Long Path

The Long Path is a 559-km point-to-point trail in the northeastern United States, stretching from Manhattan's 175th Street subway station through the New Jersey Palisades and New York's Catskill High Peaks, topping out at Slide Mountain (1,274 m). Rated moderate to strenuous, it is one of the most geographically diverse long-distance routes in the Northeast, combining urban greenways with true mountain wilderness over 25–35 hiking days.

About the Long Path

Few long trails in North America begin at a subway station. The Long Path starts at 175th Street in Upper Manhattan, crosses the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, and traces the dramatic Palisades cliffs north along the Hudson River before plunging into the vast forests of New York State. Managed by the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference, the route covers 559 km through some of the most varied terrain in the northeastern US — from sea-level salt marshes to boreal-forested summits above 1,200 m.

The trail's origins date to 1933, when journalist Raymond H. Torrey first publicized the concept, based on a vision by naturalist Vincent Joseph Schaefer, who named the route after Walt Whitman's poem Song of the Open Road. Schaefer imagined an unmarked, orienteering-style adventure without blazes or signposts. After World War II, suburban expansion made that vision impractical, and in the 1960s Robert Jessen and Michael Warren established the modern marked route. Today the trail is identified by distinctive 2-by-4-inch aqua paint blazes — one of the most recognizable trail markers in the Northeast.

In 2015, the southern terminus was relocated to the 175th Street subway station, making the Long Path one of the few long-distance routes in the US that thru-hikers can reach entirely by public transit from a major city. The current northern terminus sits at John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany, though the Trail Conference continues to extend the route northward toward Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks.

The Long Path is described by its managers as a work in progress, continually evolving. Some sections still require short road walks, particularly in Orange County, though major reroutes since 2012 have significantly reduced pavement miles. Within Catskill Park, approximately 150 km of trail are nearly entirely off-road. The first recorded thru-hike was completed by Mary Ann Nissley in 25 days in 1998; the fastest known time belongs to Kenneth Posner, who ran the route in 9 days in September 2013. In 2024, Shaun Gitlin completed the first documented winter thru-hike. Most recreational thru-hikers plan 25–35 days, averaging 16–22 km per day.

Route Overview & Stages

The Long Path runs north from Manhattan through five broad geographic sections. Elevation gain builds progressively as the route leaves the lowland Hudson corridor and climbs into the Catskills. Distances below are approximate and subject to change as reroutes continue.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• New Jersey Palisades — Basalt columns rising 90–170 m above the Hudson River, formed by a 200-million-year-old lava intrusion. The trail's dramatic opening miles deliver uninterrupted river views just minutes from Manhattan, with the Sparkill Creek crossing marking the route's lowest point at just 5 m above sea level.
• Harriman State Park — At roughly 470 km², Harriman is New York's second-largest state park and the Long Path's first major wilderness section. The trail briefly converges with the Appalachian Trail at Arden Valley Road — a popular meeting point for thru-hikers heading in opposite directions.
• Schunemunk Mountain — A narrow ridge of ancient pink conglomerate (puddingstone) rock at 520 m elevation, with sweeping views across the Hudson Valley. The unusual geology — unlike anything else on the route — gives the summit plateau an otherworldly quality that surprises most first-time visitors.
• Shawangunk Ridge Dwarf Pine Barrens — A globally rare ecosystem: pitch pine and scrub oak growing on exposed white quartz conglomerate, pruned to waist height by thin soils and wind. The ridge delivers 360° views across the Catskills and Hudson Valley and is one of the most photographed sections of the trail.
• Slide Mountain (1,274 m) — The highest peak in the Catskills and the Long Path's rooftop. The boreal summit forest of balsam fir and red spruce shelters a small memorial plaque to naturalist John Burroughs, who camped here repeatedly in the 1880s and helped galvanize protection of the Catskill Forest Preserve.
• Devil's Path Crossing — The Long Path passes through terrain shared with Devil's Path, widely regarded as the most demanding day-hiking route in the entire Northeast. Four exposed summits, sustained 600-m climbs on open rock, and steep rooted descents make this the Long Path's most physically challenging section.
• Kaaterskill Clove & Falls — A glacially carved gorge that inspired the Hudson River School of painters throughout the 19th century. Kaaterskill Falls, a short detour from the main route, drops 60 m in two tiers — the tallest waterfall in New York State.
• Vroman's Nose — A flat-topped basalt promontory rising above the Schoharie Valley, offering some of the broadest agricultural valley panoramas on the entire route. This landmark marks the transition into the Long Path North extension and is among the trail's most visited viewpoints.

Best Time to Hike the Long Path

May is the single best month to begin a Long Path thru-hike. As of 2026, the window opens slightly earlier than historical averages across the Northeast, with snow typically clearing from all Catskill summits by early May. Wildflowers blanket the valley sections, water sources are at their most reliable, and afternoon thunderstorms have not yet established their summer rhythm. Average daytime highs in May range from 17°C at the Manhattan start to 11°C near Slide Mountain's summit.

Spring (April–May): Streams run full and lean-to shelters are largely empty. Mud is a serious factor through late April on north-facing Catskill slopes. Black flies emerge above 900 m from mid-May onward — carry a head net.

Summer (June–August): Long daylight hours (up to 15 hours in June) allow big mileage days, but humidity in the lowland sections can push heat indices above 35°C in July. The Catskill summits remain cooler at 15–22°C. Thunderstorms are common between 2–4 pm; plan to be off exposed ridges before then.

Autumn (September–October): Fall foliage peaks across the Catskills between late September and mid-October — visually the most spectacular time to walk this route. Days average 10–18°C; nights drop near freezing at elevation by late October. Hunting season opens in parts of the route in mid-October; wear blaze orange above the Shawangunks.

Winter (November–March): Achievable by experienced mountaineers but demanding. Deep snowpack covers the Catskill High Peaks from December through March; snowshoes and microspikes are mandatory above 900 m. The first winter thru-hike was only completed in 2024, underscoring just how serious the conditions can be.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Long Path crosses one of the most densely settled regions in the US, giving thru-hikers a wide range of accommodation options — from free lean-to shelters in the Catskill backcountry to B&Bs and motels within walking distance of the trail.

Backcountry camping: Free and permitted throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve on New York State land, subject to DEC regulations: at least 60 m from water, roads, and the trail itself, and below 1,070 m unless above treeline. Designated lean-to shelters in the Catskills are free and first-come, first-served. Bear canisters are required in designated sections as of 2026.

Harriman State Park camping: Several campgrounds operate within the park; reservations are recommended in summer. Established sites cost €20–35 per night.

Trail towns: New Paltz (Shawangunks gateway) has budget hostels from €40/night and motels from €80/night. Woodstock, Ellenville, Suffern, and Windham all have options within a short drive or hitch from the route. Budget €80–150/night in peak summer and fall foliage season.

Getting There & Back

Southern terminus — 175th Street, Manhattan: Take the NYC Subway A-train directly to 175th Street station — the trailhead is at the exit. From JFK International Airport, the AirTrain to Jamaica then the A-train to 175th Street takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. No car required.

Northern terminus — John Boyd Thacher State Park, Albany area: The park sits 25 km southwest of Albany. Albany International Airport (ALB) is the nearest airport, approximately 30 minutes by car. A rideshare from Albany to the trailhead costs around $35–50 (€32–46). CDTA bus service connects downtown Albany to the Voorheesville area; confirm current schedules before arrival.

Return by train: Amtrak's Empire Service runs Albany–Rensselaer to New York Penn Station in approximately 2.5 hours from $29 (€27), making a clean one-way thru-hike entirely feasible by public transit from start to finish.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike the Long Path and there is no trail fee. The route crosses public land (state parks, Catskill Forest Preserve, DEC state forests) and private land managed through landowner agreements by the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference. Day-use parking fees of $8–10 (€7–9) apply at fee-charging state parks such as Harriman for car arrivals; hikers entering on foot pay nothing. Bear canisters are mandatory in designated Catskill Forest Preserve sections — check current New York State DEC regulations before departure, as canister zones have expanded in recent years.

Gear & Packing List

The Long Path's range — from sea-level valley walks to exposed Catskill ridges above 1,200 m — demands a versatile kit. For a 25–35-day thru-hike, choosing the right backpack is the most consequential gear decision. Ultralight hikers who want the best weather protection for the Catskills' notoriously wet climate should look at the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider — its Dyneema® Composite Fabric is effectively waterproof and weighs just 596 g. For a little more volume over a 30+ day trip, the HMG 3400 Windrider adds capacity without sacrificing weather resistance. Hikers who prefer a traditional framed pack with hip-belt load transfer for the Catskills' sustained 600-m climbs will find the Osprey Aether 65 a dependable, widely available choice.

Fuelling multi-day Catskill mileage is its own challenge. Summit-heavy stages regularly demand 1,200–1,500 m of cumulative daily elevation gain and calorie needs spike accordingly — read How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? before planning your food carries. Budget 3,500–4,500 kcal per day on the demanding Catskill sections. If you want a broader perspective on pack selection before committing, the Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 guide covers seven packs tested across a range of multi-day trip types.

• Pack (45–65 L): Prioritize waterproofing — the Catskills average over 130 cm of annual precipitation and prolonged wet spells are common.
• Rain gear: Hardshell jacket and pack cover are non-negotiable. Afternoon thunderstorms are common June–August and can appear with little warning.
• Microspikes / snowshoes: Required for spring departures before late April and any autumn hiking into November above 900 m on Catskill summits.
• Bear canister: Mandatory in designated Catskill Forest Preserve sections; strongly recommended everywhere north of the Shawangunks given the region's active black bear population.
• Water filter: Sources are plentiful throughout the route; treat all surface water. A squeeze-style filter adds under 100 g to your base weight.
• Head net: Black flies above 900 m from May through July are relentless. A head net weighs 30 g and is one of the most cost-effective comfort items on this trail.
• Navigation (offline maps): Download NYNJTC topo maps before departure. Aqua blazes are well-maintained in most sections but can be sparse in the Long Path North extension.
• Blister kit: Road-walk sections are hard on feet. Address hotspots early — a full 30-day walk on varied surfaces puts serious demands on even well-broken-in footwear.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Long Path appeals to hikers who value multi-week point-to-point adventures with genuine wilderness, public-transit access, and dramatic terrain variety. If you want to scale that up to a continental crossing, the Pacific Crest Trail covers 4,265 km from the Mexican border to Canada, while the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail at 4,988 km is the most remote and logistically demanding of the three major US long routes. For a completely different scale — single-day objectives with outsized drama — the Half Dome Trail in Yosemite and the Angels Landing–West Rim Trail in Zion deliver concentrated canyon and granite experiences unlike anything on the Long Path. Summit-seekers should also consider the Mount Whitney Trail, which tops out at 4,421 m — the highest point in the contiguous United States. For a very different style of point-to-point trekking, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania is a compact but spectacular alternative for those planning a European extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Long Path?

May is the optimal month to start a Long Path thru-hike. By early May, snow has typically cleared from all Catskill summits, water sources are at their most reliable, and temperatures are moderate across all terrain. Autumn (September–October) is the second-best window, offering spectacular foliage and cool, stable weather. Avoid peak July–August for the Catskill high peaks if you are heat-sensitive; the lower sections become humid and insect-heavy in midsummer.

How difficult is the Long Path?

The Long Path is rated moderate to strenuous overall. The Palisades and Hudson Valley sections are manageable for fit hikers, but the Central Catskills — especially the Devil's Path area and the Slide Mountain massif — involve sustained 600–900 m climbs on rocky, rooted terrain with limited switchbacks. Thru-hikers need solid cardiovascular fitness and experience navigating in poor weather. Shorter section hikes can be tailored to any ability level.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?

Most Long Path thru-hikers average 16–22 km per day, completing the 559 km route in 25–35 days. The first recorded thru-hike (Mary Ann Nissley, 1998) took exactly 25 days. On summit-heavy Catskill days, plan 14–18 km; on the flatter Palisades and valley sections, 22–28 km is achievable. Factor in zero days in trail towns for resupply and rest, particularly if you're carrying food for more than 4–5 days at a stretch.

What accommodation options are available on the Long Path?

Accommodation ranges from free lean-to shelters and dispersed camping throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve to hostels from €40/night and motels from €80/night in trail towns such as New Paltz, Suffern, and Woodstock. Backcountry camping on New York State land requires no permit and no fee, but campers must stay at least 60 m from water and roads and below 1,070 m unless above treeline. Bear canisters are required in designated Catskill Forest Preserve sections as of 2026.

Do you need a permit to hike the Long Path?

No permit is required and the trail is free to hike. If you drive to trailheads in fee-charging state parks such as Harriman, parking costs $8–10 per vehicle. Bear canisters are mandatory in designated Catskill Forest Preserve sections as of 2026. Always check current New York State DEC regulations before departure, as canister zones and camping rules evolve each season. The New York–New Jersey Trail Conference publishes the most up-to-date trail conditions and route closures on their website.