Rigorous hike, I won't lie. It gets steep quickly, like right off the bat. It's not necessarily very people friendly, if you were to take kids or elderly here - you'd have to really take your time. The view is worth it though. read more

First hike in quite a long time and it was quite a nice morning for it. Quite a large parking lot for plenty of hikers and it's pretty close at the beacon bridge if you're commuting. The trails are very neatly kept and even though there was quite a few people up and down the trails, it was very peaceful. I would say this is a moderate hike experience wise. Definitely take some snacks and water as well. read more

Mt. Beacon Park - The first platform - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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Love this trail. It's a bit challenging as it's an uphill hike, but as always, the views are super rewarding! read more

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Much more difficult then I thought it would be, but maybe that's because I'm still tired from leg day? Great hike, with some extremely rewarding scenery. Firetower is a bit scary but 100% worth it. read more

Mt. Beacon Park - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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The most difficult trail I'd been so far. I loved it. I rate myself a beginner hiker and has just started taking moderate trails. I have difficult In the beginning. There are 200 steps up ( stairs) at the start before reaching the steep road trail. Lots of pebbles, stones , rocks on an inclined path before we made it to first view point. The view of the River and the Beacon town is beautiful from the top. Added bonus point on this trail are the railroad ruins and visible spot of where once the casino was standing. After these, the trail to the tower becomes easier. Though it is another mile going up, it is bearable knowing our final destination is the fiery fire tower!!!! On top of the tower everything seems surreal. The magnificent colors of foliage is so wonderful to see. It is not bad climbing up, just don't look down on your way up and look steady on your way down for those who are scared of heights. It took us 4 hours to finish the trail. It includes lots of photo ops, resting and chatting. The total mikes as I learned back up is 4.4 miles and a gain elevation of 1500 ft tower included. It was an epic adventure and glad that I made it. One star less for the uncleanliness of the porta potty stationed in the beginning of the trail. The last time it was maintained was 4 days ago. read more

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Want to go to this place foe a while elevation was 1500+feet to Mount Beacon Fire Tower! The trail's a bit of a workout, but reaching the top is well worth it read more

Mt. Beacon Park - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

This is an awesome moderately difficult hike around the Hudson highlands. This is about 4.4 miles out and back from trailhead to fire tower and back. A total of about 1,500 elevation gain and will take an average hiker about 3-4 hours to complete including rest time, snacking, taking photos and enjoying the views. Highlights of this hike is the railway ruins, 200 step stairs at the start, Casino cliff top overlook, railway machinery ruins and the fire tower. They have ample space at the car parking lot (trailhead), has two charging stations for your car if needed and two portable restrooms. On the first mile going up, you will feel as if you are climbing stairs due to the steepness, a very good cardio workout, the second half going up is less steep, lots of rocks and pebbles on the pathway which can cause some people to lose their footings, so you just have to be very careful. Due to the steepness of the trail you will always pass by some people trying to catch their breath and having a momentary rest. Halfway up you will be rewarded by a nice casino overlook cliff top view, a good place to rest after the tough trail up. Don't forget to visit the railway machinery ruins which is near the casino overlook cliff top view. Once you get to the fire tower at the very top you will be greeted with an open - spectacular 360 mountain top view, lots of nice spots to have a photo or selfie, and you get the chance to climb up the fire tower if you have no fear of heights. Trekking this trail is impressive, wonderful, fantastic and marvelous as to what it offers. read more

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It's definitely a bit tough for beginners. We did the 2.1 mile trail from the parking lot to the fire tower. The first half of the trail was quite steep. And most of the trail consisted of lots of loose rock. So, going was slow and deliberate. I think my sister and mom and I are in good shape. It took us 56 minutes to get to the top and 50 minutes to get down, with no rest. We were huffing and puffing and dripping sweat the entire way up, and even on the way down. Those loose pebbles can get tricky on the way down. Next time I'm wearing biking gloves, in case I slip. That way, my hands won't get cut on the rocks. (I slipped about a foot on the way down, but managed to catch myself before going down.) But the view from the top was totally worth it. The fire tower was an added bonus. It's about 6 stories tall. It was fairly easy walking up, as you don't need to look down through all the metal slats. No such luck going down. You must look down. And the steps are narrow, so it forces you to step somewhat sideways. If you don't step sideways, you'll scrape the back of your ankles on the steps. Parking wise, there's a decent size lot. When full, I hear you can park on the side of the road. We went on a weekday, and in the afternoon. So, the lot was only half full when we got there, and even less full when we were done in the later afternoon. We saw lots of people sitting down on the side of the trail, taking breaks. It's definitely not for most beginners. But, finishing the challenge was definitely worthwhile. Now, I'll have to give my knees a few days' break. read more

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Nice hike to the top 1.8 miles and 1600 feet to the summit. Great hike for a beginner or family, only downside is this is a popular hike and can get crowded. Highly recommend getting there early. read more

This trail boasts some of the best panoramic views of the Hudson (especially for those who reach the fire tower) but man oh man, you'll definitely work for it in the first hour or so of pure cardio. While I tend to err on the couch potato side of the spectrum, I like to think of myself as decently in shape. The incline kicked my butt six ways to Sunday. At least you get the hardest part out of the way early on. A few notes: (1) There's no bathroom near the trailhead at this time. Previously, there sat an enormous gray Port-A-Pottie in one corner of the parking lot but, like many things that have gone kaput because of COVID, that has since been removed. Don't bother asking the little snack shack nearby for a bathroom on premises - they have plenty of Oreos and coconut water but no WC. (2) This is probably common sense but make sure to bring enough water. Oh and drink that water. That would be smart. I think my body has gotten used to a perpetual state of dehydration which is fine for my otherwise completely sedentary lifestyle but I was feeling the nausea going up. The rest of my group however were as nimble as mountain goats. Luckily, there were plenty of rocks along the sides offering relatively flat and comfortable surfaces for my tired rumpus to take a break. Numerous breaks. I see another review saying how it took only half an hour to go up but for me, it felt like a lot longer. I definitely haven't been using my time in quarantine to better my conditioning, that's for sure. (3) Some of the trail markings were difficult to make out. We lost our way a few times or started heading off-trail or on a completely different trail and had to retrace our footsteps. (4) The fire tower at the summit was really cool, though I chickened out not even halfway up and had to turn back. For the brave souls who completed the journey, apparently coming down was a lot worse. (5) Given how far the trailhead is from the train station, I would budget extra time both ways if you're a nervous nelly about missing a train time or look into renting a car and driving over. read more

Mount Beacon is a great climb. It's challenging yet not enough to detract you from finishing. It's a good mile up hill to a beautiful view of the Hudson Valley. I wouldn't climb this having never tried hiking or trail mountain climbing because there is that degree of difficulty to it, but I am not a Park Ranger so who am I to judge or offer direction? The sites alone are worth every huff, puff and beads of sweat. Brings a camera, water and good shoes. read more

We we're supposed to go camping, however the weather looked not very appropriate so we decided to just go around a hike for a bit. There are 3 types of hiking trails as we know. The shorter one we took cause the others were either 3.5 miles or 7 miles. We took the 1.5 miles hike and it was very tiring but worth it. Make sure to bring plenty of water. We also saw a lot of people binging their pets for the hike, so if you wanna bring your furry friend go right ahead. Up there you will see the train machinery that was used to get Up there in the past. After you finish the hike let me k ow how you liked it. read more

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A perfect morning hike in the middle of the winter. A little bit of snow and ice made for a beautiful, relaxing, brisk hike. As we are new to hiking we stayed on the red trail. We did the entire hike in about two 2 1/2 hours. We went up to the old casino. There are great views from here of Beacon and the bridge. Definitely check out the remains they are kindNeat. There is a deli right across the street to grab a hot cup of coffee or an egg sandwich when you're done. read more

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This is our favorite hike! Every year we drive up from the city and take this hike. This time we took our pup for his 1st Birthday ! The hike is steep but the view is majestic. We were able to see the mountain beyond and the city below. Definitely take this hike it took us about 35 minutes to go up. It's about a 4.4 mile hike. read more

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This section of Beacon Mountain is by far the steepest elevation gain in a short amount of time that I have experienced. So many people come out to this very spot looking like they expect a walk in the park which in my opinion this is not. I absolutely love this trail because of the very fact that it is a very steep incline that I can climb quickly & burn some intense calories. For an experienced hiker like myself it takes me about 15-18 mins to get to the top from the parking lot gate. For the inexperienced this will take about about an hour, maybe a little longer, with lots of breaks. I don't advise hiking this if you are not in average physical condition because it will get the heart pumping. I've seen people give up as soon as the stairs that lead up the trail. Beacon offers a vast amount of foot trails that span a good distance which is why so many people in the area and NYC love to venture up this mountain. If you're coming up for just the view I recommend being in decent/average physical condition. If you are a beginner and simply want an easy hike with a great view I always highly recommend Anthony's Nose further down the road about 12 miles near Bear Mountain. Anthony's is a shorter, less steep climb on the foot trail with an amazing view. If you dare to venture up Beacon bring lots of water, a walking stick if you have one, good sneakers (preferably hiking shoes) and a camera for the top. Take your time going up and enjoy the view when you make it. I recommend going all the way to the fire tower (an extra mile further) but most people will enjoy the top view and head back down. read more

Mt. Beacon Park - My distance to fire tower, time, pace and elevation gain stats. I took about a 20 min break at tower with people I was with. - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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Great mountain with a few different trails based on your interests. We opted for the Fire Tower Trail (red to white) which gave us sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and beyond at various points. If you are lucky enough to get a clear day, you won't be disappointed. We also stopped by the old Casino remains, which is limited now to just the gears and some foundation pieces. We also did a bit of back trail walking to the Beacon Reservoir (beautiful little hidden gem). If you're looking for quiet and beautiful foliage, this is your spot! The trailhead also has a fairly big parking lot, as well as a bodega like grocery store across the way. There town of Beacon also has a free shuttle service that runs a loop around Beacon from the train station to the trailhead. read more

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Another great hiking path around the Hudson Highlands. Though this one is a little far to get to from the train station I highly recommend it as it has a lot to offer and is a fairly moderate hike. On the way to the top of Mt.Beacon you get to see some great views of the river and town from different vantage points. One of the first ones you will reach is the old inclined railway ruins. Though you don't get a great vantage point to see the town the ruins themselves are great fun to checkout. Not to far away from here you actually come a wide look out point which gives you far views of the valley, town and river. If you are lucky enough you can even spot a few birds and eagles soaring across the distance. When you reach the top you will also come to the Beacon fire tower. This great structure if your reward for hiking so far and has great 360 views of the surrounding forest, hills and valley. It can get a little packed though at the top so be aware of this if your worried about covid. Once you complete the fire tower you get a few choices from there. You can continue the path to the next town, go back down where you came (the quickest way) or take the long way back on a separate path. In fact the hiking area here is quite flexible and can be adjusted for what you are feeling for. I highly recommend checking out this trail for the fire tower at least once for any hiking fan. read more

We recently drove through Hudson River Valley and spoke yet again about our hike up Mt Beacon. I couldn't believe I didn't have a review for it. In fact, I swore I did! A couple of years back hubs and I stopped in Beacon/Newburgh on our way to a wedding up north and decided to do a hike here. The hike wasn't the easiest. While I only clocked it around 6 miles round trip and it was a clear path, it was on a very steep incline the entire way, and completely rocky. (My tush hurt so bad/good in my heels at the wedding!) The views you have as your reward at the top are worth the trek. You can see all the way out to NYC on a clear day, but all the time you get nice views of the Hudson River, the Beacon-Newburgh Bridge and the towns below. There's also a fire tower you can climb for an even better view that's a little farther up! Lots of creepy ruins up there too! While we tackled this mount one afternoon in late summer, I can imagine it's especially beautiful in fall and near sunset! We didn't park in the lot rather on a residential street. We asked the neighbors the best place to park for access and they led us here. I'm sorry I don't remember the name but it was a small, one lane street. Don't be afraid to ask the locals. We returned to our car and heard our wedding song not once, but twice on the radio. That and what we had just accomplished together made this afternoon a perfect one for us. We capped the day off with pumpkin brews at Town Crier in the quaint little town down below. Great day! We would absolutely do it again and recommend it! read more

Mt. Beacon Park - The terrain the entire way. Very steep and filled with small rocks. (Hubs killin' it up there!) sorry for the crappy photo. - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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Yet another beautiful hike in the Hudson highlands. Seriously, how amazing is this area. A great hike is waiting for you every five minutes! Coming back to this particular hike, it's 4.2ish mile out and back with spectacular 360 degree views from the top and a bonus fire tower that you can climb for even more awesome views. We went there on a Saturday. The parking is big but given that it was a nice sunny fall day, we had to wait around 10 mins to get a spot. The climb is tough not because it's difficult to climb but because it's a constant uphill walk with no respite for around 40 mins. Once you cross the first view point (the casino ruins), the hike to the fire tower is not that difficult. And the payoff is huge! Would highly recommend carrying on to the fire tower if you've made the effort to leave your couch to visit this mountain. Once you reach the fire tower, the views would make you forget the tiredness of the hike. You'll have views of rolling hills as far as the eye can see in all directions and on a clear day, you can see as far as New York City. Climbing the fire tower improves the views even further but it is a nerve wracking climb. Wouldn't recommend it for people scared of heights. All in all, I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny fall day. Also, a bonus for us was to have a chance to check out the main street in Beacon, NY. Great vibe, delicious food! Perfect for a post hike food binge. read more

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Short, sharp and a bitch. I came prepared for a Sunday stroll....don't. It's the hill that just keeps on climbing....it gets 3 stars because it's a great view at the top...worth the 30mins of exertion...not so sure. So, in essence, don't wear sneakers, do bring water, and you're good to go. read more

Mt. Beacon Park - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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It's not a very hard hiking trail. You do need to hike all the way up, so be prepared at the beginning. The trail got flat after reaching the first view point. The view is amazing! Be sure to get to the top and climb up the tower! Enjoy the day hike! read more

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5+/5 for the amazing 360 degrees panoramic view on the top of mountain beacon. I can even see the sky line of New York City on a good day! (70miles * pi ^2 of New York State ?! Could be even larger than what I can see on the top of one world observatory!) 3.5/5 for the trail: its a short and easy trail (5-6miles approx) with straight-forward uphill path for most of it. Unlike other trails covered in grass and stones, this one is all sand/dirt. So make sure you wear shoes that you don't mind to get dirty =) Worth a visit for this incredible view! read more

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At this point in my life I would've considered myself an intermediate hiker. I've been hiking for the past two years in and around NC, MA, NYC, NJ, and parts of Westchester/Duchess County. However, after completing this hike in in this park my status failed back to beginner. LOL We started at the beginning of these long and high stairs and the incline continued for another 30 minutes. I am having flashbacks as I am writing this review because I thought I was going to die. The hike was the most challenging that I've ever completed. We passed a few ruins including railroad tracks, an old casino and an old automobile. I was shocked how busy the park was with all types of hikers, young and old and of course the dogs. Once we reached the top of the mountain the views were amazing. We stopped to take it all in and just the enjoy the beautiful scenery. I did venture up the last bit of steps on the fire tower which were very tiny and steep. Just like other reviewers mentioned, this isn't an easy hike for newbies or people not in some form of physical fitness. I now have a baseline to measure my hiking difficulties until I can master the incline. The views at the end were worth all of the physical work. read more

I'm no hiker except for stumbling on a couple of trails by my alma mater but going to Mt Beacon was a lot of fun. It didn't seem a particularly difficult climb and we were stopping every so often to take pictures, but when we got to the top any malicious feelings we were harboring over the journey were relinquished. These Hudson Valley views were beautiful and made me pine for the brief period of time I lived in the area and woke up to such splendor. At the top there is also a ruin, maybe it once was a ski lift but it was some kind of housing for these giant big rusty gears. It was neat to explore. You can also drive up to the top but that doesn't seem as much fun because we had so much fun with the climb. The climb down wasn't the best. We got a bit lost and didn't end up by the parking lot where we started. We had to wade through tall grass on a private property. We immediately stopped to check for ticks. The trail does have markers but we either missed them or they weren't in a spot easily seeable when your eyes are turned down to watch your footing. Either way we had a lovely day and it was a good trail, a bit challenging for a non-hiker, but just the right amount where you're not bored and still get a good work-out. read more

Great spot for a day hike. I have lived in NYC for a while now, but I will always be a country boy at heart. Sometimes, it is nice to get away from the city grind and enjoy nature. We could all use a dose of fresh air, grass, trees, and wild animals (other than subway rats) every now and then. Lucky for us - Mt. Beacon is accessible via public transportation. You can take the Metro North to Beacon Station, which takes approximately 90 minutes from Grand Central and 75 minutes from Harlem - 125th Street. The entrance to the Breakneck Ridge Trail is roughly a 1.5 mile walk or 4 minute cab ride from Beacon Station. I was off from work last Friday (hooray for flex schedules) so I came here with a couple of co-workers. It turned out to be a great hike! We stayed on the Breakneck Ridge Trail (AKA Casino Trail), which starts with some stairs and turns into a steep enough incline to get your heart pumping. You will run into the Ruins of the Incline Railway Powerhouse and Beacon Overlook about 1 mile up the mountain, which provides some awesome views of the Hudson Valley. Continue on the trail for another mile and you will reach the Mount Beacon Fire Tower. It was used by the State of New York to spot fires for over five decades. Today, you can climb to the top of the fully restored tower, which provides a range of view of over 75 miles on a clear day. Yes, this range is far enough so you can see NYC (or Albany) if you time it right. Our total hiking time from trail entrance to the fire tower and back was under 3 hours, and this was a considerably leisure pace for taking breaks and enjoying the views. I highly recommend making some time to come here if you get the chance! read more

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Do not let the park rangers down at Breakneck Ridge talk you into thinking this is some sort of kiddie hike - this is no easy hike! After being turned away there (which, believe me, is a good thing in hindsight) I was told that Mount Beacon would be a relatively easy hike. Oh my, how wrong that was. The idea of finding casino ruins at the top of the mountain is what enticed me to check this place out, and if you are seeking it out keep your eyes peel, blink and you might miss it's entrance. It's on the outskirts of the town of Beacon, on a strange portion of 9D, and it's very hard not to miss your turn. Once there they do have some informative information posted, as well as an encouraging large flight of stairs up a portion of the mountain. All this serves to make it look much easier than it really is. Once on the actual hike the path twists and turns, and is far steeper than anything would lead you to believe. Once the path becomes a bit balder and you realize you're near the peak it only gets harder and harder to traverse, and unfortunately I had to abandon my mission and turn around on that part of the trail. Getting down is no picnic either, and your pace back down the mountain will likely be a crawl. Don't let my tale of woe completely stop you from checking this place out; it is a beautiful landscape and and if you can manage the hike it is probably worth it. However, my biggest issue is that in everything I've found on this park, very few call it as difficult as it is. Just be forewarned. read more

Fabulous hike with amazing views and ruins at the top. It can get crowded here on weekends and parking tends to fill up. Would recommend coming during the week for more of a serene setting. You can even take a trail to the reservoir which is another gorgeous spot! Fire tower is dope too. Not for beginner or lazy hikers as there are a lot of stairs and its uphill as you can see from the old tram line cut thru the mountain read more

I love this hike - quite strenuous getting to the top, but views that invite you to sit down, relax, and catch your breath. Only reason I haven't given 5 stars is that it's almost always crowded. I like when we have the trails to ourselves but this is so rewarding it makes sense that so many people want to come. In spring and summer months, beware of the tiny little gnats or midges that will swarm you. I recommend a bottle of water as well. Enjoy! read more

Mt. Beacon Park - Base of the stairs leading to the trails - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

The climb to the fire tower is a little intense lol . I would get some hiking boots, so you can protect those ankles, sneakers are a little risky. This hike starts with about 8 flights of stairs before you hit the mountain, yikes . If you ate like crap the night before, you can burn all those calories going up those steep hills lol. I wouldn't recommend this hike if you never worked about before. It's a great workout, and a beautiful view up top read more

Mt. Beacon Park - It's a long way up, with lots of hills and rocks. Great cardio that will get your heart rate up - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

I guess I have to give it five stars because there's no real way of rating it. It's beautiful and clean but very steep with no plateaus ( from the little I saw) Only my second time ever hiking and this was pretty extreme for me. Then again I'm no where near fit. Bring a partner, your bug spray, proper hiking boots and maybe a pole ( or find a nice stick ASAP). If your new to hiking pay attention to the paths and markers. Water and towel/bandanna/hat are a definite need for the journey. Good luck and have fun. PS the tracker was only set going in and not going out plus we got lost and went the wrong direction for 15 minutes to just 2x that if you'd like accuracy. read more

Mt. Beacon Park - Apple Watch workout set to hiking. - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

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Tough hike to the top, even though it's just a mile it's very steep. Great workout. Stop by Hudson Valley Brewery after for a Sour IPA read more

Mt. Beacon Park - View from the top - Parks Near Me - Beacon, New York

Not as challenging of a hike as Breakneck Ridge but what in the area really is. The Trail to Casino Ruins is still a great workout with a pretty decent incline. The view from the ruins is nothing short of fantastic but if you still have enough juice in you to make the trip further continue on to the firepower and get the reward of a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding area. You don't even need to climb up the firepower (for those with a fear of heights) to get a breathtaking view. I did go up the tower the day I was there and it did seem sketchy climbing up but it was pretty windy up there which caused most of the sketchiness. Have to say the view up there is a much better one than Breakneck Ridge! Worth the climb! read more

We heard about this from a friend who wasn't sure how to get there. We hiked up the old road to the reservoir and then stumbled around to the radio towers where we met someone in a Jeep four wheeling over the rocky path. He sent us on the red trail and we managed to find our way to the tower. Great views in every direction except one. Due west was a thunderstorm heading across the River toward us. Time to GO ! Standing on a steel Fire tower during a Thunderstorm is not a good idea. As we headed back down we came across a line of 4wheelers parked in the woods waiting for some of their crew to catch up. They told us about a short cut along the reservoir. We took it and did'nt get completely soaked. The trip is steep. Downhill my toes were pushing against the front of my shoes. Next time we will try it from the Park. read more

The hike up Mt. Beacon to the casino ruins is the best reward for the least amount of work hike. It is a 2.4 mile roundtrip from the parking lot to the overlook (1,210 foot elevation). The view is spectacular. The overlook provides a large clearing and unobstructed view of the Hudson River and Valley. It is a great payoff for only a half hour hike up. I have completed the roundtrip hike in an hour many times. I recommend this hike for beginners who want to start hiking. It is a good trail to conquer before attempting more challenging hikes. There are a couple points in the trail that are a little steep. There are also some rocks but they are not too difficult of an obstacle unless it is winter and ice is on them to make it a bit slippery. In addition, there are plenty of trees along the path to provide shade until you reach the overlook. The parking lot is located at the intersection of Route 9D and Howland Avenue in Beacon. When you start to walk on the trailhead, you will quickly see a set of stairs that get you to the trail and switchbacks that take you up to the overlook. From the Beacon Metro North train station, it is a little under 2 mile walk through town on Beekman Street and Wolcott Avenue/ 9D to the trailhead. The overlook is connected to other trails in the Hudson Highlands network of trails. When you get to the top of the overlook, you can take trails that continue at the left. I have wandered a little bit on them and found the Beacon Reservoir. It is another mile to get to the Fire Tower, South Beacon Mountain, from the overlook. From there, you can connect to the wider network of trails (e.g. Fishkill Ridge, Breakneck Ridge, etc.). However, the issue would be getting to your car afterwards because you will have to retrace your entire path backwards. The one loop you can do that returns to the parking lot is to Fishkill Ridge (reverse route described below). I highly recommend adding an extra two miles round trip to go to the Fire Tower. When you are hiking to the Fire Tower from the overlook, there will be a slightly steep, rocky hill on your right as you near South Beacon Mountain that you can hike up to get to the tower. You will probably see other hikers going up and down it. If you miss that turn, do not fret, there will be markers for the white trail where you can also take a right to reach the top. Both paths get you to the same place. The Fire Tower is the highest point in the Hudson Highlands State Park with 360 views of the entire park, which encompasses the Hudson River and the east side of the park and beyond. Going up the tower can be a little scary especially if you are afraid of heights. I was much more worried going down than up. When I went down, I felt like I could lose my balance and the short guard rails would only hit my knees before I plunged off the tower. Naturally, most of the concern was totally just in my mind. Of course, I walked down very slowly. I definitely would not try to go up to the top of the tower if it was windy. If the sight of the tower frightens you, the views from the base of the tower are great anyway. I would allocate 2 1/2 hours to complete the hike and enjoy the views. New York State Parks, Recreations has South Beacon Mountain as one of its recommended hikes. It suggests entering through the Notch trailhead (blue) that is 4 miles north of the Cold Spring train station. From there, it instructs hikers to connect and turn left on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail (yellow) then another left once you reach the Breakneck Ridge Trail (white) which connects from the right of the yellow trail. From the start of the Notch trail, this route is 6 miles round trip. If you do not drive to the trailhead, the hike would be much longer. As such, I recommend my route since you also get to enjoy the views of the Casino ruins. Even if you walk to the beginning from the Beacon train station, at least it is through a town and also shorter than trying to walk to the beginning of the Notch trail from a station. If you would like my recommendations/ suggestions for the other major hikes in Hudson Highlands State Park, please feel free to contact me via Yelp or obtain the electronic copy that can be obtained via the link in my profile. read more

I really like this hike. As others have said, I would recommend making it to the fire tower. The view is amazing from there. It's super green in the summer and then in the fall the leaves pop. Even making it to the old brick structures is good because the view from there is lovely. There are also wild blueberries growing on the trail in the summer! The path is easy to follow and it doesn't seem to be too crowded the times I've been. Nice and relaxing hike! It can get a bit steep and tiresome at times but it's worth it read more

Great park with a good atmosphere. My daughter loves going as long as it isn't too hot or cold out.

This is literally my back yard. Love it, great hike, a tad strenuous in the beginning, beautiful views of hudson river and connection to other trails like breakneck. My advice is go really early am or try on a weekday. Because this place much like breakneck ridge is packed with tourists on the weekend. read more

The hike up is not easy. You really have to be in somewhat decent shape. Luckily, there are a bunch of big rocks on which to rest. Some sites say the hike to the main plateau takes 30-35 minutes. I'd put it closer to an hour 15 if you're out of shape and need those frequent rests. The view is beautiful. The best time for this hike would be the fall, after the leaves have fallen so that you can enjoy the view all the way up and down. An early spring hike would also be good. Shoot for cool weather. Don't try this after a rainfall due the very slippery conditions, or in very humid, hot weather. You can work out at the gym if you want to punish yourself. We agree with another reviewer in that the trip down is not marked, and we too, ended up un an unmarked path that was extra steep and left us in a thicket of brush behind private property. We saw a few deer on the way down. This path bypassed the stairs and was somewhat dangerous. Two hikers offered us their walking sticks as we climbed up and those two sticks were so very important during our ascent but maybe more so during our descent. If we were to try this hike again, we'd bring the walking sticks or better yet, ski poles, which we saw being used by a few hikers. Bring plenty of water. Also, download a free altimeter onto your I-Phone. You start the trail at around 200 feet above sea level and the plateau is at around 1,300 feet above sea level. Connectivity gets spotty near the top for some reason, but luckily it starts at around 1,200 feet so you'll be close to the top when you notice it. read more