Appalachian Trail New York

Appalachian Trail GPS Tracks Get the complete GPS Tracks for the AT in New York State for ONLY $1.97!  This .gpx file includes waypoints for all trail shelters along the trail in NY and many of the official AT parking areas.  Use the BUY NOW button below and we'll send you the file via e-mail!  Happy Hiking! NOTE: The tracks are from 2009. Some trail relocation may have occurred, which will not be reflected with our GPS Tracks.  The tracks are very close to the current trail.

The Appalachian Trail travels nearly 90 miles in New York State.  Although the trail passes 30 miles to the north of New York City and travels through a large populated area, the trail keeps most of its remote feel.  The lowest point along the whole trail is located in the state where the trail travels through the Bear Mountain Zoo near the busy Bear Mountain Bridge at an elevation of 124 feet.

The AT travels through numerous state parks on its journey through the empire state.  The trail passes through Sterling Forest State Park, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park, Hudson Highlands State Park and Clarence Fahnestock State Park.  You'll find campgrounds at Harriman and Clarence Fahnestock State Parks.  The highest point on the AT in NY is 1433 feet at Prospect Rock on Bellvale Mountain.

There are eight shelters located along the trail in New York.  If you were hiking northbound you'd encounter Wildcat Shelter north of NY 17A along the very long Bellvale Mountain.  Next is Fingerboard Shelter in Harriman State Park near Lake Tiorati.  You'll also find William Brien Memorial Shelter and the West Mountain Shelter in Harriman State Park.  The West Mountain Shelter, although off the main AT, is very popular due to its spectacular view including the skyline of Manhattan on clear days.

The RPH Shelter is located just west of the Taconic State Parkway.  Morgan Stewart Memorial Shelter is located near Depot Hill, west of the NY 55 crossing.  Telephone Pioneers Shelter is located after Nuclear Lake, west of the NY 22 crossing.  Wiley Shelter is located near the Connecticut state line.

Technically the AT first enters NY State as the trail travels along the NY/NJ state line near NJ 284 and actually enters New York briefly to cross the Wallkill River during a road walk.  Our coverage of the AT in NY starts when the trail enters the state near Greenwood Lake on Bellvale Mountain and continues to the Connecticut State Line.

The AT train stop near Pawling along NY 22

The very first section of the Appalachian Trail was completed in 1923 at Bear Mountain State Park.  The section of the AT that travels through Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks is one of the heaviest hiked sections of the trail.  Recently some of the trail at Bear Mountain State Park was part of a major reconstruction project that included impressive rock steps for some steep sections.

Taking a hike along the AT in New York will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby big city life.  You'll be amazed at the quiet of nature and the spectacular views along the way.  You can even take the trail to get to the trail!  Use the links above to explore different sections of the AT in New York.  You can find more information from the Appalachian Trail page from the NY-NJ Trail Conference website.  We also suggest purchasing the Appalachian Trail Guide to New York-New Jersey.

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