Forested Hudson Valley ridgeline hiking trail near Poughkeepsie New York with autumn foliage
72 Trails Within 100 Miles

Best Hikes Near Poughkeepsie

72 hiking trails within 100 miles of Poughkeepsie, from the Hudson Highlands' Breakneck Ridge to the Catskills' Slide Mountain and beyond

Closest: 18 miles
Drive Time: 24 min - 2 hrs
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous

Jump to Section:

⚡ Closest Trails 🥾 Easy Hikes ⛰️ Moderate Hikes 🚗 Farther Day Trips 📍 All 72 Trails

Poughkeepsie Sits at the Heart of the Hudson Valley's Real Mountains

Cross the river or head south along Route 9 and Poughkeepsie reaches the Hudson Highlands in under half an hour — Breakneck Ridge, Storm King Mountain, Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain all overlook the Hudson River within a 20-to-36-minute drive. Push northwest instead and the southern Catskills rise fast, with Slide Mountain — at 4,180 feet the highest point in the range — just 32 miles out, closer from Poughkeepsie than from any other city this site covers. Farther out, the same 100-mile radius reaches Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, Massachusetts' Berkshires and New Jersey's Kittatinny Ridge.

This guide covers all 72 trails within 100 miles of Poughkeepsie, sorted by actual distance from real trailhead coordinates — not the city center. Each trail includes:

  • ✓ Exact distance from Poughkeepsie (measured from the trailhead, not the summit)
  • ✓ Trail difficulty rating (easy, moderate, hard)
  • ✓ Elevation gain & distance
  • ✓ Parking information & fees
  • ✓ Interactive trail maps
  • ✓ Real-time weather conditions
⚡

5 Closest Trails to Poughkeepsie

Perfect for a quick morning hike

Breakneck Ridge
1,260 ft

Breakneck Ridge

0.3 mi
0.5 hrs
- ft
Hard View
24 min
Storm King Mountain
1,340 ft

Storm King Mountain

2.5 mi
1.5 hrs
892 ft
Moderate View
26 min
Anthony's Nose
900 ft

Anthony's Nose

3.4 mi
1.5 hrs
456 ft
Moderate View
35 min
Bear Mountain
1,289 ft

Bear Mountain

3.9 mi
2 hrs
1336 ft
Hard View
36 min
Overlook Mountain
3,140 ft

Overlook Mountain

3.8 mi
1.5 hrs
323 ft
Easy View
37 min
🥾

Best Easy Hikes Near Poughkeepsie

The Hudson Highlands' and lower Catskills' gentler routes, great for beginners and families

Overlook Mountain
3,140 ft

Overlook Mountain

3.8 mi
1.5 hrs
323 ft
Easy View
EASY
Bear Mountain
2,323 ft

Bear Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
115 ft
Easy View
EASY
Gridley Mountain
2,192 ft

Gridley Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
115 ft
Easy View
EASY
Titus Mountain
1,522 ft

Titus Mountain

2.3 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
EASY
Howe Mountain
1,552 ft

Howe Mountain

2.3 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
EASY
Brass Mountain
1,611 ft

Brass Mountain

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
42 ft
Easy View
EASY
Mount Everett
2,602 ft

Mount Everett

1.3 mi
0.5 hrs
105 ft
Easy View
EASY
Ivy Mountain
1,654 ft

Ivy Mountain

1.5 mi
0.5 hrs
76 ft
Easy View
EASY
⛰️

Moderate Hiking Trails

More climbing, still a manageable day trip

Storm King Mountain
1,340 ft

Storm King Mountain

2.5 mi
1.5 hrs
892 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Anthony's Nose
900 ft

Anthony's Nose

3.4 mi
1.5 hrs
456 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Round Mountain
2,280 ft

Round Mountain

3.5 mi
1.5 hrs
587 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Mount Frissell
2,451 ft

Mount Frissell

3.5 mi
1.5 hrs
587 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Sedgwick Mountain
1,624 ft

Sedgwick Mountain

4.7 mi
2 hrs
564 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Bald Peak
1,929 ft

Bald Peak

2.2 mi
1 hrs
709 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
🚗

Farther Day Trips

Worth the extra drive — Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, the Berkshires and New Jersey's Kittatinny Ridge

Copperas Mountain
1,224 ft

Copperas Mountain

9.5 mi
3.5 hrs
243 ft
Moderate View
70 min
Yokun Seat
2,116 ft

Yokun Seat

2.4 mi
1 hrs
328 ft
Easy View
73 min
Kanouse Mountain
1,184 ft

Kanouse Mountain

9.5 mi
3.5 hrs
243 ft
Moderate View
74 min
Mount Paul
1,207 ft

Mount Paul

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
265 ft
Easy View
74 min
Bowling Green Mountain
1,378 ft

Bowling Green Mountain

2.5 mi
1 hrs
164 ft
Easy View
74 min
Morris County High Point
1,394 ft

Morris County High Point

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
79 ft
Easy View
77 min
Doll Mountain
1,923 ft

Doll Mountain

2.2 mi
1 hrs
321 ft
Easy View
80 min
Mase Mountain
1,178 ft

Mase Mountain

2.5 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
80 min
📍

All 72 Trails Near Poughkeepsie

Sorted by distance from Poughkeepsie

Breakneck Ridge
1,260 ft

Breakneck Ridge

0.3 mi
0.5 hrs
- ft
Hard View
18 mi • 24 min
Storm King Mountain
1,340 ft

Storm King Mountain

2.5 mi
1.5 hrs
892 ft
Moderate View
20 mi • 26 min
Anthony's Nose
900 ft

Anthony's Nose

3.4 mi
1.5 hrs
456 ft
Moderate View
26 mi • 35 min
Bear Mountain
1,289 ft

Bear Mountain

3.9 mi
2 hrs
1336 ft
Hard View
27 mi • 36 min
Overlook Mountain
3,140 ft

Overlook Mountain

3.8 mi
1.5 hrs
323 ft
Easy View
28 mi • 37 min
Bird Peak
1,565 ft

Bird Peak

11.7 mi
4.5 hrs
1053 ft
Strenuous View
32 mi • 42 min
Mount Riga
1,752 ft

Mount Riga

11.7 mi
4.5 hrs
1053 ft
Strenuous View
32 mi • 42 min
Thorpe Mountain
1,699 ft

Thorpe Mountain

11.7 mi
4.5 hrs
1053 ft
Strenuous View
32 mi • 42 min
Slide Mountain
4,180 ft

Slide Mountain

14 mi
7.5 hrs
5281 ft
Strenuous View
32 mi • 43 min
Wittenberg Mountain
3,780 ft

Wittenberg Mountain

19.5 mi
8.5 hrs
3867 ft
Strenuous View
32 mi • 43 min
Round Mountain
2,280 ft

Round Mountain

3.5 mi
1.5 hrs
587 ft
Moderate View
33 mi • 43 min
Red Mountain
1,637 ft

Red Mountain

10.8 mi
4 hrs
600 ft
Hard View
34 mi • 45 min
Mount Frissell
2,451 ft

Mount Frissell

3.5 mi
1.5 hrs
587 ft
Moderate View
34 mi • 45 min
Sedgwick Mountain
1,624 ft

Sedgwick Mountain

4.7 mi
2 hrs
564 ft
Moderate View
34 mi • 45 min
Bear Mountain
2,323 ft

Bear Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
115 ft
Easy View
34 mi • 45 min
Gridley Mountain
2,192 ft

Gridley Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
115 ft
Easy View
34 mi • 45 min
Mohawk Mountain
1,683 ft

Mohawk Mountain

10.8 mi
4 hrs
600 ft
Hard View
34 mi • 45 min
The Pinnacle
1,647 ft

The Pinnacle

10.8 mi
4 hrs
600 ft
Hard View
34 mi • 45 min
Bald Peak
1,929 ft

Bald Peak

2.2 mi
1 hrs
709 ft
Moderate View
34 mi • 45 min
Lion's Head
1,742 ft

Lion's Head

2.2 mi
1 hrs
709 ft
Moderate View
34 mi • 45 min
Titus Mountain
1,522 ft

Titus Mountain

2.3 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
35 mi • 47 min
Alander Mountain
2,231 ft

Alander Mountain

5.4 mi
2 hrs
722 ft
Moderate View
36 mi • 47 min
Howe Mountain
1,552 ft

Howe Mountain

2.3 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
36 mi • 48 min
Mount Fray
1,903 ft

Mount Fray

4.1 mi
1.5 hrs
341 ft
Moderate View
37 mi • 50 min
Mount Race
2,372 ft

Mount Race

2.6 mi
1.5 hrs
1027 ft
Moderate View
38 mi • 50 min
Brass Mountain
1,611 ft

Brass Mountain

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
42 ft
Easy View
38 mi • 50 min
Mount Everett
2,602 ft

Mount Everett

1.3 mi
0.5 hrs
105 ft
Easy View
38 mi • 50 min
Ivy Mountain
1,654 ft

Ivy Mountain

1.5 mi
0.5 hrs
76 ft
Easy View
38 mi • 51 min
Bradford Mountain
1,916 ft

Bradford Mountain

7.3 mi
3 hrs
905 ft
Hard View
38 mi • 51 min
Hunter Mountain
4,040 ft

Hunter Mountain

5.8 mi
3 hrs
1686 ft
Hard View
39 mi • 51 min
Canaan Mountain
1,581 ft

Canaan Mountain

5.8 mi
2 hrs
121 ft
Easy View
39 mi • 52 min
Stone Man Mountain
1,732 ft

Stone Man Mountain

5.8 mi
2 hrs
121 ft
Easy View
39 mi • 52 min
Dutton Mountain
1,660 ft

Dutton Mountain

1 mi
0.5 hrs
157 ft
Easy View
41 mi • 55 min
Pine Mountain
1,588 ft

Pine Mountain

1 mi
0.5 hrs
157 ft
Easy View
41 mi • 55 min
Brown Mountain
1,637 ft

Brown Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
377 ft
Easy View
42 mi • 56 min
Haystack Mountain
1,673 ft

Haystack Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
377 ft
Easy View
42 mi • 56 min
Bald Mountain
1,768 ft

Bald Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
167 ft
Easy View
43 mi • 57 min
Bald Mountain
1,152 ft

Bald Mountain

5.5 mi
2 hrs
390 ft
Moderate View
43 mi • 57 min
Wawayanda Mountain
1,470 ft

Wawayanda Mountain

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
121 ft
Easy View
45 mi • 60 min
East Bald Mountain
1,703 ft

East Bald Mountain

10.4 mi
3.5 hrs
250 ft
Moderate View
45 mi • 60 min
High Point
1,808 ft

High Point

3.3 mi
1 hrs
295 ft
Easy View
46 mi • 61 min
Bearfort Mountain
1,460 ft

Bearfort Mountain

1.5 mi
0.5 hrs
95 ft
Easy View
47 mi • 63 min
Mount Wilcox
2,106 ft

Mount Wilcox

8.5 mi
3 hrs
492 ft
Moderate View
48 mi • 63 min
Pochuck Mountain
1,184 ft

Pochuck Mountain

1.7 mi
0.5 hrs
164 ft
Easy View
48 mi • 64 min
Copperas Mountain
1,224 ft

Copperas Mountain

9.5 mi
3.5 hrs
243 ft
Moderate View
53 mi • 70 min
Yokun Seat
2,116 ft

Yokun Seat

2.4 mi
1 hrs
328 ft
Easy View
55 mi • 73 min
Kanouse Mountain
1,184 ft

Kanouse Mountain

9.5 mi
3.5 hrs
243 ft
Moderate View
56 mi • 74 min
Mount Paul
1,207 ft

Mount Paul

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
265 ft
Easy View
56 mi • 74 min
Bowling Green Mountain
1,378 ft

Bowling Green Mountain

2.5 mi
1 hrs
164 ft
Easy View
56 mi • 74 min
Morris County High Point
1,394 ft

Morris County High Point

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
79 ft
Easy View
58 mi • 77 min
Doll Mountain
1,923 ft

Doll Mountain

2.2 mi
1 hrs
321 ft
Easy View
60 mi • 80 min
Mase Mountain
1,178 ft

Mase Mountain

2.5 mi
1 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
60 mi • 80 min
Smith Mountain
2,165 ft

Smith Mountain

0.5 mi
0.5 hrs
157 ft
Easy View
62 mi • 82 min
Pine Mountain
2,231 ft

Pine Mountain

3.9 mi
1.5 hrs
357 ft
Moderate View
63 mi • 84 min
Berry Mountain
2,192 ft

Berry Mountain

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
538 ft
Easy View
63 mi • 84 min
Honwee Mountain
2,290 ft

Honwee Mountain

3.1 mi
1.5 hrs
1011 ft
Moderate View
63 mi • 85 min
Green Pond Mountain
1,289 ft

Green Pond Mountain

12 mi
4 hrs
466 ft
Hard View
64 mi • 85 min
Rattlesnake Mountain
1,490 ft

Rattlesnake Mountain

2.9 mi
1.5 hrs
1103 ft
Moderate View
64 mi • 85 min
Widow Whites Peak
2,418 ft

Widow Whites Peak

4 mi
1.5 hrs
331 ft
Moderate View
65 mi • 87 min
Mount Arlington
1,217 ft

Mount Arlington

6.1 mi
2 hrs
364 ft
Moderate View
65 mi • 87 min
Allamuchy Mountain
1,237 ft

Allamuchy Mountain

2.1 mi
1 hrs
187 ft
Easy View
72 mi • 96 min
Saddle Ball Mountain
3,232 ft

Saddle Ball Mountain

2.7 mi
1 hrs
171 ft
Easy View
73 mi • 97 min
Mount Mohican
1,575 ft

Mount Mohican

2.2 mi
1 hrs
646 ft
Moderate View
74 mi • 98 min
Upper Pohatcong Mountain
1,230 ft

Upper Pohatcong Mountain

2.9 mi
1 hrs
207 ft
Easy View
75 mi • 100 min
Schooleys Mountain
1,194 ft

Schooleys Mountain

1.7 mi
0.5 hrs
236 ft
Easy View
76 mi • 101 min
Borden Mountain
2,497 ft

Borden Mountain

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
342 ft
Easy View
77 mi • 103 min
Jenny Jump Mountain
1,129 ft

Jenny Jump Mountain

5.4 mi
2 hrs
557 ft
Moderate View
78 mi • 103 min
County House Mountain
1,142 ft

County House Mountain

1.6 mi
0.5 hrs
184 ft
Easy View
80 mi • 107 min
Mount Tammany
1,526 ft

Mount Tammany

2.7 mi
1.5 hrs
1109 ft
Moderate View
80 mi • 107 min
Baldpate Mountain
1,165 ft

Baldpate Mountain

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
46 ft
Easy View
81 mi • 109 min
Mount No More
1,142 ft

Mount No More

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
40 ft
Easy View
85 mi • 114 min
Bakke Mountain
2,559 ft

Bakke Mountain

4 mi
1.5 hrs
302 ft
Easy View
87 mi • 116 min

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest hiking trail to Poughkeepsie?
The closest hiking trail to Poughkeepsie is Breakneck Ridge, located just 18 miles away (24 minute drive), in the Hudson Highlands just south of the city.
Are there real mountains near Poughkeepsie, NY?
Yes — Poughkeepsie sits closer to real elevation than almost anywhere else on the Hudson. The Hudson Highlands, including Breakneck Ridge, Storm King Mountain and Bear Mountain, start about 20 minutes south. The Catskills, with Slide Mountain — the range's high point at 4,180 feet — are roughly 32 miles and a 43-minute drive northwest, closer from Poughkeepsie than from any other city this site covers.
What are the best easy hikes near Poughkeepsie for beginners?
The Hudson Highlands and lower Catskills cluster closest to Poughkeepsie includes several shorter, lower-elevation routes well suited to beginners, most under 40 minutes with well-marked trails — though a few of the Highlands' most famous names, Breakneck Ridge among them, are steep scrambles rather than easy walks.
Do I need a parking pass for hiking trails near Poughkeepsie?
New York's Hudson Highlands parks — Bear Mountain State Park, Storm King and Breakneck Ridge — typically charge a parking fee, and the Breakneck Ridge lot fills early on fall weekends. Catskill Forest Preserve trailheads are generally free. Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey trailheads vary by park; check each trail's parking information page for specifics.
How far is Mount Tammany and the Delaware Water Gap from Poughkeepsie?
Mount Tammany, overlooking the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey's Kittatinny Ridge, is roughly 80 miles from Poughkeepsie — about a 107-minute drive south. It anchors the farthest day-trip tier from Poughkeepsie, alongside closer options across the state line in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills and Massachusetts' Berkshires.

Essential Tips for Hiking Near Poughkeepsie

🚗 Getting There

  • • For the Hudson Highlands, take Route 9 S or the Taconic State Parkway S
  • • For the Catskills and Slide Mountain, take Route 9G N to NY-28 W
  • • For Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, take I-84 E
  • • Download offline maps in case of poor cell service on back roads

🎒 What to Bring

  • • Water: 2+ liters per person
  • • Snacks: Trail mix, energy bars, fruit
  • • Layers: Hudson Valley and Catskill weather shifts fast at elevation
  • • First aid kit & headlamp

📅 Best Times to Visit

  • • Summer (Jun-Aug): Best weather, most crowded
  • • Fall (Sep-Oct): Peak foliage — Breakneck Ridge lots fill early
  • • Spring (Apr-May): Mud season on wooded trails
  • • Winter (Dec-Mar): Hudson Highlands stay walkable with traction; Slide Mountain and other Catskill summits need full winter gear

⚠️ Safety First

  • • Check weather forecast before leaving
  • • Tell someone your hiking plans
  • • Turn back if weather deteriorates
  • • Stay on marked trails