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Bear Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (67)
  1. Areas
  2. NY
  3. …Lower Hudson Valley
  4. …Tomkins Cove
  5. Bear Mountain State Park
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“A moderate loop with some fun rock scrambling and amazing views toward the city. ”

Zander Göpfert
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Map Key

3.7

Miles

5.9

KM

Loop

1,287' 392 m

High

167' 51 m

Low

1,121' 342 m

Up

1,120' 342 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

59%

Max Grade (31°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildlife

Overview

An ideal first stage of a Bear Mountain Loop, the Major Welch Trail is "spicier" than the Appalachian Trail approach, as well as more scenic and more challenging. Stroll past scenic Hessian Lake on a flat grade, then ascend through woodland, breaking out on to a series of rock slabs that will give you an ever-improving view of the Hudson River valley.

While not technically rock climbing, you'll get more exposure than a typical hike and the use of hands will be required in some spots. The top flattens out as you join the Appalachian Trail and finish at the Perkins Memorial Tower on top of Bear Mountain, where the view opens up to the south towards New York City.

Description

To access this loop, start at the Carousel in the main Bear Mountain parking lot and hike north along the asphalt start of the Major Welch Trail around the west shore of Hessian Lake. Pass the lake on the right, and go to almost the other end of the lake, where you'll find a trail leaving the pavement up to the left.

Follow this singletrack section of the Major Welch Trail as it gently curves to the left and suddenly begins to ascend more directly.

After passing through some rough trail and some newly installed steps, you'll emerge at the first of a series of exposed rock faces. Your shoes should just barely allow you to climb up these faces without the use of hands in dry weather, but maintain three points of contact to be safe!

Each ledge offers a better and better view, first of Popolopen Torne across Popolopen Gorge and Route 6, then the town of Fort Montgomery, then the Bear Mountain Bridge, and north to West Point.

Finally, you'll cross Perkins Memorial Drive (watch out for cyclists and motor vehicles!) and reach the summit plateau, where the trail turns right to contour around under the summit through a mythical-looking pine forest strewn with house-sized boulders, eventually ending at the summit parking lot. Take pictures of the skyscrapers of Manhattan a world away, and descend back to the car via the Appalachian Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NY State Parks

Shared By:

Zander Göpfert with improvements by Joshua Howard
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 67 votes

#1

in Bear Mountain State Park

#143

Overall
  4.1 from 67 votes
5 Star
34%
4 Star
48%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bear Mountain State Park

#2

in New York

#143

Overall
44 Views Last Month
42,198 Since Nov 22, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
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31%
13%
56%
0%
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Photos

View from an overlook just off the trail.
Nov 12, 2020 near Fort Mo…, NY
View of the Hudson River
Nov 12, 2020 near Fort Mo…, NY
A few hours of travel finally brought us to the peak!
May 17, 2017 near Fort Mo…, NY
Bear Mountain Park and surrounding area.
Nov 22, 2016 near Fort Mo…, NY
Bear Mountain Park.
Nov 22, 2016 near Fort Mo…, NY
New Appalachian Trail on Bear Mountain
Oct 4, 2018 near Fort Mo…, NY

2 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 53 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 3, 2024
jay p
very difficult. very steep rock climb and slippery. not for beginners or without proper gears. 3.7mi — 3h 25m
Jun 2, 2024
Mackenzie Miller
3.7mi — 3h 00m
May 9, 2023
Spencer Ayyyyy
Feb 26, 2023
Michael M
4mi — 5h 00m
Nov 8, 2022
Christine Wright
Nov 8, 2022
Dan McVey
Nov 8, 2022
Dougal Heap
Sep 17, 2022
Grégoire Ball

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