Popolopen Torne
Highland Falls, New York
Details
Distance
1.18 miles
Elevation Gain
531 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Shaun O'Neill
This is a relatively short hike to a beautiful, 360 panoramic view. At the top you will find a moving military memorial.
Popolopen Torne is a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, a surprisingly unknown trail with a beautiful payoff and a far deeper meaning. A short hike to the top puts you at the foot of a memorial to those who have served their country, a pile of painted rocks carried up by those who want to pay their respects.
The trailhead sits right on Mine Rd, with a little section for parking and an information board right where the blue trail starts its way up. The trail makes for a loop, and you'll be on blue the entire time. If you catch the section that heads left so you can do the loop in a clockwise manner, the rock scrambles tend to be a little easier going up. But the markers can be a little tricky, so if you miss it fear not! If you take the left, you'll hit a somewhat steep incline with a little scrambling and be to the top with the benches and memorial quite quickly. If not, just continue around the mountain and ascent the northern side.
The top is mostly bald, with a handful of evergreens to provide a little shade on a summer day. The 360 degree views will allow you to look down onto the Hudson and the Bear Mountain bridge, across to Bear Mountain itself, and across the West Point valley property lovingly known as the "Hell Hole."
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Reviews
This is a burst of a hike! It’s quick, challenging and satisfying. One of the best locations for a sunrise hike! You won’t be disappointed!
5.0
Beautiful, quick hike! I was up and back in an hour, with a solid 20 minutes to take in the view at the top. Would definitely recommend using this article's location. Park there, on Mine Rd (there's a pull off with "hiker parking" and a blue blaze). Then, I took the old mine road down aways (dirt road with "no motor vehicles" sign at bottom of parking area), but wound up losing ground and elevation for no reason. Would recommend parking here and walking up Mine Rd up PAST the wooden info/trailhead bulletin, about 400 ft to a set of blue blazes on the right side of the road. This would subtract 10 min of downhill from your trip. Then you start to scramble! Little technical in spots, but really quick, and the views are definitely worth it!!! come down the other way, it's easier on the knees. Cool fixed ropes to aid the descent.
4.0
This is a dope hike that you can do in half an hour round trip if need be. The rock scrambles are a bit tricky to navigate but the 360 degree view is incredible. 10/10 would recommend to anyone confident in their hiking ability
5.0
Short but sweet. Trail climbs from the get go. Bring sturdy shoes w lots of traction. Bugs were a Minor issue but the view from the top is amazing. Memorial to fallen comrades is breathtaking and puts things in perspective as you watch over the Bear mountain bridge and lo hud valley. Careful on way down w the spider webs!!!
4.0
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Nearby
Hike Bald Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park
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Hike the Osborn Loop
Hike the Camp Smith Trail
Storm King Mountain Loop
Hike the North Point Loop
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