How to Hike Near NYC Without a Car (Transit-Friendly Trails)
Spring, in New York, feels like a small miracle every time. Like maybe we made it. Like maybe there’s more than concrete and corner stores and crowded trains. Like maybe—just past the edges of the city—there’s room to stretch back out again.
And maybe you’ve been meaning to get out there. Maybe you’ve saved the posts, sent the “we should go” texts, opened the AllTrails tabs. But coordinating people, schedules, cars—it starts to feel like more work than the work you’re trying to escape.
So let’s make this simple: you don’t need a car. And you don’t need a group.
There’s something a little radical about going alone. Just you, a train ride, and a trailhead waiting on the other side. No performance, no pace to match, no one to keep up with or fall behind. You get to move how you move. Stop when you want. Stay longer than planned. Leave early if that’s the day. It’s not about proving anything—it’s about remembering something.
Of course, if you are craving community, we got you. You can check out our guide to The Best Black Hiking & Outdoor Social Groups in NYC, or come outside with us through Hikeish—our group hikes built for anyone who’s been curious about getting out there but didn’t want to do it alone the first time.
But this one is for the days when it’s just you.
No car, no big plan, no barrier between you and the trail. Just a little intention—and a Metro-North or NJ Transit ticket.
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail (Westchester, NY)
Getting there: Metro-North to Tarrytown / Sleepy Hollow / Dobbs Ferry
What we’d bring/wear: Salomon X Ultra 5 (Low/Mid) Hiking Shoes or HOKA Speedgoat 7 (Trail Runners)
Trail to try: Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway
Going hiking by yourself can feel like a big endeavor, so it helps to start close to home. The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail is under an hour from the city, easy to access, and even easier to settle into.
This is your “just get out the door” trail. No big plan, no intense prep—just pick a town, step onto the path, and start walking.
You’ll pass through quiet neighborhoods, pockets of forest, the occasional view of the Hudson if you detour slightly. No real elevation to speak of, no technical terrain—just packed dirt, some gravel, and a steady rhythm under your feet.
It’s flat, shaded, and stretches for miles, so you can decide in real time what kind of day you want. Turn around whenever. Keep going if it feels good. Grab that photo-op at the aqueduct to let your friends know you made it out—and then keep walking, just for you.
South Mountain Reservation (West Orange, NJ)
Getting there: NJ Transit to Millburn + ~20 min walk
What we’d bring/wear: Osprey Daylite, 32 oz. Nalgene
Trail to try: Lenape & Sunset Trail Loop
Once you’ve shaken off that first layer of hesitation, you might want something that feels a little more like being in the woods.
South Mountain gives you that without
asking too much in return. You’ll start on wider paths, then ease into dirt trails that wind a bit more—nothing disorienting, just enough to keep you paying attention. Hemlock Falls is a highlight, especially after rain, and there are boardwalk sections and small offshoots if you feel like wandering.
There’s some gentle elevation here—nothing too steep, but enough to get your legs involved. Roots, rocks, uneven ground in parts. The kind of terrain that reminds you you’re not on pavement anymore.
It’s close, but it doesn’t feel like it. And sometimes that’s all you need.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation (Mahwah, NJ)
Getting there: NJ Transit to Mahwah + short Uber (or ~30 min walk)
What we’d bring/wear: Ciele Go Cap, Utu Skincare
Trail to try: Havemeyer Hollow and Monrae Ridge Loop
By now, you’re not just looking to get outside—you’re starting to trust yourself out there.
Ramapo meets you in that space. There’s no single way to do this trail, which is part of the appeal. You can loop around Scarlet Oak Pond, follow the water, or take one of the side trails that pull you deeper into the reservation.
Expect a mix—gravel roads at the start, then narrower dirt paths, some steeper inclines and a few rocky sections. Ramapo is a good intro to rock scrambles. Nothing too technical, but enough variation to keep it interesting.
And don’t forget to enjoy the beauty of the valley—streams, waterfalls, the lake—it gives the whole hike a kind of steadiness. You can pause, reroute, extend your day without overthinking it.
Hook Mountain (Nyack, NY)
Getting there: Bus from Port Authority → Nyack + short walk
What we’d bring/wear: Nocs Provisions Waterproof Binoculars
Trail to try: Hook Mountain and Nyack Beach Trail
At a certain point, you stop wanting a stroll. You want a climb.
Hook Mountain delivers, but in a way that feels manageable. The incline is steady from
the start—nothing extreme, but you’ll feel it. The trail is mostly dirt with rocky sections as you gain elevation, and there are a few switchbacks that let you catch your breath without breaking your rhythm.
And then it opens up.
Part of the Palisades Parks Conservancy, you’re rewarded with wide, unobstructed views of the Hudson. Cliffs, sky, water stretching out in both directions. The kind of view that feels earned, but not gatekept. It’s also an amazing bird watching spot!
It’s quieter than some of the more well-known Hudson Valley hikes, which means you can actually sit with it for a minute. No rush, no line for the overlook. Just you, and the fact that you got yourself there.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve (Peekskill, NY)
Getting there: Metro-North to Peekskill + short Uber
What we’d bring/wear: Black Diamond Hiking Poles
Trail to try: Anthony’s Nose via Camp Smith Trail
If Hook Mountain builds your confidence, this is where you test it a little.
The Camp Smith approach comes in quick. No long warm-up, no easing into it—you’re climbing pretty early on. It’s rocky in sections, a bit steeper than anything before this on
the list, and you’ll likely need to watch your footing as you go.
But it’s short. And that matters.
Because not long after you start, you’re up. The view opens straight onto the Hudson, with the Bear Mountain Bridge cutting across. It’s a solid payoff for a relatively quick climb.
And like the others, it’s yours. No rush, and you’re avoiding a lot of the crowds you’ll find on nearby trails. You can take a minute, catch your breath, and head back down when you’re ready.
And by now, that doesn’t feel intimidating.
It feels right.
These trails are a starting point. Close enough to feel doable, varied enough to grow into. You can keep it easy. You can push it a little. You can change your mind halfway through.
And if you need anything before you go—shoes that can handle the terrain, a bag to carry your gear, or just a place to ask questions before you head out, we’re here. Right in Brooklyn.