easy. I downloaded the trail map in advance onto my iPhone, but some (IMO) much lesser-quality trail maps were available at the start. We went during a (hot) August weekday, arriving near noon, and could tell it was certainly a popular place! Our start was a little inauspicious---500 meters in, and we stopped & turned around to escort a young lady who'd taken a wrong turn (alert!!), decided to climb some rocks, then slid down them & broke her ankle. Safely returning her to a friend's vehicle, we re-started the route & were very careful to look & follow white trail markers as opposed to just paths!
The markers were brilliant, and whilst my sister was cursing at times the rock scramble ascent, it wasn't too drama-filled and the views were lovely. Take plenty of water & sunscreen. After the rock scramble, it's a nice & easy descent, and well sign-posted.
We did meet (a few times...!) a fella who'd done it years ago starting from Cold Spring itself, and was today doing it "from memory" & a very simply trail map "guide" (i.e. just a drawing of the trail, but not other connecting trails....so if you go off-trail, you're screwed....those are the worst types of "guidance" IMO!). Please don't underestimate this route--don't do it if rain is forecast & have a proper map/GPS with you (as well as water/sunscreen).
We did it in 3 hours.

I hear this hike is a zoo during the warm months so we decided the day after a December snow storm (only 4-5”) would be a nice quiet time to go. It was. The hike up white (actual breakneck trail) was pretty dicey but we made it. You hit the flag pole and the tricky scrambling stuff is over... but you still have a few hundred feet to climb with many more great view points. Given the proximity to NYC it is spectacular. We hit all the “peaks” and then at ~1.75 miles took the left fork down red trail to yellow trail and back to car. 3.4 miles total

Our party was 3 adults, 2 teen boys and a 10 yr old girl. Yes...you CAN do it, no matter how hard you've heard it is. There are 3 peaks, or resting spots, where you can sit, rest, take pics, etc. Bring plenty of water and snacks for energy. Be prepared to climb using your hands - there are some steep inclines up the rocky face of the mountain. It is LOTS of fun, and the views are AMAZING!

We hiked this trail starting late 4:30 pm which at our slow pace was not the wisest choice. We are in reasonable shape, but have some wear and tear on us -if I had seen the actual rock scrambles before going, I doubt if I would have tried it, but a young trail steward was so encouraging about the hike that we just up and went! And I am so happy we did! It was definitely the most challenging hike I've done and super rewarding.
It was getting dark by the time we finished which was dumb on our part, but what an exhilarating day!

Hiking Breakneck at peak fall foliage is an annual tradition for a big group of us. The trick (if you're driving) is to start early. We meet at the parking lot at 8:30 to ensure that we get spots, and also so the trail isn't crowded. The first 3/4 mile is where all the fun and the views are. It isn't as physically strenuous as people might think, though it does take some effort. Once you reach the last viewpoint the rest of the loop is nothing special. Take advantage before the trail closes in 2018, but I would avoid going if it's wet/snowy/icy.

I've hiked this trail a few times, the trails itself and the views are amazing. Its a great workout and you can make it as long/short as you want depending on what areas to add or take away. A great hike!

Had a fantastic hike at breakneck this weekend - took about 3.5 hours to complete the loop. a few tips:
- go EARLY. i mean, the earlier the better. otherwise, expect crowds and waiting in-line to climb
- put your valuables in ur backpack. don't climb with phones or cameras or they'll get ruined against the rocks
- bring extra water; we had to cut our hike short because we were running short
- be in shape! This was no joke - lots of full-body strength needed for the scramble

SUCH a great day though - will be sore for weeks!

We hike a lot as a family ... all over the world. But we love living in the lower Hudson Valley. There are so many great hikes here. And Breakneck is the grand-daddy of them all. It starts with a rock scramble up 1000+ feet, then smooths out over the next several miles. We take all of our able-bodied visitors to this wonderful attraction.

This is the perfect getaway spot for anyone looking to reconnect with the outdoors and experience life for what it truly is

The hike was pretty intense from the get-go. I didn't anticipate it being quite as tough as it was, I was actually afraid. I figured the climbing of the rocks would end but it didn't. I am an avid hiker and don't mind climbing rocks, but it was just scary with the slippery leaves. Once you reach one of the many viewing points the views are AMAZING. You really cant beat it. Plus my boyfriend (finance) asked me to marry him with a stunning backdrop behind us and my sister caught it all on camera!:) Made it the best hike of my life!

It was a beautiful and difficult hike! I'm not in the best shape so it was hard for me but I did it and am proud! The views are magnificent. We just went today (mid April) and it was well traveled but not too crowded. There were no dogs. I am very happy we didn't bring our furry son either. Don't get me wrong he could handle it, but I'm not sure how we could handle him on a leash and not run into issues. So for all you dog lovers I would think this one through. A bit steep and slippery for little paws.

Definitely must do this one!

Breakneck Ridge is a great option for those who want a challenging hike around NYC, without having to rent a car.

Train details:
- Take the train to Breakneck (the stop after Cold Spring) - you'll need to exit from the last car, but they warn you. There's also a bathroom on the train you should use before you get off. There are also port-a-potties right at the trail head if need be.

- Depending on the loop you take, you can return from the Cold Spring station. My reco is to end up there and have a bite/drink at the restaurant that's right on the tracks.

Route - there's a visitor center (read: guy at a folding table) right at the trail head with maps and route suggestions. He told us to do the "We'll Be Right Back" trail - WBRB - White, Blue, Red, Blue loop, which takes about 3.5-4 hours, including breaks. It was a great suggestion.

You start with the rock scramble(s) which are aggressive and crowded on a weekend, but well worth it. The end of the loop is mostly flat/downhill, so it's really the first couple of hours that get you.

Beautiful views of the Hudson. Some parts are shady and others are pretty exposed to the sun, so bring sunscreen and lots of water.

At the end of that loop, there's another visitor station at Cold Spring that has more water you can refill if need be. This took about 4 hours, so plan accordingly with the train timing!

If you have hiking shoes, I'd recommend them, but there were plenty of people wearing sneakers, too. Shorts were also fine.

There are a bunch of other trails there, including one to the Water Tower, that we didn't do, so this is definitely a place you can keep coming back to. Impressive!

As the Supervisor of the Town of Philipstown, the home of most of the trails that lead to Breakneck and beyond I implore you to find another area to hike during the Covid 19 outbreak. We are literally being over-run with visitors most of whom are not adhering to any of the social distancing protocols. Since the suspension of most weekend rail service the roads are jammed with visitors and our only market stripped bare after the weekend onslaught. I can not understand how anyone could find it enjoyable to be on a single lane trail in a line with thousands of other hikers. It is a beautiful place but the visitors are killing it. The trails are destroyed, there is trash every where and many feel compelled to leave behind so much graffiti that it can be seen from across the river. If you love the environment then give this area a rest because you are loving this place to death.

Getting there:
You can easily take a train from NYC for $22 off peak round trip and be there in a little longer than an hour. Train station is near the beginning of the trail. Or you can drive and find parking also right where the trail begins.
Hiking: the beginning is very difficult but once you get to the top you is a very rewarding view and the rest is very easy. Make sure to bring the proper shoes and water. You will definitely be doing some cardio on the way up.

Here's the story. 3 kids...10, 12, 16. We do all sorts of things from ice and rock climbing to shark diving. This is a hugely popular spot and some adventurers lack decent climbing etiquette by being right on top of you. Not cool. The majority of the climb is manageable but there are a few spots that are very risky and exposed without protection. Let me be clear...there is risk associated with the whole climb but there are a few spots that up the ante. While these spots are not hard a mistake can be bad and even fatal. My 10 year old was certainly the youngest and while she did not have difficulty with the climbing I was mentally taxed worrying about my wife and 3 kids in spots. We had a blast but this is not for the faint of heart. There are spots that you can "opt out" of risky spots but with my group of 5 it was difficult to wrangle every one as people were all over the place. It's definitely a must do but don't let the popularity lull you into a false sense of security. Be aware that this is a serious, yet worthy adventure.

Local lifelong hiker here. Writing reviews, not to scare people away but because it seems since the start of COVID that we have been inundated with hikers, many of them first timers to the area and to hiking in general. First. There is litter and graffiti everywhere, of a level I've not seen before. People are not wearing masks or maintaining good social distance. Please clean up after yourselves and pick up trash if you see it. Second, a lot of people come wearing flip flops or basic shoes. Breakneck Ridge is, as the name suggests, full of vertical scrambles and rocky paths. Please, please wear proper footwear and do not stray from the paths. The undergrowth is dense and we have had people unable to find their way back to the trail. Which brings me to the final point: dear "lost hikers," YOUR MAP APP/GPS IS WRONG. We have so many hikers wandering and even driving onto private property because they followed their map apps and not the street signs. Lake Surprise and the spur going up to Half Moon are PRIVATE ROADS. You cannot access the trail from them! Police have been and will be called on trespassers. At first locals were nice but some tourists took it too far and ruined it for everyone. Just a suggestion, if you see a house with a grill on the porch, something that looks like a lawn, a driveway or a swimming pool....it is not there for public use! Please follow street signs and not your phone.

This trail is very recommended for the ones who are in good hiking shape.
It start with a long ascend to 4 overlook points looking over the Hudson river.
Beautiful view and great workout for the body.

Took us about 3 hours from the parking lot on the White - red - yellow trail.

The first part of the hike consists of a fun scramble up rocks. The rest is just your typical hilly walk. It's fairly well marked, traveled and totally worth it if you're in the neighborhood.

OMG the best 8 mile, 6 hour hike ever! We finally conquered Breakneck, which is appropriately named ! Exquisite views, challenging terrains, great satisfaction, tired feet! All in all, a great dat

Highly recommend this activity filled day trip! We took the Metro North from Grand Central to Breakneck Ridge and hiked to Cold Springs. It took about 3 hours, including a slight detour (we got lost) on the way. Bring water and snacks to last you this time. From the Breakneck station, you instantly start scrambling up the mountain. We were warned on the popularity of the hike, and made sure to get there early. There was only one section where we had to wait in a line for people to climb up. Besides the first 15-20 mins of scrambling, the rest is not too bad. There will be sections where you have to use your all 4's, so be prepared to sweat if it's hot!

Went here a few years ago with friends and came back with the kids . Easy climb/hike to the top. Great views of the Hudson River and surrounding areas. Dog and kid friendly ,but keep an eye on your kids and your dog on a leash . there are drop off so common sense is a must on this trip. Be safe have fun . Watch out for snakes !!! leave them alone they will leave you alone .

Bottom line: if you are experienced be next to the exit when you get out of the train otherwise you will be stuck behind a hundred people for the whole ascension.

We took the 8:45 am train from grand central on Sunday.
The hike is really hard the first 30 minutes - very steep and you need you hands and your legs to climb up. But it is also a really beautiful path with amazing views. If like me you are an experienced hiker and if your prefer the sounds of nature to the loud conversations of New Yorkers you’d better leave very early and/or get out of the train first because it’s really hard to overtake people in the first half hour of the track and it’s VERY noisy.
It took us a good hour to overtake everybody and then it became real nice and quiet.
It is also true that you will sweat a lot and need a lot of water because the first hour is really physical. We drunk three liters of water for the two of us for the 4 hour trek.
I did not like the last part of the trek that goes along the highway to Cold Spring because you can hear the noise of the cars - so I would probably look for another path next time.

It was so pretty getting to the outlooks and taking a break to take it all in! I’m pretty new to hiking mountains like these, so it was a good experience and now I feel like I know what not being and what to bring for next time! I just advise you for beginners make sure you wear some kind of hiking shoe- boot/sneaker with some type of traction that are non-slip, because I didn’t come prepared 🤦‍♀️ and wore just sneakers and had a hard time not slipping. Easy instructions following the path, there are maps just in case! Also make sure your backpack is not too heavy pack light, because it will weigh you down!

my husband promised a hike today but long story short he preferred to stay on the couch when the day came! Pretty upset, I hopped on my bike - took it from queens to Grand Central, hopped on the first train to cold spring and BAM! 2,5hours later, there I was! Fair is about $30 round trip. No biggie. “Baby I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight!” As Rihanna puts it. There’s only one road to the trailhead from cold spring and let me tell you - it is dangerous for pedestrians and bikers - practically zero shoulder. Most drivers were courteous and gave me some space but a few nearly gave me a heart attack and I’m not a chicken on a bike - I ride NYC streets no problem. Some people walk this route - no thank you - waste of time. Get yourself a cab to take you there - it’s 10min by bike from Cold Spring. Once at the trailhead there’s a park volunteer with a pop up table showing ppl maps and suggesting you time your trip as it gets dark around 5pm this time of year. After that, you get in the thick of things - it’s a pretty darn rock scramble for about 30-40 minutes depending on your level of fitness. I am not an amateur but I wouldn’t consider myself super fit either. I’m an office dweller who enjoys a 90 min yoga flow 3 times a week, a 3mile run twice a week and some long distance biking whenever I can find some time. This was my 2nd attempt at this damn mountain.... and let me tell you I was proud of myself cuz the first time around I looked up at the route and turned right back home. I’m not gonna lie, if you dont look down and just keep on going, it’s not THAT hard. You just have to take it one step at a time and look at your footing. You CAN do this. I can too..... maybe next time! I chickened out near the very top where the trail turns right to a very exposed cliff. One mistake and the could turn fatal. My life flashed in front of my eyes and I thought to myself: you’re pissed he didn’t come with you, the office job isn’t really your dream job, your kid is all grown up now, but is this really worth taking the risk??? I could go on but you already know the ending - I didn’t make it to the damn flag although it was at the stretch of a few feet. Turned back humbled yet again. But that’s what doing anything in life is all about! It’s not necessarily about the result, it’s about the experience. As my yoga instructor would say: dismiss your ego, allow yourself to fail and keep trying. One day it’ll just come to you. Wise words. Surprisingly the route down felt easier than up which is usually the other way around. I did, I’ll admit, use my arsss to navigate some tricky spots and it felt good! It felt safe! So be it! My hub is gonna ask where I’ve been when sees my behind and I’ll be like Breakarrrs ridge baby! Hike wouldn’t be complete without some hit food so I sped down that scary road as fast as I could to the very artsy but somehow creepy town of cold spring. Went to Le Bouchon and had some onion soup, wild boar with papardele and creme brulee what a strange confused restaurant: the lights kept dimming as if there was a problem with the wires. It’s supposedly a french restaurant, but you could even get german kaiser spetzle. The music ranged from old french tunes to italian to 80’s mix to disco chill vibes. I was so confused. But the food wasn’t bad or was I just that hungry?! Possible.

Anyway to sum things up for you: it’s a pretty difficult, risky scramble if you sit at a desk all week and do nothing else, its not THAT hard, but still challenging if you’re not new to some consistent moderate activity. You will get an adrenaline rush for sure. You might even remind yourself of you fear of heights hahaha. It will require shoes/boots with good grip and some guts. Sometimes you may have to use some upper body strength to pull yourself up - I was happy I had my bike gloves. water - not necessarily unless its a hot day but always have some sure. Was it worth the attempt? You betcha! Were the views breathtaking? I’ve definately seen more impressive views but these are not bad if you can’t travel further due to lack of car. Will I attempt it again and make it to the top? I don’t doubt it. I just have to wait for another day he’ll refuse to take me hiking.

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Locals are pretty annoyed by having to stop for idiot out of towners who think the road and the trail is their playground. The road by the trail is a high speed road and you can lose your life if you underestimate this fact. This trail is NOT for everyone. It is NOT like going to the beach or central park for the day. So so many hikers need to be rescued and locals are tired of having to wait for your dumb asses to get out of the way because you don't know what you are doing. Stay in the city and stop ruining this area for others. People aren't going to keep being nice if you get lost and wind up on their lawn. Do not walk there. IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. Cold Spring is a very small town by the way and streets are closed off on weekends because too many out of towners are flooding the area. The hike is very dangerous and falling rocks are also inevitable. Be safe, be smart.

best place to go hiking with nice views of hudson
river; it was a 3 hour trail which was not that difficult.

If you want a physical challenge, incredible views every step and a healthy dose of adrenaline added to your hiking this is the perfect spot for you. However, I do not recommend this hike (the white trail) for young children or if you aren't an experienced hiker with at least some rock scrambling experience. There are some options for easier alternative routes up in spots but if you've got a fear of heights you should think twice. This is not a easy physical hike. That said, I do this hike at least once a year and I'm rewarded with amazing views and a sense of accomplishment every time. The Hudson River is at your back the entire way up, and its a quick steep climb. At times you will be using your hands to help pull yourself up. Once you start, there's really no turning back until you reach the peak. The trails down provide a much more traditional and accessible hike. If you've got the physical ability and a little courage you'll have an amazing day! Enjoy!

I’ve done a lot of trails in the New York area but this one quickly became my favorite. I wouldn’t recommend kids but I overheard one of the guides saying it’s kid-friendly. The scrambling was challenging at times but the added to the great experience. The work you put in is rewarded by amazing views.

Did this hike today w a friend. We drove up from midtown Manhattan (about 1.5 hrs) and was able to find parking around 9:15 am right next to the trailhead. There is a small staff of people next to portapotties to ask questions and give maps. Def take a map.

I wish I knew more what to expect beforehand. I knew it was a rock scramble up but I didn't know it was as long as it was!! I think it's about less than a mile but it was long and tough. I'm a generally fit person and made the mistake of working out intensely the night before so I was pretty wiped out halfway thru. I'm also a short person (5'2") and even though I made it up, tall people definitely have an advantage as some rocks are steep or do not have much footing so you really need to pull yourself up. My advice is to bring gloves as you will definitely be using your hands to get up on some areas and it rained the day before so it was a tad wet and muddy.

Anyway the map is misleading cuz it shows you like three viewpoints along the way. And I did see three along the way but I realized when I got halfway up the trail that I only passed one on the map!! Initially our plans was to do the white trail, then red (going left) then yellow (back down to route 9D) but I was so exhausted that I stopped in the middle of the breakneck trail up and instead took the yellow trail (going right) down to red, and then green to route 9D. We finished in about 3 hours and I think this route was about 3.5 miles total.

The views up are fantastic though. I just thought that we were done w the rock scramble when I saw the flags on a ledge but NO. That was like just the beginning. After that vista (which is gorgeous and worth the hike up) there is another set of rocks to scramble up and then another. By the way on the way after the second vista up look for white markers that say easy alternate route and you can avoid a portion of the rock scramble to the top (this was towards the end of the rock scramble).

Anyway after the majority of the rock scramble is over you will come to a fork in the road. One trail to the left keeps going up further (no rocks but still steep trail up which takes you to the red trail) and the other trail is called under hill trail and it's marked w yellow markers.

We took the underhill cuz I could not fathom climbing up anymore. I was hungry and bottle of water was almost done (def take two!! And a snack!!). The trail down is NOT easy. It's not difficult but not a walk in the park either. It's rocky and steep and looked like they were doing some work along the trail. Trail is easily marked though.

Anyway after a long while you will see signs that tell you there's an easier route out. We took that and it was still quite a long time before we got out of the park. By the time you get to the red and green trails to the end though the paths are much easier and flat and less rocky. Then when you reach the road the walk back to the trailhead is like 5 min away thru the tunnel.

All in all it was fun and challenging. Just come prepared w energy, lots of water and a snack esp in the summer! And start early! Gloves really helped me cuz I'm a germaphobe and hate getting scrapes. Also def wear hiking boots. I almost wore sneakers and glad I didn't. Ankle support was much needed given how rocky this is.

Do not recommend if you're out of shape or reeeeally scared of heights (once you go up the rock scramble I think it's much worst going back down the same way!)

This is outstanding trek with a rock scramble on all fours as you go straight up 1100 feet. This part is tough for anyone and not recommended during rain or wet conditions. It's not for young kids, non-athletes and people with fear of heights. There are a few spots where there is a clear drop down where you're essentially hanging by holding rocks and pulling yourself up. During windy conditions this could be an interesting experience to say the least.

I hiked here to prep for the trek up Kilimanjaro. Now that I've successfully completed Kilimanjaro trek, I think hiking here was a great preparation for two reasons. One it came in handy scaling the Barranco Wall and second it helped getting accustomed to heights.

Great trail as long as you're ready for it. After the initial scaling of 100 or so feet the rest of the trail is relatively normal.

Breakneck Ridge is 3 minutes from the nice town of Cold Spring, an hour and a quarter from NYC, and 40 minutes from Poughkeepsie. It's a nice trail, and if you came to this trail looking for rock scramble, bingo! A good half to three-quarters of the way up (don't worry, it's not down) is rock scramble: steep, slightly challenging, and a great adventure. The views at each point are spectacular and cannot be captured by photo, and the higher you get, the more impressive they become. So I recommend this as a good Saturday hike when you have nothing to do and are devoted.

This should 100% not be a public hike. While the hikes nearby are very nice, the section that is the uphill scramble that lets off from MTA is incredibly dangerous - not because it is hard, but because it is literally unstable. Today we saw one boulder the size of a small car and another boulder the size of a bicycle get dislodged and fall. One girl was frozen, and had the boulder continued to fall and not stop on a ledge, she absolutely would have been seriously injured or killed. I and a friend were underneath the larger boulder only a minute or so before.

No one was hurt, but when we approached the parks department, they said they know of the problem but can't do anything because the MTA owns the section off the Breakneck Ridge stop all the way up to the flags for the initial scramble. They have notified them, but they aren’t doing anything about it.

The MTA should be ashamed for letting this be open without doing stabilization work on it. Do not hike this section of the trail.

Went there for photography and didn't prepare a map. Google maps didnt work.
This was my first hiking experience, and it was extreamly difficult. Read enough information before you go. I was lost for several times. I was in the mountain for six hours, and I was so lucky to be out 20mins before the sunset, otherwise it would be dangerous.
But I loved the pics I took! (Copyright protected)

The first part was pretty much climbing up- it was pretty steep at points but manageable. One point I did have to be pulled up as couldn’t seem to find a place to clamber up. It was worth it though. Views are amazing and definitely get a sense of achievement. The route is well signposted although in middle we did get a little off track but found our way back! Really enjoyed this hiking in upstate New York.

We did the Breakneck Ridge Bypass (white - red - yellow) on a pretty cold day and it was very manageable. Before the hike, I read a lot of reviews and guides describing the rock scrambling as extremely challenging and I was hesitant to go on the hike as a result. But in reality, despite the steepness, you’ll only be climbing for an hour at most, and the rest of the hike is walking on flat trails. We finished the bypass loop in 4 hours (actual hiking time) including a detour onto the blue trail, so we could’ve probably done it in 3.5 hours or less. We were climbing at a very easy pace; most other hikers, including a group of kids, were way ahead of us. The views were amazing, even on a cloudy day; it felt great to be looking down at the spectacular Hudson River. I go on a few hikes a year, do light cardio daily and never lift weights; I believe anyone who’s not completely out of shape can do this hike and enjoy it!

The trails and views are fabulous. The limitations vary. Summers and weekends draw crowds of 4,000-5,000 hikers. They come on train, but many by car. They park along the shoulder of 9D where police are finally beginning to ticket, and then walk toward the trail - often in the 9D roadway, where one was struck, this summer. So don't even think of driving, and walking to the trail here during those times.

Try to come on off weekdays, or when the weather isn't great - you will have a lot more space to yourself. The walk from Cold Spring RR Station is a long one, and also in the roadway. Look for when the Breakneck Ridge Station is open.

Never go off trail - you might step on a cottonmouth, or rattler. You'll need a helicopter.

Bring the right gear, and plenty of hydration. In the busy times, it can get crowded, and noisy - scaring any fauna away for miles. Many have the wrong gear, no hydration, or they simply aren't fit enough to make this dicey trail. They also tend to get careless with their refuse along the trail. The lamest ones have to be airlifted out off the ridge.

Follow these hints and you'll be fine.

If you are looking to spend a nice sunny autumn day with kids away from anything digital while enjoying some exercise and great nature's views, I would highly recommend to try this trail. The trail starts with steep rocky surfaces that required us to use hands to go up. I took my 6- and 9-year old last year as well as now-7 and 10 this year. They independently handled the steepness very well. Last year, we started with white trail, then red to yellow to come back to parking on 9D. That was a bit more than 3 hours trip. This year, we went over from white to blue to red, enjoying some "haunted town" my middle son called on the blue trail. It took us a bit less than 4 hours and kids really loved it. You will be rewarded with great views of Hudson Valley with hawks circling in the sky within 1 hour of elevated hiking. We made it our annual event when school is closed as the trail could be very crowded on weekends and holidays.

A very challenging hike with lots of uphill climbing over rocks, but the views make it all worth while.

This hike is not for beginners. You get over 1,200' of elevation gain if you go all the way to the top. There are four false summits so when you think you've reached the top.. think again and hike on. The beginning of hike is an immediate steep vertical rock scramble.. pretty much is like that all the way with a few plateaus to rest and take in magnificent views of Hudson River and Storm King Mountain.

Make sure to bring lots of water. Also if you go when it is less than 78 degrees out bring a warm layer as it will feel chilly if there is a wind on top of mountain.

There are no easy outs once you commit as the only way out once you are half way up mountain is go all the way and then another 2+ miles for the bypass route; or go back down the way you climbed up.. not recommended if you hate looking down steep climbs. If you can do it, I recommend it. It's one of our favorite hikes within 90 minutes of NYC.

There are two parking lots as well as parking along road.
The Metro North train from NYC stops at Breakneck train stop platform about 1/2 mile north of trailhead.

After your hike you can go have a drink and bite in the quaint town of Cold Spring just a few miles south on Route 9D.

Hike Strong, Live Long!

Breakneck and Highlands are amazing if not sometimes overcrowded but many people try to access the trails via Lake Surprise Road in Cold Spring, NY and the GPS is wrong - not only is the road to the trails not drive-able from this side - - the top of Lake Surprise Road is private property, gated and you can´t access the trails from there which is frustrating! The only way to access the trails is via Rte. 9D in Cold Spring so save yourself some time and ignore the GPS!

Enjoyed a hike up this mountain, a guide told us it is one of the country's best day hikes. I was fit and prepared for it, but wish signs and park rangers made clearer before the main ascent that most of it is more a rock scramble/climb than a hike. Saw a few older people struggling who might've turned back with more warning. Still, if you are in shape, and don't mind some rock scrambling, the views are worth it, and the descent trails are much more stable and scenic.

you do all the work in the first 45 minutes and hit 4 viewpoints over the hudson along the way. some turn back and head straight down, if here just for the exercise. we took the bypass back down, which meanders through some forest before plopping out on the main road (total 2 hours). will definitely come back to do the longer full ridge trail which then connects to wilkinsons further NE (6 hours). for those not used to hiking, it is a fair amount of scrambling and climbing in the first section. there are several alternate routes which are marked and generally easier uphill paths through woods on the left of the rocks.

wear actual hiking shoes with grip. saw plenty of people scraping up knees and just overall looking beat up because they didn't know what they were doing.

its get really crowded on the main road so show up early if looking for parking, especially sundays.

Generally considered as the best one along Hudson valley because it is challenging and has amazing views, Breakneck ridge trail is always super crowded in summer, especially on weekends. In contrast, it was so quiet in winter that one could have all the beautiful views just to self. Even before the forcasted Nor'easter snow storm coming in, high mountains were already covered by snow. The gentle sunlight in winter further made everything look so peaceful and graceful. On top of the lookout tower on south beacon mountain, it was the true 360-degree panoramic view of extended ranges and Hudson river.

Overall, it was indeed a wonderful hiking experience. Of course, hiking a steep trail during winter is more demanding than in Summer, so it is really for those prepared and capable.

We went as a group of 6 and helped each other encourage one another. It was a great experience the rocky scramble is definitely what makes this hike tough but very worth it. As we got through the peaks I just couldn’t believe I was at 1200 feet in the sky and going a few more steps up. The green of the mountains made such a beautiful complement with the hudson river. It was beautiful. The scenery at the mountain itself was great for pictures. The loop starts as a white trail eventually leading to a red trail and takes you down through yellow. Its a great way to spend the day in the outdoors.

Very nice day climbing up and having a pique nique with a view !
Do not forget to bring some water. They give out maps at the entrance of the trail, which is very helpful :)

This hike is not a walk in the park. It is very steep at times and honestly, dangerous. It's very popular and very rewarding once you reach the top. The view from the top is unbeatable. I've hiked this easily 10-15 times already.

I've done this hike many times over the last 20 years and its popularity has increased dramatically. It is challenging relative to other hikes in the area, particularly if you go up the face (white trail). It is a rock scramble with some precarious areas. It is completely doable as long as you are careful, watch your footing and are in reasonably good health. The views are the best in the Hudson Valley. The worst part about it? The crowds. On a nice weekend, you will be practically tripping over people to the point that it's actually a safety issue. Additionally, there are inconsiderate people who let their dogs off leash(which is illegal) while people are trying to climb steep rocks: selfish with absolutely no common sense. I've had pets throughout my life and would not consider bringing them on this hike and neither should you. The crowds in general present enough of a hazard. I swear if someone slips, it's going to be human dominoes down the rocks. Parking can also be an issue. It fills up quickly and you will most likely have to park a good distance from the trailhead. There are port-o-potties at the trail which is a plus or minus depending on how you feel about them. If you want to get the most out of this hike, I strongly suggest going during the week when there is less congestion. If that's not possible then you have to accept that it'll be a less-than-serene hiking experience.

Strenuous ascend but totally worth it - great hike with wonderful scenic views! Easy to find your way - WBRB (will be right back) was the tour we took - was really great and brought us back to cold spring mta station in 4hrs - great getaway from nyc, make sure to have proper hiking shoes!

Came out for the scramble, it was fantastic, it's a scramble, fantastic view, we went in the late spring, great weather, going back in the fall.

I highly recommend this place so I haven’t been there in years, but I plan on visiting in the near future! A beautiful view once you get up top!!

I had my doubts. The reviews said this was hard. I doubted whether I could do it but it was great. The initial assent was super steep. I'm afraid of heights but I did it. I channeled my inner mountain goat and did it.

The trail was well labeled, so it was easy to navigate.

I would recommend this on a weekday because it can get crowded during the weekend. We went on a Tuesday and saw plenty of people.

Bring food and drinks. Use the bathroom before you go and have a great time.

My wife and two friends decided to attempt climbing Breakneck Ridge after passing by it for many years. As this is a rock scramble most areas are not that difficult but there were a couple of places where I literally wasn't sure I could make it. But going back down didn't seem to be an option. So we pushed ourselves to the top for an amazing view of the Hudson River and the valley below. There is another easier path down that we took. Well worth the effort considering we are all 60 years old.

This was the third time i did the breakneckrdge hike.All times we started later in the day around 3pm and was able to find parking no problem and all the crowds had already finished the hike. The first section of the hike is straight up and for us super fun. You have t have proper hiking shoes and be in descent shape and bring water.

The views are phenomenal and this time there were lots of hawks drifting in the air sort of suspended and riding the air it was magical.

The start of the hike can be a little strenuous but the end is a meandering path. Despite the naysayers saying it’s dangerous. it’s fine you do need to be careful but if you are aware and in pretty good shape you’ll do great. again this was our third time to hike this and we thoroughly enjoyed it every time.

While the views up high are stunning and the trails clearly marked, this system is so overused and poorly maintained that it's depressing and quite ugly in places. Some of the worst erosion and trail conditions I've seen anywhere; should be closed and allowed to recover.

This is a justly famous, difficult hike with great views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains. It can get crowded on weekends, and parts of the trail are slick and gravelly from all the people who travel it.

You'll need good cardio health to complete this hike, which is a hands-and-feet scramble in places. There are a few points with marked easier alternatives, but even those aren't exactly easy.

Wear appropriate footwear! There are usually volunteers at the base advising hikers of what to expect, but I still saw some people walking up wearing flip-flops. Don't be that guy.

I went during the pandemic with several friends of mine. When we arrive at the site, it was closed. We ended up driving close by to Bear Mountain and had a great time.

It's not the most demanding hike in the world, and it more than pays off for the views you get when you reach the peak.

Took the rock scramble route, steep and challenging for my 58 yr old wife and me - 64 yrs with an artificial knee! ... But we made it to the top more or less - the views at a few points were excellent - the foliage and river - and worth the effort - we took the less steep / easy route down - it is waaayyy too crowded there on a fall weekend - do your self a favor and take a day off from work and go on a week day - limited parking on rt 9 and you might get hit by a car passing by

Just a good hike, with great views! Sure wish everyone would carry out their trash. Your really dont need to bring water bottles; but if you do; take them out. Thanks Last time I hiked I carried in nothing and carried out 4 plastic bags full of trash.. Found the plastic bags and the trash along the way.....

Pretty challenging, and enjoyable. We don't hike a lot but it was very easy to follow. The climbing was fun and the view, just amazing.

NOTE: ONLY ON THE WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS does the Metro North (Poughkeepsie bound) stop at Breakneck Ridge. Any other day, you can stop at Cold Spring but in my opinion, the more fun and challenging hike is from Breakneck Ridge starting point.

I have been hiking many places. Albeit, I wouldn't say I am a hiking expert by any means but I've hiked enough times to know which hikes are challenging and which aren't. Granted, that's also all subjective but I would say on average, this is a nice challenge of a hike for even the most seasoned hikers. And definitely an arduous but rewarding journey for those whom don't hike much and for first timers. I wouldn't say it's treacherous but for some people, it can be. Regardless, KNOW BEFORE HAND that there's a good amount of rock scrambling. It IS NOT rock climbing, for those whom constantly say it is. I have seen so many people come to this hike claiming there's rock climbing, there is NOT. The best way to explain rock scrambling is that its like a lite version of rock climbing. Trust me however, when you do actual rock climbing, you'll know the difference.

Anyway, I would recommend hiking from Breakneck into the town of Cold Spring, if you want a few hours journey and some beautiful views of the Hudson River. And then pass the Cornish estate along the way. From there, you'll be in the beautiful, small, quaint town of Cold Spring which actually boast some great eats and some of the BEST ice cream I've had anywhere, in Moo Moo's! An excellent way to finish off the hike!

There's actually many different trails the hike can take you into. There's the fire tower hike, which would be an 8 hour or so journey. However, if you are coming from NYC and are looking for a good day hike, while being able to get back to the city, this would be the perfect hike. It's challenging, rewarding, fun and will definitely get you hooked on hiking. Or maybe not actually but its a journey non-the-less. I love to come here at least 3-4 times a year. At least 2 times to bring some friends who have never done this before or at least 2 times by myself to get a speed run in.

I would also want to leave with this: This is a great hike to meet people. I always meet some cool people who are either fellow city slickers are locals from around the area. Always a good time!

TIPS:

-If you want to avoid crowds, get here super early if you can. Especially when the weather warms up

-Bring PLENTY of water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

-TAKE YOUR TIME. Especially if you're new to this. Don't worry about other people, go at your pace and take your time. Even if you're seasoned, don't try to show off. it's not that serious.

-Lastly, HAVE FUN!!

DOG HIKE: I hike with my dog. This is NOT the best hike with your dog. It is stressful and uncomfortable.

*if you don’t have a dog with you and want a pretty challenging hike this is super awesome with an amazing view this is a 5 star review*

I had my dog on a 6 foot leash and it was extremely difficult to navigate the steep trails.

We came up via Cornish trail past the ruins and then up the mountain.

For a while, trails it was easy and then the rock outcropping started.

My dog has a very strong recall so I feel quite comfortable letting him off leash.

However, the higher we got I had to put him on leash. The trail is very cliffy. For me, my dog is young and runs and jumps before he thinks. It is dangerous for such a dog.

From climbing the summit to descending it it was tough with a dog. 6 foot leash is too short.
I was more stressed than relaxed trying to navigate both yellow and white trail up and down the summit.

I’d not go here with your dog.

This loop will be closed to the general public for the 2018 season as renovations are made to the trailhead, Metro North railroad station and thus allowing the trailside's regrowth. We have seen firsthand the increased popularity of Breakneck Ridge and although it truly is a wonderful view from the top, there are more dangers along the roadway, train tracks and parking than on the trail, hence the need for new infrastructure. Rumor has it there will also be ADA compliance for mass transit but I am not sure how that construction could finalize without additional mechanical structures built.

If you are lucky enough to get a pass for the 2018 season, I look forward to viewing the trail's regrowth and maintenance. Otherwise, see y'all in 2019!

Easy access from NYC by train (approximately 50-60 min from 125th Street in Harlem). On weekends there are a few trains that stop at Breakneck Ridge (Check HUDSON LINE on Metro-North). Exit the train from the last car(s) only! And these cars are full of hikers and often with no seats available.
Fun strenuous hiking with gorgeous views. Many hikers visiting it on the weekend. Bring your own picnic to the trail or visit one of several good restaurants in Cold Spring town before boarding train back to the city in Cold Spring.

Very nice views. Got there about 6:15 a.m -- started climbing the white trail. Climb up as tough and so couldn't enjoy the views as much as I would have liked, though there are a couple of intermediate points to do so.

I really enjoyed this hike once the initial group from the train thinned out. I wouldn't say it was overly difficult, the rock climb at the start was fun! But maybe don't do it if you're afraid of heights. I took the blue loop down to Cold Springs rather than looping back to the Breakneck Train Station which was a nice downhill wander to cool down with.