Giant Stairs Palisades — Attraction in Alpine

Raspberry, Wineberry, and Grape heaven on rock strewn scrambles along the mighty Hudson River.

What makes a great hike? When I consider what will create memorable experiences for the groups I coordinate hiking trips for I seek areas that will challenge, amaze, and take oneself outside the urban stinkin' thinking.

Start at State Line Lookout (large free parking lot) which has a snack shop with restrooms (both closed during Covid - as of July 2020 the snack shop was open for patrons to order, grab and go snacks and beverage but restrooms still closed so it's return to nature if you have to go).

We do a 4.3 mile loop (one extra mile if you add the Women's Federation Monument - interesting small castle like structure that you can enter).

Along the trails there are all the berries mentioned above if you time it just right. The rock scrambles are a bit demanding for those who are skiddish of scrambling over boulders or not physically fit for the mileage, or have issues with a 600' ascent on either steep stairs or through the woods.

Most of the hikers hike across Long Path north bound (a aqua blazed trail that runs from the GWB to MA) through the woods - this is flat and fairly level until you descend towards Skunk Hollow and the waterfall.

After the waterfall in about 0.5 miles the rock scrambles start (signs warning you are throughout the trail to warn hikers so they have ample time to turn back).

One of of the rock scramble fields passes through where the Palisades cliff fell off in an enormous avalanche in a heap of rumble.

You will eventually come to a point that has a trail heading up the cliff towards the extremely steep stairs that will wind you. Towards to the top there will be a split near a small pedestrian bridge where you can choose to head back to the parking lot of head south to the Memorial (about 0.5 miles uphill).

If you go to the memorial you don't have to return downhill to the stairs only to hike back up the stairs.. you can go past the castle to a trail to the left and make a right turn at a connecting trail that will exit you near the car entrance your entered with your vehicle to State Line Lookout. There you would walk along side of road back to lot, or you can return along a ski trail or Long Path which you can catch across the road with in 0.25 miles.

Personally, I take our group the other direction. Why? I have to go down mind numbing stairs because they are so steep, but I am climbing down them :) And then at the ascent at the waterfall it is not as steep because the ascent is more spread out, and the finale along Long Path is a good way to unwind your muscles and cool down vs. finishing exhausted and fighting for your breath after a long climb up the stairs.

If you continue past this ascent rail to the stairs down by the river, and you keep heading south you will eventually make it to the marinas and peanut loop - the GWB will be in the distance and there are no rock scrambles south of the stair ascent to the State Line Lookout.

Whichever route you choose it is a spectacular hike with incredible views along the Hudson and a challenging rock scramble filled playground with a good cardio workout.

You will be able to see the Mario Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge to the north along the Hudson from the river side trail but not Long path trail above).

Although parking lot and overlooks near snack shop are handicap accessible, the trails below are not.

Make sure you to to the lookout to the far left for below you may see the Peregrine Falcons soaring. My last visit we saw two soaring below us. What an amazing sight!

Bring hiking shoes or boots (good traction and ankle support, plenty of hydration, optional - climbing gloves and camera).

Beware of an abundance of poison ivy along trails.

We didn't know the difference between the raspberries and wineberries until after some research at home but there is an abundance there in July. The grapes are more towards August/September.

There are Turkey and Black Vultures, and Falcons in area.

Enjoy...

Philadelphia based hiking and outdoor adventure guide and leader here. The Giants Stairs is a fun, moderately difficult rock scramble. This is a great place to hike because of the trails doing a loop, you can do the scramble in the middle of your hike and vary the total distance depending on how far out and back you go on the upper and lower trails. The area provides a great workout, and you can easily surpass a thousand feet in elevation gain throughout the day if you do some of the longer loops. The picnic area by the yacht/marina is a great spot for lunch/picnics. Even if you can't get there on a hike you can do the hike and rock scramble then head down to the marina for food and views.

As with any moderate rock scramble, you should have plenty of water, firm ankle support, sturdy and firm soles, and watch your hand and feet placement at all times. While I have never seen a snake there in six or more trips, rangers and other visitors have reported copperheads near the waterfall (just past the northern end/start of the scramble) during summer months. So, tread carefully, especially if you need to step off trail.

I personally recommend doing a counter-clockwise loop, no matter how long of a loop you do - as the trail coming back up the ridgeline north of the scramble is steep and a hell of a workout, but there's plenty of places to stop, even sit, and rest, the creek you follow for a bit is great to watch, and the staircase that is the first spot where you can ascend/descend south of the scramble, I think, is harder on your legs and there aren't nearly as many places to break and the views aren't that good heading...

Honestly I am genuinely impressed that this hiking exists in New Jersey of all places.

We parked at the palisades hiking spot and took the long path (which was basically like a walk in the woods) up until the giant stairs. From there we climbed down and then went left until we reached the start of the rock scrambles (you should see other people to know where the start is and how far to walk down this path to get to them). From there it was a good 1.5-2 hours until the waterfall but well worth it. From there we made our way to the park café and took an Uber back to our car 😂From start to finish - it was a little over 3 hours of hiking. I felt great for the rest of the night that’s for sure and we clocked in about 15k steps or 6.7 miles!

The rock scrambles were relatively difficult just a heads up but it is worth it. And it was great to end at the waterfall even though you still had to find your way back to the road from there.

Another heads up - our Uber took 20 minutes to get to the café. Another way to get back to the starting point is to walk but it would have...