Some hikes are stunning. Others are a great workout. A few are convenient because of their close locations to major cities. And then there are those that have all of these qualities and are therefore extremely crowded. But, sometimes this is the price you pay for a great hike, and even though the crowds sound tedious, the trail and the subsequent views can make any inconvenience seem minor. As it happens, this is the case for the Bear Mountain Loop Trail in New York’s Bear Mountain State Park.

This loop hike wraps around Bear Mountain for 3.7 miles, passes by Fort Stevens, and even follows part of the famous Appalachian Trail (running over two thousand miles across multiple states). The views consist of overlooks of the Hudson Valley, Hudson River, and Hessian Lake—mainly wide sweeping sights of forests, mountains (that are really more akin to very large hills), and calm water features. Although the trail is available during every season, autumn is the most popular due to the exceptional fall foliage and cooler weather. Then, spring with its wildflowers and greenery. Finally, summer and winter are tied, but for different reasons. Summer is popular but extremely crowded, and it can get uncomfortably hot. Winter brings gorgeous views of the snow-laden valley, but the hike itself can be extremely dangerous due to ice. 

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Although the hike isn’t dangerous all year, it is certainly of moderate difficulty at a minimum, if not ranging to a downright hard level. Taking anywhere from three to four hours, the trail is well-maintained and marked, but has some extremely steep sections and lots of stairs. At times, hikers have noted that the trail feels as if it requires scrambling due to the major differences in elevation in some places. As a result, it has become common knowledge among locals to do the hike counter-clockwise and wear extremely sturdy footwear. The climb is already enough to deal with as is, and the results are known to be worth it, but for those looking for even better views, the Perkins Memorial Tower offers a higher perspective (and even more stairs).

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Taking under an hour and thirty minutes to reach by car from New York City, the Bear Mountain State Park has become a go-to area for tourists and locals alike. But this is nothing new, and has actually been the case for this area since the 1910s. Originally, during its early formation, the park was famous for ski jumping and Boy Scout retreats. Today, the potential activities have expanded, with hiking, skiing, fishing, and ice skating offered, as well as areas for young children like a zoo, a merry-go-round, museums, and play areas. Then, for those who wish to stay in the area, there’s always the historic Bear Mountain Inn!

With such a variety of things to do and see in the state park (all popular, of course), the Bear Mountain Loop Trail could sometimes feel like just another tourist attraction instead of a viable hike. But for those who are extremely crowd-averse, try visiting in the early mornings or during less busy seasons (spring, especially). In any case, this trail is prepared for large numbers of people and with its gorgeous views and well-maintained trails, is well worth the trek and sweat!

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