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From the George Washington Bridge to the Mohawk River... and beyond.
THE VISION
Beginning in the 1960's the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference took that vision a step further by creating a blazed hiking trail along Schaefer's route. Today the Long Path is a 326-mile hiking trail extending from the George Washington Bridge, north to John Boyd Thatcher Park near Albany. Future plans are to extend the trail to the Mohawk River and eventually into the Adirondacks.
From the sound of commuter traffic leaving Manhattan to the song of the white throated sparrow, the Long Path travels the length of New York. It links together suburban backyards with wilderness areas, pre-Revolutionary iron mines and fast food restaurants. From the Piermont Marsh at sea level to the summit of Slide Mountain over 4,100 feet higher, the Long Path presents challenging climbs interspersed with gentle walks. Although every effort is made to keep the trail off roads, the Long Path frequently travels through small towns, giving the hiker a taste of life in New York.
The Long Path was the vision of Vincent J. Schaefer of Schenectady, who proposed that New York establish its own "Long Path" similar to the Long Trail in Vermont. Unlike the Long Trail, he saw the Long Path as an unmarked route meandering from the George Washington Bridge to Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, connecting together a series of landmarks. The name of the trail came from Walt Whitman's poem Song of the Open Road: "There lies before me a long brown path, leading wherever I choose".
The Long Path begins in Fort Lee, on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge. For the first twelve miles to the New York State line, it follows along the Palisades through lands of the Palisades Interstate Park. There are many spectacular views of the Hudson River and New York City along the way.After crossing into New York, the Long Path turns away from the Hudson River, but continues to follow the Palisades Escarpment to its end in Mt. Ivy. Much of the route is through State Parks but the trail also serves as a link to smaller county and town parks. There is some road walking through the towns of Piermont and Nyack. There are extensive views of the lower Hudson River valley along the way, with the most dramatic views on Hook Mountain and High Tor.
Leaving the Palisades, the Long Path enters Harriman State Park, passing through the park in a northwesterly direction. The park is criss-crossed with an abundance of trails, and there are many opportunities for circular hikes.
North of Harriman, the trail descends into Orange County. The Long Path follows off-road routes through Orange County in only two sections, Schunemunk Mountain and the abandoned New York, Ontario and Western Railroad right-of-way.
Schunemunk is the dramatic long ridge that is the westernmost mountain near the Hudson in this vicinity. It is made up of conglomerate rock and has spectacular views both east to the Hudson River and north to the Shawangunks and the Catskills.
North of Schunemunk, the trail follows a six-mile section of the abandoned New York, Ontario and Western Railroad right-of-way. The right-of-way has reverted to private landowners, and there is little evidence of the railroad anymore.
Beyond Orange County, the Long Path climbs the escarpment of the Shawangunk Mountains. Characterized by beautiful white cliffs and spectacular waterfalls, the Shawangunks are one of the gems of the eastern United States. The Long Path passes Mud Pond and Lake Awosting, mountaintop lakes that are rimmed with white cliffs. The trail climbs up and over many of the cliffs and passes two waterfalls, Verkeerder Kill and Rainbow Falls.
Beyond the Shawangunks, the Long Path crosses the Rondout Valley as it enters the Catskill Park. The Long Path continues through the Catskill Park for 95 miles and climbs nine of the major peaks including Slide Mountain, the highest in the Catskills. Several lean-tos are located along the trail. There are a few roadwalking sections, but these are generally through undeveloped areas.
Leaving the Catskill Park, the trail passes over a series of 2,900 foot peaks on private property, then follows Huntersfield Ridge to Gilboa, passing through State Reforestation Areas.
North of Gilboa, the trail follows the western ridge of the beautiful Schoharie Valley. The trail passes through Mine Kill Falls State Park and the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center of the New York State Power Authority, then heads west then north through another series of reforestation areas.
East of Patria, the Long Path descends to the Schoharie Valley crossing Vroomansland then ascends Vroman's Nose, the promontory that rises 600 feet above the Schoharie Valley, giving one a spectacular view. From Vroman's Nose, the Long Path crosses the Schoharie Valley through the Village of Middleburgh, then ascends the cliffs, where there are views back to Vroman's Nose.
Past the cliffs, the trail leaves the Schoharie Valley as it turns east, crossing State Forests to reach Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area in Albany County. In Partridge Run, the Long Path follows mostly cross-country ski trails, past lakes and streams with occasional views back to the Catskills.
East of Partridge Run, the Long Path crosses private property then ascends Cole Hill State Forest as it continues east across farmland to the Helderberg Escarpment. The soft limestone of the Helderbergs has caused many caves, sinkholes and underground streams to be formed. The Long Path turns north and follows the escarpment to John Boyd Thatcher State Park where there are many dramatic views of the Hudson Valley and the Taconics. Here, the Long Path uses the historic Indian Ladder Trail which once led to the trading post at Albany.
Thatcher Park is the current northern terminus of the Long Path. Work is continuing to extend the trail north to the Mohawk River and eventually to the Adirondacks.
SHAWANGUNK RIDGE TRAILIn 1989 the Trail Conference explored an alternative route for the Long Path from Harriman State Park to the Shawangunks using the Appalachian Trail and the Shawangunk Ridge. The result is the 36 mile Shawangunk Ridge Trail, extending from High Point New Jersey to Minnewaska State Park.
This trail is part of an alternative route on the Long Path for the hiker who wishes to avoid the lowlands of Orange County. Upon reaching the intersection with the Appalachian Trail in Harriman Park, the hiker follows the AT south to High Point State Park in New Jersey.
The Shawangunk Ridge Trail heads north from the Appalachian Trail, passing through High Point State Park and then generally follows the ridge north, occasionally using abandoned roads and rail beds. Beyond the Village of Otisville, the trail descends to the Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area. The Basha Kill is an extensive wetland offering many opportunities for bird watching and other wildlife viewing. North of the Basha Kill, the Shawangunk Ridge Trail passes through the Village of Wurtsboro and then ascends the Wurtsboro Ridge. The next 10 miles along the ridgetop are among the most spectacular in New York State with the open views of the Catskills looming in the distance. North of Route 52, the trail ascends to the hamlet of Cragsmoor and then passes through the Village of Ellenville Watershed to reach the main part of the Long Path near Verkeerder Kill Falls.
HIKING THE LONG PATHFor most of its length the Long Path is marked with 2" x 4" turquoise paint blazes. Turns are marked by two blazes, with the top blaze offset in the direction of the turn. In the Catskill Forest Preserve, the trail is marked with round, plastic discs of varying colors. Consult the Long Path guide for directions.
Sections of the Long Path are on private land with the generous permission of the landowners. Please ensure continuance of the trail by respecting owner rights: no fires, no camping, no littering...foot travel only, and with due consideration. Most private land sections are CLOSED to all hikers during big game hunting season.
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference publishes a Long Path Guidebook (with maps). The latest edition was published in 1996.
Attention Long Path hikers:
As of March 1997, the Long Path has five gaps. The long-standing gap near Ellenville in the area of Sam's Point will finally be closed in May 1997. However, there are four other gaps you should know about (sections refer to the 1996 Guide to the Long Path) especially if your are a Long Path end-to-end aspirant.
- Section 4, page 24, mile 1.00
Access to High Tor from South Mountain Road is currently blocked by the Tilcon Company. We are working with them on alternatives. - Section 9A.
Negotiations with the landowner for the use of the abandoned railbed have not been completed, necessitating a roadwalk alternative. Pick up the LP where it crosses Woodcock Mountain Road (Section 8, p. 54). Turn left for 2.6 miles to Route 208. Left again for 0.1 mile and then right onto Hudson Road for 0.4 miles to Route 94. Left for 1.9 miles and right onto Farmingdale Road for 0.7 miles to intersect the original LP route. Roadwalk is 5.7 miles. - Section 24, page 156, mile 4.00
A local landowner has closed the trail from mile 4.00 to mile 5.55. Negotiations are underway to secure an alternate trail routing. - Section 26, page 168, mile 6.55
Negotiations continue with landowners to open the trail between Huntersmark and Macumber Road and Manorkill Falls in West Conesville. - Shawangunk Ridge Trail, Section G-3, page 238
The land has recently been sold between Route 211 and the Bashakill and the new owner has closed the trail to us. Please hike Otisville Road between Route 211 and the Bashakill. For the most up-to-date information, see below.
For administrative reasons the Long Path has three committees:
Long Path North Committee - the Long Path north of the Catskills
See also Howie Dash's Home Page.
Howie is Chair of the Long Path North Committee of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. It also has a lot of information about the Catskill 3500 Club.
Long Path South Committee - the Long Path south of the Catskills
Gary Haugland is Chair of the Long Path South Committee
with the Catskills being administered by the Catskill Committee
Pete Senterman is Chair of the Catskill Committee.
Information courtesy of The NY-NJ Trail Association