Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Breakneck Ridge Bypass

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (61)
  1. Areas
  2. NY
  3. …Lower Hudson Valley
  4. …Cornwall-On-Hudson
  5. Hudson Highlands State Park
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“Breakneck Ridge with a bypass that makes for a shorter hike. ”

Matthew Roeder
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.8

Miles

4.5

KM

Loop

1,164' 355 m

High

31' 9 m

Low

1,129' 344 m

Up

1,135' 346 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

66%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views

Overview

Breakneck Ridge is a classic loop in the Hudson Valley that is accessible by Metro North from NYC. It is extremely steep at first, but doesn't require much scrambling. This hike includes the bypass trail to make for a short and fast trip, but still includes all the challenges of a longer route.

Need to Know

There's a hot dog stand between the main parking and the train stop. They taste better after the hike.

Description

This loop can be accessed on weekends via the Metro North Hudson line or by car (ample parking). 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 train stop or parking, make your way south along the road to the trailhead. The trailhead is just before a tunnel on the right/south.

The ridge ascent along the Breakneck Ridge Trail 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.

Stay on the white blazes past the several few peaks and viewpoints. You'll intersect with a trail featuring yellow blazes that send the trail to the right, but stay with the white Breakneck Ridge Trail. About 3/4 of a mile past the yellow blaze intersection, you'll see red blazes for the Breakneck Bypass Trail where you'll head to the left.

Follow that for another 3/4 of a mile and it'll dead end into the Wilkinson Memorial Trail, which has yellow blazes. Take a left there and it's a quick shot back to the main road.

Contacts

Land Manager: NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation - Hudson Highlands State Park

Shared By:

Matthew Roeder
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 61 votes

#1

in Hudson Highlands State Park

#133

Overall
  4.8 from 61 votes
5 Star
87%
4 Star
11%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hudson Highlands State…

#1

in New York

#133

Overall
44 Views Last Month
11,273 Since Jun 9, 2017
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
4%
2%
86%
8%
Add a Photo

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

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 79 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 16, 2023
Usher Eichenstein
Jun 4, 2022
Malith Waharaka
2h 00m
May 27, 2022
Hugo D
Nov 11, 2021
Eric G
My wife and I hiked this route on a lovely Thursday morning. I knew this involved steep boulder crawling, but I didn't think it was gonna be in th…
Jun 26, 2021
Ricardo Vimos Martinez
First Timers — 3h 30m
Dec 31, 2020
Emma Stoltze
Oct 10, 2020
Qi Xia
3mi — 3h 00m
Oct 6, 2020
Lou Poulas
Wow, can't believe i have not tried this before 3.2mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started