This 358-Mile Winter Hiking Trail Starts On A NYC Subway Platform — And Turns Into A Frozen Wilderness Upstate

New York City may be known for its concrete canyons, crowded sidewalks, and nonstop noise. But tucked into the corner of Upper Manhattan is something most New Yorkers walk past without realizing what it becomes . 👀 The Long Path — a 358-mile [hiking trail](https://secretnyc.co/amazing-hiking-trails-can-get-nyc-public-transport/) marked by aqua-blue blazes — officially begins at the 175th Street A train station in Washington Heights . From there, it crosses the George Washington Bridge, slips into the Palisades, and keeps going...and going... all the way through the Catskills and up to the Helderberg Escarpment near Albany. What starts as a city walk quietly transforms into one of the most rugged, scenic long-distance trails in the Northeast — climbing cliffs, passing frozen [waterfalls](https://secretnyc.co/best-waterfalls-near-nyc/), cutting through snow-covered forests, and summiting the highest peak in the Catskills . And right now, in the dead of winter, the Long Path is at its most dramatic. 🥾 What is the Long Path? ---------------------------- The Long Path is **New York State’s longest trail that begins *and* ends entirely within New York, stretching roughly 358 miles from Manhattan to Thacher State Park near Albany. Maintained by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the route is marked with distinctive teal-blue blazes that feel very New York in spirit. Along the way, the trail moves through an incredible range of landscapes, starting with urban parks and river crossings before climbing basalt cliffs along the Hudson, diving into the forests of Harriman State Park, winding past waterfall-lined ridges in the Shawangunks, pushing through the snow-heavy high peaks of the Catskills, and finally crossing rolling farmland and limestone cliffs near Albany. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, the Long Path was designed for section hiking. You don’t need weeks off work or a full thru-hiking setup to experience it. Most people tackle it in pieces — knocking out short segments over weekends or even hiking a few miles at a time before turning back. The wildest part? You can reach it without a car. 🚇 The subway-to-wilderness start ------------------------------------ The most insane part of the whole thing is where the Long Path literally begins. The official starting point sits steps from the 175th Street A train station in Washington Heights. From there, hikers walk through Fort Tryon Park, cross the George Washington Bridge on foot, and follow aqua-blue blazes straight into the Palisades. In winter, that bridge crossing is brutal in the best way — icy wind whipping off the Hudson, the Manhattan skyline dusted with frost, and the sudden realization that you’re walking out of the city and directly into the woods. Within just a few miles, skyscrapers vanish and are replaced by towering cliffs, frozen rock walls, and quiet forest trails. 🧊 Winter turns the Long Path into something else entirely ------------------------------------------------------------- Winter gives the Long Path a serious glow-up, transforming it into one of the best winter hikes in New York State. Snow muffles sound, ice reshapes familiar landmarks, and crowds thin out quickly — especially beyond Harriman State Park. The trail moves slower and quieter in winter, with entire stretches taking on a completely different personality than they do in summer! Along the Palisades Escarpment, massive basalt cliffs tower above the Hudson River, draped with frozen ice curtains clinging to the rock face. In Harriman, well-traveled routes often pack down enough for microspikes, though fresh snowfall can quickly make snowshoes essential. Farther north, the Shawangunks around Minnewaska and Sam’s Point feel almost alpine, with frozen lakes, sheer cliffs, and crystalline ice caves tucked into the ridge. The Long Path also passes some of the state’s most dramatic winter scenery. Kaaterskill Falls, reached via a side trail, often freezes into a towering wall of ice, while Verkeerderkill Falls becomes a glassy cascade sculpted by wind and cold. Around North–South Lake, frozen water reflects the slope above in soft pastel sunrises, and at higher elevations, trees turn into “snow ghosts,” completely coated in thick ice. By the time the trail reaches the Catskill High Peaks, winter fully takes over — Slide Mountain, the trail’s highest point at 4,180 feet, becomes a true snowbound wilderness of hoarfrost-covered trees and deep, drifting snow. It’s a fantasy-level landscape most New Yorkers never realize is connected to a trail that begins in Manhattan. 🏘️ Small town stops & trail magic ------------------------------------- The Long Path isn’t just wilderness, either, it threads through small, walkable towns that offer perfect breaks between long forest stretches. Early in the route, Piermont, NY provides river views and historic architecture along the Hudson, making it an ideal coffee stop after the first leg. Further north, Chester and Goshen sit in the Black Dirt Region, where ancient farmland and quiet rail-trail sections slow the pace. In the Catskills, Phoenicia remains a classic hiker favorite, known for cozy inns and legendary diner stops. And in the Schoharie Valley, Vroman’s Nose delivers one of the trail’s most surprising (and underrated) viewpoints — a massive flat-topped rock overlooking snow-covered fields below. ⚠️ What New Yorkers should know before hiking it in winter -------------------------------------------------------------- Winter hiking on the Long Path is stunning, but it isn’t casual let’s make that clear. Snow can bury trail blazes, so offline navigation apps like Avenza or AllTrails are essential. Proper winter gear matters here — microspikes for ice, snowshoes for deep drifts, gaiters to keep snow out of boots, and a reliable headlamp since darkness comes early. Temperatures at higher elevations regularly drop 20 to 30 degrees colder than trailheads, and once the sun sets in late afternoon, the trail gets dark fast so keep this in mind! While The Appalachian Trail gets all the headlines, and Vermont has the Long Trail, the Long Path feels like New York’s greatest hits album** — stitched together into one continuous route. It connects subway platforms to mountain summits, frozen waterfalls to skyline views, and silent forests to small-town diners. You don’t need to hike all 358 miles to understand why it’s special. And honestly? That’s kind of the whole point. Source: https://secretnyc.co/long-path-winter-hiking-trail-new-york/