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Breakneck Ridge to Sugarloaf Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.4 (34)
  1. Areas
  2. NY
  3. …Lower Hudson Valley
  4. …Cornwall-On-Hudson
  5. Hudson Highlands State Park
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“A must-do route for New Yorkers, plus some added trails and Sugarloaf Mountain, all accessible by Metro North. ”

Karl W
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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.9

KM

Point to Point

1,180' 360 m

High

5' 2 m

Low

1,490' 454 m

Up

1,483' 452 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

68%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

Overview

Breakneck Ridge is a classic hike in the Hudson Valley that is accessible by Metro North from NYC. It is extremely steep at first, but doesn't require much scrambling.

The ridge offers excellent views of the Hudson River. Less known than the ridge hike is that there is a mess of great trails in the Hudson Highlands once you get to the top. Crowds thin rapidly from the ridge to allow some lovely peace and quiet. This can be shortened or lengthened as you see fit.

You'll also get to ascend Sugarload Mountain before taking a less-steep route down than the Breakneck Ridge Trail. You can then take the metro back into the city to treat yourself to a much-deserved beer :)

Description

This trail can be accessed on weekends via the Metro North Hudson line. There is a special stop for Breakneck Ridge - be mindful as it is a single train door that will open onto a "station" that is no more than a set of wooden stairs. From the "station," hike south along the road to the trailhead. The trailhead is just before a tunnel on the right/south.

There will likely be a mass of people that just got off the train so I recommend just chilling for 15-30 minutes to let them get ahead if you don't want to be part of the parade going up the ridge (or race ahead if you're fast).

The ridge ascent is very steep, but you can see some old switchbacks to make it basically a steep hike-up. You won't need your hands for much more than balance, but I wouldn't bring kiddies on this trail. Once to the top, you get excellent views of the Hudson River and access to a large number of trails.

For this route stay on the Breakneck Ridge Trail. You'll get some more nice views as the trail follows the ridge line, as well as a bit more elevation gain and loss. If you have had enough, you can take the Breakneck Bypass Trail back down right away. Or continue on to the blue-blazed Notch Trail.

The Notch Trail will connect to the yellow-blazed Wilkinson Memorial Trail after less than a half mile. Turn left onto Wilkinson Memorial Trail to head back. You'll stay on this trail the whole way back down to the metro tracks, but not before ascending Sugarloaf Mountain for some lovely views north. There are a few steep points on the descent as well, but nothing as consistently steep as the ascent.

When you get to the road, you'll have to head north to get to an overpass over the train tracks. Remember the metro back is heading the opposite direction! When you pass over the train tracks, you'll see the yellow train platform for the return metro again.

Contacts

Land Manager: NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation - Bear Mountain State Park

Shared By:

Karl W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 34 votes

#2

in Hudson Highlands State Park

#390

Overall
  4.4 from 34 votes
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#2

in Hudson Highlands State…

#7

in New York

#390

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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

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 35 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 11, 2022
Alexander Saff
Jun 22, 2022
Joseph Cordero
Very Fun challenging Entrance
Nov 13, 2021
Muhammad Ahmed
Sep 12, 2021
Erik Stockmeier
Not sure why my gps distance came out so much different - parked between the two trailheads so my walk formed a loop in the end. Nice hike 7.6mi — 4h 02m
Aug 20, 2021
David Perkins
Oct 10, 2020
Alicia Chao
Hike up breakneck, down yellow to blue to Cornish parking lot trailhead. No parking!! Parallel parking vs 45 degrees and walled off parking 6.1mi — 3h 30m
Aug 23, 2020
jian li
Mar 22, 2020
Kristina O'Neill

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