Best Hikes Near Beacon NY

The Best Hikes Near Beacon, New York

There's something about standing on a summit with the Hudson River laid out below you and thinking, I walked here from my car in an hour. Beacon is like that. It's a small city with massive trails right on its doorstep, and if you're not taking advantage of that, you're missing out.

Whether you live in Beacon, you're visiting for the day, or you're coming up from the city on the Metro-North, the hiking around here is genuinely excellent. Here's what we keep going back to.

1. Mount Beacon

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip  |  Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging  |  Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft

This is the obvious one, and it earns the hype. You start right on the edge of Beacon and climb steeply through the woods to the ruins of an old casino and fire tower at the top. The views of the Hudson, the valley, and the Catskills on a clear day are legitimately beautiful. It's steep enough that your legs will know you were there, but it's short enough that most people can manage it.

We usually do this one in the morning, then walk back into town for breakfast. It's a hard combination to beat.

2. Bull Hill (Mount Taurus)

Distance: 6 miles round trip  |  Difficulty: Moderate  |  Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft

Bull Hill is right across the river from Beacon and gives you the kind of ridge walk that reminds you why people hike. It's longer and more gradual than Mount Beacon, which makes it a good choice if you want more trail time and less of a vertical slog. The summit views over the river and down to Cold Spring are fantastic.

3. Breakneck Ridge

Distance: 3–5 miles  |  Difficulty: Challenging  |  Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft

You can get here by train from Beacon (or NYC) and that alone makes it special. The scrambling at the start is legitimately intense, you're basically climbing a rock face. But the views from the top of the Hudson River and the surrounding ridge are among the best in the region. Just expect crowds on weekends. It's one of the most popular day hikes in the whole Northeast.

4. Lambs Hill

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip  |  Difficulty: Easy–Moderate  |  Elevation Gain: ~600 ft

Lambs Hill doesn't get nearly enough attention. It's a short hike with surprisingly good views of the Hudson Valley and it's far less crowded than Breakneck or Mount Beacon. If you want to get outside on a weekday, or you're bringing someone who's not super fit, this is a great call. The trail is well-marked and the payoff is real.

5. Cornish Estate Trail

Distance: 4 miles loop  |  Difficulty: Easy–Moderate  |  Elevation Gain: ~400 ft

This one has a different feel from the other hikes near Beacon. You wander through the ruins of an old Gilded Age estate, crumbling stone walls, overgrown fountains, broken columns coming out of the forest. It's equal parts eerie and fascinating. Not super strenuous, but a genuinely unique hike. Worth adding to the list.

Tips for Hiking Near Beacon

• Getting here: Metro-North runs directly to Beacon from Grand Central. You can walk or take a short Uber to most trailheads. Breakneck Ridge even has its own seasonal train stop.
• Parking: Trailhead lots fill up fast on nice weekends. Go early or take the train.
• After the hike: Beacon has great food and the Dia Beacon art museum, easy to make a full day of it.

Looking for more trails in the region? Check out our Hudson Valley hiking guide or browse all hikes in New York.