This is a fun trail!
We had plans to visit the Lower Hudson Valley for a day, and in researching trails, I saw a photo of hikers using ropes to climb up rock slabs, and I immediately knew this was a trail the whole family would enjoy.
The Popolopen Torne Trail (Trail of the Fallen) is a challenging 1.3-mile loop in Bear Mountain State Park. It features several ropes along the trail, giving hikers a bit of assistance to get up the steep rock slabs and scrambles. And the views at the top can’t be beat! You’ll get 360° views of the region, including the picturesque Bear Mountain Bridge with Anthony’s Nose in the background.
If you are like us and enjoy a good rock scramble on your hike, then you’ll want to do this trail!
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Trail of the Fallen
The memorial at the top of the Popolopen Torne was completed as an Eagle Scout Project by Grant Nawoichyk of Troop 23 in June of 2014. Grant’s project formalized the memorial, which had been in place but was not formally recognized. The project required formal approval from the Palisades Park Commission.
His project also included building a new trail sign and clearly marking the trail. He and his volunteers also placed two 400-pound marble benches at the site of the memorial. The benches honor two fallen West Point Graduates and service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, which makes it a great trail for anyone attending West Point.
Should You Do This Trail Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise?
This trail starts and ends on Mine Road, but about a tenth of a mile apart. You can go either clockwise or counterclockwise on the trail. We chose to do clockwise based on recommendations from other hikers, and I am happy with that decision.
Going clockwise: You’ll encounter five ropes during your ascent, and you’ll reach the summit after about 1/3-mile. It’s a longer hike back to the car from the top compared to going counterclockwise, but you’ll only have to descend on two ropes. The start of the trail is about a 1/10-mile west of the trail sign on Mine Road. It was marked by an orange traffic cone.
Going counterclockwise: It’s about 2/3 miles to the summit, and you’ll only have to ascend using two ropes. However, there will be five ropes on the descent.
What to Know Before You Hike the Popolopen Torne Trail
Location
The Popolopen Torne Trail is located within the boundaries of Bear Mountain State Park at 288-404 Mine Road. Although it is part of the park, there is no admission fee for this area.
Parking
Right across from the trailhead, there is a small parking area that probably holds about 6 cars. When we arrived the parking area was full, but some cars were parked along the road next to the trail sign, so we parked there too. We didn’t see any “No Parking” signs, and we didn’t get a ticket, but I would still park here at your own risk.
Amenities
There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. There is a Mobil gas station with a food mart on 9W, about a 6-minute drive away from the trailhead. Or you could enter Bear Mountain State Park and use the restrooms there.
Cellular Service
We had cellular service along the trail, but it wasn’t strong.
Pets
I would not consider this a pet-friendly trail unless they are used to steep rock scrambles. Leave your pooch at home for this one!
Winter Hiking
If you choose to hike this trail in the winter, please wear crampons or ice spikes. This trail is very steep, and with the flat rock slabs, it’ll be very slick with ice or snow.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember, as you visit this park, to respect nature. 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.
Hike the Popolopen Torne Trail
| 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 |
Trailhead
We chose to do this trail clockwise, and I think we made the right choice.
We parked at the trail sign and walked about 1/10 mile up Mine Road to the other end of the trail. Someone kindly marked the entrance with an orange traffic cone, or we might have walked right by it! You’ll see some stone steps that are marked with teal-blue blazes.
Alternative option: As we were descending the trail and almost at the end, we saw a sign pointing to a connector trail. I’m not sure if this is a legitamate connector, as it was not blazed. But if you don’t want to walk up the road, you can start at the trail sign and then take the connector trail to the other side.
Steep Start
At the beginning of the trail, you are almost immediately thrown into a 20-25% grade trail. There are some small switchbacks to ease the steepness, but you’ll still feel it!
The Ropes
When you do the Popolopen Torne Trail clockwise, you’ll use five ropes to help you get to the summit. And it doesn’t take too long to reach them!
You don’t necessarily have to use the ropes. There were some instances when my kids (teenagers) forwent the ropes and just scrambled up the rocks. But I used every single one!
Enjoy the Views
Another reason I was glad we chose to do the trail clockwise was the views! There were a few spots along the way that gave a reason to stop and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Anthony’s Nose in the distance.
At the summit, there are 360° views of the region. It’s absolutely breathtaking and totally worth the effort to the top!
Memorial for the Fallen
At the summit, you’ll find the memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers and first responders. It was moving to see the large rocks and stones, knowing how difficult it must have been to get them there. We took a moment to pay our respects before continuing.
Coming Back Down
The trail coming back down is longer than coming up, as the memorial and summit are only about one-third of the way through the trail, if you go clockwise. It’s a nice walk, although you will encounter two more ropes as you make your way down.
There are also steep sections this way, but we were still happy with our choice to go clockwise.
Other Trails Nearby
There are so many great trails in the Lower Hudson Valley. Most of them give some great views of the Hudson River. One of the more popular trails is Anthony’s Nose. There are a few different ways you can reach that overlook.
Bear Mountain State Park has tons of hiking trails. Keep in mind that it is a $10 fee per car to enter the park. We were only visiting for the day, so we hiked at Storm King State Park in the morning, doing the Butter Hill to Highlands/Stillman to Bypass trails loop.
Popolopen Torne Trail Wrap-Up
This was a fun trail! Even though it’s just over a mile, the steep grade and ropes get your heart rate up. And the views at the top really can’t be beat! The scrambling reminded me a bit of the Lehigh Gap East Loop on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. Though this one might be even more fun!
A casual hiker might not enjoy this trail, but if you like four-point scrambles that come with good views, you’ll love this trail!
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