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Breakneck Ridge Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (31)
  1. Areas
  2. NY
  3. …Lower Hudson Valley
  4. …Cornwall-On-Hudson
  5. Hudson Highlands State Park
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“A steep scramble to some great Hudson Valley views, followed by beautiful trail of rolling hills. ”

Ben Duchac
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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.6

KM

Point to Point

1,539' 469 m

High

104' 32 m

Low

1,735' 529 m

Up

385' 118 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

73%

Max Grade (36°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Need to Know

If hiking with a dog, be aware that there is a lot of rock scrambling which may require you to lift of carry smaller dogs over the large scrambles so a harness is recommended.

Description

From the trailhead you cross over the road and straight up past a series of summits with progressively impressive views. Once you get to the top, follow white blazes through the woods, dropping into a couple valleys, and then climbing out again. The trail follows the ridge, passing the beacon mountain fire tower, then heading to beacon reservoir, where it connects to the top of the Mount Beacon South Summit trail.

Flora & Fauna

Birds and deer, a coyote if you're lucky.

Contacts

Land Manager: NY State Parks

Shared By:

Ben Duchac with improvements by John Patrick
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 31 votes

#1

in Hudson Highlands State Park

#96

Overall
  4.7 from 31 votes
5 Star
81%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Hudson Highlands State…

#2

in New York

#96

Overall
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10,599 Since Apr 22, 2015
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Photos

Heading up the Breakneck scramble in light snow
Apr 23, 2015 near Cornwal…, NY
Breakneck Ridge III
Apr 23, 2015 near Cornwal…, NY
Breakneck Ridge I
Apr 23, 2015 near Cold Sp…, NY
Climbing the initial scramble up the Breakneck Ridge Trail
Apr 23, 2015 near Cornwal…, NY
The steepest part, between the second and third summits (there's a way to go around if this is too much for you)
Apr 23, 2015 near Cornwal…, NY
One of the numerous overlooks of Breakneck Ridge. This spot overlooks the Hudson River with Storm King Mountain in the distance.
Oct 10, 2020 near Cornwal…, NY

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2023
Alan Garcia
Aug 20, 2023
Aashish K
Hiked this trail to the end just past the fire tower, and then turned left to take the Casino Trail into Beacon. 6.5mi — 6h 00m
Jan 23, 2022
Jay Kay
Nov 4, 2021
Mark Toner
Jul 23, 2021
Winy Taveras
This was a hard hike. 5.7mi — 9h 30m
Mar 21, 2021
Tiff C
The scramble to the first resting area took about an hour. We made it to the split where the option for the shorter Breakneck Ridge Bypass begins i…
Aug 22, 2020
Stephen Mucci
Nov 29, 2019
T M

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