The Hudson River Valley has some amazing hiking trails!
And a few of our favorites are a short drive from West Point. If you are attending West Point, a family member of a cadet, or are just exploring the region, you’ll find plenty of trails of varying difficulties. Below, we share our favorite hikes near West Point, along with a few more options.
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A Great Location for Hiking!
The United States Military Academy, familiary West Point, is located in the southern half of the Middle Hudson River Valley. That means it is close to some fantastic hiking!
When students, faculty, and family members have extra time, they can easily get to some amazing hikes in the Catskills, like Kaaterskill Falls and Sunset Rock, or Sam’s Point, which is a little closer. Even the fantastic trails in the Delaware Water Gap, like Raymondskill Falls and Hackers Falls, are about an hour away.
However, if you’re at West Point, you don’t have to travel too far to get some of the best hikes with incredible views of the Hudson River.
Things to Know Before You Hike Near West Point
Dangerous Cliffs
Most of the overlooks along the Hudson River feature steep drop-offs. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep kids and pets close to you.
Winter Hiking
All of the below trails can be very icy and slippery in the winter months. Be prepared with appropriate equipment, such as ice spikes/crampons and hiking poles.
Wildlife
You might encounter poisonous snakes or bears along your hike. Always keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Bring The Essentials
Water, snacks, and more! Find the full list of day-hike essentials here.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember to respect nature as you hike these trails. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Best Hiking Trails Near West Point Academy
Storm King Mountain Loop
| Trail Location: | At the west end of the parking lot. |
| Trail Length: | 2.6-mile loop (can be lengthened or shortened) |
| Trail Difficulty: | The trail is on the harder side of moderate. It is very steep for the first half-mile. |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 740 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
First, let’s travel about 15 minutes north of the Military Academy to Storm King State Park.
There are several trails at Storm King, allowing you to create a hike that is long enough (or short enough) for you!
Good to Know: Dogs are allowed. The parking at the trailhead fills up quickly during popular hiking times. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
We personally love the 2.6-mile-loop that starts at the Storm King Mountain parking area along Route 9W. This loop is challenging, featuring 740 feet of elevation gain and a few rock scrambles. But the payoff is worth it, with views of the Hudson River to the north and south.
The hike begins with a tough climb up the Butter Hill Trail, featuring rocky scrambles and some hands-on sections, before leveling out along the ridgeline via the Highlands/Stillman Trail, where multiple lookout spots offer panoramic vistas.
As you follow the trail, you’ll have opportunities to shorten or lengthen your hike by using intersecting trails like the Howell or Bluebird trails, changing the trail lengths to 1.5 or 3.4 miles.
The final section follows the bypass trail back to the parking area, with one last uphill before the finish.
Anthony’s Nose (Two Trail Options)
| Trail Location: | You can get to Anthony’s nose via the trail on Bear Mountain-Beacon Hwy or the Camp Smith Trailhead on Grand Army of the Republic Hwy |
| Trail Length: | From Bear Mountain, it’s 2 miles, out and back. From Camp Smit,h it’s 2.4 miles, out and back. |
| Trail Difficulty: | Both trails are considered moderate |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 680 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Just across Bear Mountain Bridge, you’ll find the trails to Anthony’s Nose. Who is Anthony? We’re not quite sure. The peak has had the name since around 1697. It could be named after Anthony Van Corlaer, a trumpeter of New Amsterdam, or Anthony de Hooges, a deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church and early settler of Rensselaerswyck, known for his prominent nose.
Regardless of its namesake, Anthony’s Nose is another popular destination near West Point, offering beautiful views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge. It would also be a great location to watch the sunset! There are a few trails leading to Anthony’s Nose. These are two of the most popular ones.
From Bear Mountain-Beacon Hwy
To get to Anthony’s Nose from Bear Mountain-Beacon Hwy, you’ll start along the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) for about a half-mile. This section of the trail is the steepest (about 500 feet in elevation gain) and features a stone staircase at the start.
Once you connect to the Camp Smith Trail (blue blazes), make a right and continue another .6 miles to Anthony’s Nose. This section is pretty easy in comparison, with a slight elevation gain of about 200 feet. You’ll reach a T intersection and see a clear trail to the right. That will lead you to the rocky outcropping and great views!
This route is about 2 miles out-and-back with 690 feet of elevation gain.
Good to Know: Parking along Bear Mountain-Beacon Hwy is limited. You may have to walk along the road a bit to reach the trailhead.
Via Camp Smith Trail
Another way to reach Anthony’s Nose is via the Camp Smith Trail on Grand Army of the Republic Hwy. Going this route is a bit longer, but totally worth it, as you’ll encounter several beautiful views along the way.
At the small parking area, head left onto the Camp Smith Trail (blue blazes). Opposite of the trail from Bear Mountain Hwy, this hike starts off with a gradual elevation gain and then hits you with the steep grade as you get closer to the overlook.
After about a mile, you’ll see a trail to the left that branches off from the blue-blazed trail. This is the way to overlook! You might encounter a “false” summit before that, so make sure to keep going!
This route is about 2.4 miles out-and-back with about 675 feet of elevation gain.
Good to Know: There is a small parking area along Grand Army of the Republic Hwy.
The Popolopen Torne Trail (Trail of the Fallen)
| Trail Location: | On Mine Road in Highland Falls, NY. |
| Trail Length: | 1.3 miles |
| Trail Difficulty: | Hard due to the steep grades, rock scrambles, and rope usage. |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 500 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | No |
If you like a bit of a challenge along your hike, you’ll love the Popolopen Torne Trail!
This short but challenging 1.3-mile loop in Bear Mountain State Park features steep rock scrambles with ropes to assist the climb. You can take the loop clockwise, which puts most of the rope-assisted climbs early and offers a longer, gentler descent, or counterclockwise, which puts more ropes on the descent. We went clockwise, which I think was the right choice!
At the summit, there are 360° views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Anthony’s Nose. You’ll also encounter the beautiful and moving memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers and first responders.
Good to Know: Parking is limited at the small lot on Mine Road. There are no restrooms nearby. There is no fee to access this trail.
Other Great Hikes Near West Point
The Hudson River Valley, especially near West Point, has so many great hiking spots.
You can cross the river over to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve for more great trails, like the Cornish Estate Trail or Bull Hill. Or drive to Bear Mountain State Park or Harriman State Park for more great trails, especially sections of the Appalachian Trail (like the Lemon Squeezer).
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