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Hike Bald Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain, New York

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

6.8 miles

Elevation Gain

1080 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Lily Frenette

Enjoy scenic views of the Hudson River Valley while exploring this Revolutionary War trail.

From your starting point at the Bear Mountain Inn, go left along the Cornell Mine Trail. (This part can be a bit confusing, but go past the carousel to a shaded picnic area; that is where the trail starts.) You will go under a bridge and follow the trail until it takes a sharp left and descends to Route 9W, then it will cut back into the forest. Make sure to follow the blue markings. A small waterfall can be seen along the right of the trail.

Then the 1080 foot ascent begins. This is a very tough section of the trail, with many loose rocks. A larger waterfall can be viewed between the trees, but cannot be easily reached (hold off on that until later). Next, the trail meets with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (red circles on white). Take a right and go just a bit further up to reach the summit of Bald Mountain. The views here are gorgeous. There is also a mine opening at the top.

Continue on the RD trail and descend the mountain, then switch over to the 1777 Trail (no paint markings, but instead a little circle that says 1777), heading North. This is the path the British troops took to attack Fort Clinton and will also take you through Doodletown, a hamlet on the Hudson founded in the mid-1700s and abandoned in the 1960s. This section of the trail is mostly paved or has loose gravel.

If you would like to extend the hike a little bit, take the side trails to either the forgotten Herbert or June cemeteries or the waterfall you saw earlier. (I definitely recommend the waterfall.) Slightly after the Herbert cemetery the 1777 trail splits, take the 1777 E trail, which connects to the beginning of the Cornell Mine Trail, to return back to the Inn.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Forest
Scenic
Waterfall

Reviews

Love this place I go every year with friends and family

I hike many trails in Bear Mountain S.P. and Harriman S.P. every year. This is one of my favorites. Their is free parking all along route 202 and a trail head along route 6. No reason to park at the Bear Mountain entrance. Very important to pick up the NY/NJ Trail Conference Map for these two parks.

Hiked it with my nephew and my best bud. It was a great hike! It can get busy on weekends so come early to find quick and easy parking. And I mean very early.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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