Storm King Mountain Loop
Cornwall, New York
Details
Distance
2.44 miles
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Michael Martineau
Hike to multiple ledges where you'll have 360 degree views of the Hudson Valley.
This is an easy, yet very rewarding hike with a lot of viewpoints on the way up. Technically you scale up two mountains, Butter Hill and Storm King, but most people just describe it as Storm King Mountain. This is a great hike for families with younger kids, those who don't have much time but want to get a hike in, and those looking for great foliage shots of the Hudson Valley.
The parking lot is right off of Rt. 9w and I mean right off it. After parking, locate the historical sign and then proceed to the left of it finding the Orange Trail (starts right by the far side of the parking lot). The trail start moderately steep but provides some fun small scrambling sections. Once up, you will see the ruins of a small building with only the stone pillars left. Walk through the pillars and then you will proceed downward, still on the Orange Trail. Now you will scale up Butter Hill, which in my opinion has the better views on this hike.
After the steep upward section you are immediately rewarded with ledges to walk out onto for photos. I also encourage you to explore off the trail, there are some great areas where the angles are better for those photographers out there (watch your footing around the ledges). Be on the look out for some hawks that like to float through the valley.
Once ready, pick up the Orange Trail again and proceed on until the trail ends at a junction. VERY IMPORTANT at the end of the Orange Trail turn right (the trail to the right is narrow and doesn't look like it is a trail) taking the Yellow Trail from now on. Continue on this trail, following it all the way to the top of Storm King. There will be trails that intersect on the way up but just follow the Yellow/Light Blue markers.
At the main overlook of Storm King you get a great view to the north and on clear days you can see the Catskill Mountains. As you begin back down the Yellow/Light Blue Trail there are more ledges to your left you can shoot off the trail to. There are some great spots to set up a hammock and look out over the valley. On your way down look out for the White Trail. You will be jumping on this and taking it all the way back to the parking lot.
Trail Markers Breakdown: Orange to Yellow to Yellow/Light Blue to White
Download the Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Reviews
The Storm King hike in Cornwall, NY is such a great beginner to intermediate hike. I love doing this hike in the summertime with friends. There are a few steep inclines, but there are flat stretches too. The views are great! I'd recommend packing lunch or a snack to stop for a picnic break at one of the lookouts.
5.0
This hike was wonderful. My family and I went on a clear day, and the views were absolutely amazing! Definitely a good hike for those families mixed with beginner and intermediate levels. It's a workout for new hikers, specifically with the steep scrambles, but not too bad at all. My only issue was the way back and finding the white trail along the blue/yellow trail. We weren't sure how long to continue along the blue/yellow in order to reach the white, and we ultimately ended up back on the orange trail, continuing down the way we came for the final portion.
4.0
Even though I agree with the everyone that this is a great trail with wonderful views, I would not call it beginner. Maybe closer to intermediate. I have done a lot of hiking over the years including the Alps and in the US West and this was a harder than i thought or I would not have invited someone who was very new to hiking. I have to admit all the trails were very clearly marked and they were easy to spot as well. I love the area and would go back again.
4.0
Easy trail with similar views to Breakneck ridge, parking space can be a squeeze if you get there late. Great hike along the white trail for dogs as well.
4.0
What wonderful views! The trail is great-- just enough boulders and scrambling to get your hands dirty and make it feel rugged, but really well marked and not too steep (for the most part). Great for beginners and intermediate hikers, and still fun for the more experienced. My favorite views were on the southside of the mountain, and we had to get creative following footpaths off the trail... wouldn't recommend unless you're confident in your navigation skills but all the views were gorgeous anyway.
5.0
This is a fun hike, especially to bring new hikers on. It's not terribly difficult but you'll break a sweat and be rewarded with awesome views. The different trails that cross through here can be confusing, I highly suggest having a trail map (I love the NYNJ Trail Conference maps for everything in the Hudson Valley). A note on the parking, you can only access the parking lot if you're on 9W heading north, so plan your drive accordingly!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Hike the North Point Loop
Hike the Stillman - Bluebird Loop
Mt. Taurus (Bull Hill)
Hike the Cornish/Brook/Notch/Washburn/Undercliff Loop
Sugarloaf Mountain and Breakneck Ridge Loop
Breakneck Ridge Loop
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy