13 places to go hiking in New York City

13 Top Hiking Spots in New York City

Forget the rental car or Metro-North trip; all you need to explore New York City’s hiking trails is a subway or bus fare. With over 30,000 acres of parkland, NYC offers a wealth of nature trails spread across its five boroughs. From the expansive Staten Island Greenbelt to the diverse forests of Van Cortlandt Park and the salt marshes of Marine Park Preserve, New Yorkers can easily access the great outdoors. Here are some of the best trails to hike in each borough:

The Bronx

Bronx River Greenway

Spanning 23 miles along the Bronx River from the Bronx to Westchester County, this greenway includes eight miles in the Bronx, featuring parks like Soundview Park, Concrete Plant Park, and Hunts Point Riverside Park. The path also passes the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.

Bronx River Forest 

One of the city’s oldest forests, located in Bronx Park, features two trails about a mile long. Restored to its natural state, the forest is home to native species and notable spots like Burke Bridge and River Lookout.

Cass Gallagher Nature Trail

This moderate, 1.4-mile trail in the northwest part of Van Cortlandt Park takes hikers through diverse ecosystems and natural features, offering a scenic loop through the Northwest Forest.

John Muir Trail  

Also in Van Cortlandt Park, this 1.5-mile trail is the only one that crosses the park from east to west, connecting with the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.

Kazimiroff Trail 

Located on Hunter Island within Pelham Bay Park, this trail offers two forested paths around the island, showcasing tidal wetlands, woodlands, and the largest continuous oak forest in the park.

Brooklyn

Prospect Park 

Home to Brooklyn’s only natural forest, the Ravine, Prospect Park features several trails, including the 0.75-mile Midwood Trail through the borough’s oldest forest and the Waterfall Trail following Fallkill Falls.

Salt Marsh Nature Trail

Brooklyn’s largest park, Marine Park Preserve, offers trails through salt marshes and grasslands around Gerritsen Creek. The trails feature scenic lookouts like White Island Lookout and Mudflat Lookout.

Queens

Forest Park 

This 543-acre park, the third largest in Queens, features three hiking trails, including the Blue Trail (1.7 miles), Orange Trail (2.4 miles), and Yellow Trail (1 mile), with notable stops like Pine Grove and Strack Pond.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Managed by the National Park Service, this refuge near JFK Airport offers trails around West Pond and East Pond, featuring freshwater ponds, salt marshes, and diverse bird species.

Alley Pond Park 

This 635-acre park east of Flushing boasts meadows, ponds, forests, and marshes with several trails, including the 2.2-mile Yellow and White Trails and the Tulip Tree Trail, home to the 133-foot Alley Pond Giant.

Manhattan

Inwood Hill Park

This park is home to Manhattan’s last natural forest, featuring three trails: the 1.7-mile Blue Trail, the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, and the beginner-friendly White Trail.

Staten Island

The Greenbelt  

With nearly 3,000 acres, the Greenbelt offers trails for all skill levels, including the 12.3-mile Blue Trail, 7.6-mile White Trail, 4-mile Red Trail, 8-mile Yellow Trail, the beginner-friendly Nature Center Trail, and the 2.6-mile Multipurpose Trail.

Clove Lakes Park

This 193-acre park in West Brighton features a 2-mile trail around Clove Lake and Martling Lake, and is home to a 300-year-old tulip tree.