Bull Hill — Local services in Town of Philipstown

Along the Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway lies several state parks and mountains, one of which is Bull Hill. The difficulty of this hiking trail is moderate to difficult, depending on which path you take: Short Loop or Full Loop.

Both the Bull Hill Short Loop and Bull Hill Full Loop begins at the Washburn Trailhead, where you hike up over 1000' in elevation, within the first 2 miles! A friendly advice I have is to take MULTIPLE breaks, bring an extra shirt, and wear shorts. Even if it's a bit chilly or you're afraid of bugs, long pants will wear you out more! There are several scenic views along the way as you approach the crossroad between the Washburn Trail and Undercliff Trail. For the Short Loop, turn left onto Undercliff Trail. This one is shorter by 1 miles and will take an hour less than the Full Loop. However, this one is more challenging!

My friends and I took the Short Loop for time convenience. Despite several posting claiming this is challenging, the rest of the trail was not as bad as the beginning of the hike (with the steep, rapid elevation gain). The only thing you need to be careful of are the rocks. There is a section where it is rocks, which may apply more pressure against the sole of your shoes and feet.

Nonetheless, my friends and I enjoy this hike. We were sad that we couldn't go to the peak (which was on the Full Loop Trail), but there was still an amazing view along the Short Loop! I also suggest you stop by the Cornish Estate Ruins on your way back, alongside the Cornish Trail. Always remember to wear proper hiking gear, bring plenty of water, and stay safe. You will be given a map of the trail that has an emergency phone number for the service members to help find you...

We got here around 4pm, it was a lil too late. We were planning to finish the full loop, (there’s a short 1-2hrs loop and full loop 2-3hrs). We go to the full loop until the highest peak of it, and just came back where we started coz when we got there its already around 5:30ish, so if we will try to finish the full loop, we will reach the end loop at around 8pm, and its kinda scary already coz when we got on the peak, we’re the only persons over there, we stay there for good 30mins but seen no one, so we just plan to go back, coz we don’t know what’s in the trail. Lol. But as fast as we saw, nothing seems scary and suspicious so i think if some people plans to do night hike, i think it will be safe. Just make sure to bring some good flash lights and you should be in complete gear just incase. Its a lil rocky but not as rocky as breakneck. But its still good, and I recommend this to people who we’re just looking for some lowkey hikes or for...

I truly enjoyed this hike. There's a few loops you can choose from. I Chose the longest, which is a moderate hike. Lots of stairs & elevation with rocky roads.

🦋I started with the Washburn (white) trail to the Bull Hill summit & kept going. There is a geological survey marker at the summit. SO MUCH NATURE! lots of swallow tail butterflies, moths, birds, etc. Great views but fairly strenuous hike.

🦋porter potties in beginning of hike. Parking available. Make sure to bring proper footwear like hiking shoes and lots of water.

🦋when we finished the bull hill. We did the blue stickers trail to the parking lot. We discovered the burned Mansion! Oh I highly recommend this experience. The Northgate project is such a sight. This was the highlight...