Dunderberg Spiral Railway and Tunnels

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Jones Trail: Unblazed
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 3:00
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb, great views, historic areas
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hPpvytjCsH9oq2r79

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

It had been a while since I had been to Dunderberg. The weather was hot and humid, and with a good climb almost 1000 feet, the conditions on this hike were very difficult. We hike portions of the Dunderberg Spiral railway, a project that was never completed for a hotel that was never built on the top of the mountain. We parked at the beginning of the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail and took the trail steeply up the mountain, passing the first railway tunnel, and continuing up the incline to the view.

After the view, which faces directly to the Indian Point nuclear plant, we continued to the summit of Dunderberg, where there is a nice view facing north towards Bear Mountain and the Bear Mountain Bridge. We then continued off the trail on the railway trail, which we intended to take to the Jones Trail, but we went a bit too far and had to turn around back to the Jones Trail. We took the Jones Trail to the Timp-Torne Trail, which we took to the next tunnel and former railway path, and continued along the trail back down the mountain and down to our car. 

Map of the Route

Trailhead at Dunderberg

New Map Sign at the Trailhead

Dense Brush and Ivy

The First of the Dunderberg Railway Tunnels

First View Facing Indian Point

Second View Facing Peekskill

Third View at the Summit Facing the Bear Mountain Bridge

Large Glacial Rock Near the Summit

Partial Tunnel

Water in the Tunnel

Dense Vegetation Near the End of the Hike

Mount Tammany Loop

Delaware Water Gap,
Worthington State Forest
Warren Co, NJ

Hiking Trails:
Red Dot Trail: Red blaze
Pahaquarry Trail: Blue blaze
Blue Dot Trail: Blue blaze
Dunnfield Creek Trail: Green blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles

Pros: Excellent climb and view
Cons: Very busy area with many people
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qiStZYXzV2sfGL8P9

Mt. Tammany had been on my bucket list. I've been there in the past, but had not had a chance to do the full loop. On this trip I had the time for the full loop. One of the biggest challenges of this hike, is the limited parking on weekends as well as how busy the hike is. I was lucky to find a spot. The weather was hot and very humid, making this steep hike difficult. We parked at the Appalachian Trail Parking at the Dunnfield Creek area. I hiked to the Red Dot Trail up the steep climb to the first view.

I then continued up the ridge the main summit view, passing many people along the way. The summit was very busy but afforded a great view. I continued along the Pahaquarry Trail after the view, which was much quitter after the summit. At the intersection of the Blue Dot Trail there is another view, and I took that trail down the mountain. At the intersection with the Dunnfield Creek Trail I continued along the scenic creek, to the Appalachian Trail, and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Signs

First View

Ascending Up the Scramble

View Nearing the Summit

Summit View, Looking Towards Mt. Minsi in PA

Pahaquarry and Blue Dot Trail Quarry Intersection

View at the Pahaquarry and Blue Dot Trail Quarry Intersection

Waterfalls at Dunnfield Creek

Dunnfield Creek