Best Hiking Trails in New York

Below is a list of the top and leading Hiking Trails in New York. To help you find the best Hiking Trails located near you in New York, our team at Kev’s Best put together our own list based on this rating points list. 

New York’s Best Hiking Trails:

The top rated Hiking Trails in New York are:

• High Rock Park
• Prospect Park
• Greenbelt Nature Center
• Inwood Hill Park
• Forest Park

High Rock Park

High Rock Park – Often referred to as one of the most tranquil places in New York City, High Rock Park is noted for its quiet ponds and deep woods. Hosting the Greenbelt Conservancy’s headquarters, the park has been recognized as a Natural Environmental Education Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.

High Rock Park contains five ponds and various wetlands, including Walker Pond and Loosestrife Swamp. There are also six walking trails, along which visitors can see stands of red maples, highbush blueberries, and patches of skunk cabbage. Wood ducks, great blue herons, and muskrats all make their homes here along with hawks, owls, migrating colorful warblers, woodpeckers, frogs and turtles. Visitors can also climb Mt. Moses, a 260-foot hill named for City builder and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The 360-degree panoramic view offered by the site is considered one of New York City’s most spectacular.

Products/Services:

Hiking Trails, Nature Center

LOCATION:

Address: 200 Nevada Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: (718) 351 3450
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/R088

REVIEWS:

“It is a very nice place to go any time of year. There are plenty of trails to hike, and even a shorter trail (Moses’ Mountain) for those who are inexperienced in hiking.” -Sasha Murokh

Prospect Park

Prospect Park – Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the mid-19th century, Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s flagship park, welcoming more than 10 million visits each year.

Prospect Park Alliance is the non-profit organization that sustains “Brooklyn’s Backyard,” working in partnership with the City of New York. The Alliance was founded in 1987 to help restore the Park after a long period of deterioration and decline. Today, the Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the Park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home. The Alliance cares for the woodlands and natural areas, restores the Park’s buildings and landscapes, creates innovative Park destinations, and provides free or low-cost volunteer, education and recreation programs.

Today, Prospect Park is an international model for the care of urban parks, and one of the premier green spaces in the United States.

Products/Services:

Barbecues, Picnic, Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Bicycling, Birdwatching, Boating, Dog Walking, Fishing, Football, Green Market, Horsebakc Riding, With Kids, Nature Programs, Running, Walking, Hiking, Skating, Soccer, Tennis, Tours, Volleyball, Water Play, Yoga

LOCATION:

Address: 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 965 8951
Website: www.prospectpark.org

REVIEWS:

“Love this hike for during the week. It is pretty safe to hike and clean. There are a couple of different trails for exploring. Be careful because sometimes there is a bike school that teaches on the trails. Other than that beautiful area. One of my faves.” -Doreen Clayton

Greenbelt Nature Center

Greenbelt Nature Center includes New York City’s largest remaining forest preserve, offering an oasis of peace, quiet, and solitude. It is also home to tidal and fresh water wetlands, oak and beech forests, open meadows, and rolling hills that offer visitors a glimpse into the natural and pastoral heritage of Staten Island. The Greenbelt is an extraordinary natural resource visited by over one million people annually.

Staten Island holds in its heart 2,800-acres of nature’s rugged beauty – the Greenbelt. Discover “Forever Wild sites” – mature forests, wetlands, meadows, wildlife and over 35-miles of marked hiking trails. Walk for a while to experience nature’s beauty while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Products/Services:

Golf, Archery, Baseball, Hiking, Tennis, Soccer, Birding, Enchanting Carousel

LOCATION:

Address: 700 Rockland Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: (718) 351 3450
Website: www.sigreenbelt.org

REVIEWS:

“I had a wonderful time on the trails, it was so refreshing to be outside breathing with the breeze on my skin after spending so much time indoors during the winter. There’s a few interesting turtles and other animals in the center, It’s fun go enjoy the walk.” -Caveaenon Rivertown

Inwood Hill Park

Inwood Hill Park is a living piece of old New York. Evidence of its prehistoric roots exists as dramatic caves, valleys, and ridges left as the result of shifting glaciers. Evidence of its uninhabited state afterward remains as its forest and salt marsh (the last natural one in Manhattan), and evidence of its use by Native Americans in the 17th century continues to be discovered. Much has occurred on the land that now composes Inwood Hill Park since the arrival of European colonists in the 17th and 18th centuries, but luckily, most of the park was largely untouched by the wars and development that took place.

The park continues to honor and cultivate its environment. A hiking trail and the Hudson River Bike Trail offer visitors chances to appreciate large stretches of the park’s natural beauty in an environmentally friendly manner. Also, the park is one of the best places to spot a bald eagle in the City, after the Urban Park Rangers launched a bald eagle release project in the park in 2002. The park also manages to present modern conveniences like athletic fields, playgrounds, dog runs, and a barbecue area, in harmony with its natural assets.

Products/Services:

Barbecuing Areas, Baseball Fields, Basketball Courts, Bathrooms, Dog-friendly Areas, Eateries, Fitness Equipment, Handball Courts, Hiking Trails, Kayak/Canoe Launch Sites, Marinas, Nature Centers, Playgrounds, Roller Hockey, Soccer Fields, Spray Showers, Tennis Courts

LOCATION:

Address: Payson Ave. &, Seaman Ave, New York, NY 10034
Phone: (212) 639 9675
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/inwood-hill-park

REVIEWS:

“Went on a foraging tour here with Wildman Steve Brill and it was INCREDIBLE! The best and most unique experience I have had in NYC so far. It is amazing to see the wilderness just north of the concrete jungle. This place is a refuge.” -Kirsten DeHaven

Forest Park

Forest Park – A mix of natural treasures and man-made prizes, Forest Park is 500+ acres of options for visitors.

With a “knob and kettle” terrain (a series of small hills) and 165 acres of trees, the park is an agrarian delight. Park goers interested in exploring Forest Park’s natural settings firsthand often travel to its eastern portion, which abounds in hiking trails and bridle paths. Horses can be hired from a private stable in order to cover more ground from a higher perspective.

Heading west, Forest Park transforms into an athlete’s playground. Softball, baseball, tennis, bocce, handball, and golf are a few of your options when you wander through this portion of the park. The 110-acre, par 67 golf course was modeled after Scottish links and maintains its reputation as one of the City’s most challenging golf courses.

Products/Services:

Barbecuing Areas, Basketball Courts, Bicycling and Greenways, Dog-friendly Areas, Football Fields, Handball Court, Horseback Riding Trails, Nature Centers, Running Tracks, Spray Showers, Volleyball Courts, Baseball Fields, Bathrooms, Bocce Courts, Fitness Equipment, Golf Courses, Hiking Trails, Model Aircraft Fields, Playgrounds, Skate Parks, Tennis Courts, Wi-Fi Hot Spots

LOCATION:

Address: Myrtle Ave, Woodhaven, NY 11421
Phone: (718) 235 0815
Website: www.nycgovparks.org

REVIEWS:

“That was passing through the area and never even knew about this place. What a wonderful treasure in the heart of the city. An excellent place to walk about and gather your thoughts or enjoy some special time with a loved one. Commune with nature and enjoy the scenery. Enjoy!” -Larry Reese