South Mountain

South Mountain County Park,
Mt. Ivy,
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 4.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good and mostly easy walk along ridge

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

This hike starts near the very end of the Palisades Sill, as it dips into the group and goes underground. The Palisades is a narrow diabase ridge along the western side of the Hudson River, and ridge bends west at Haverstraw going to Mt. Ivy where it abruptly ends. I parked in the small parking area off Route 45, right near the Palisades Parkway intersection, and took the Long Path up. Shortly after the small climb, a nice view north opens up above the sheer cliff of the quarry wall below.

I continued east along the Long Path, over the South Mountain summit, and then hit the next view which faces south in about a mile. Continued along the Long Path all the way to South Central Highway, which is a road that climbs the mountain as a busy and windy road. From here turned around and took the unmarked woods road, which runs parallel to the Long Path, all the way to the communications tower, and then back to the Long Path and the same way I came.

Map of the Route

Sheer Cliff Wall on the Quarry.
This is near the beginning of the hike.

View Above the Quarry Wall.
Facing North/Northeast Towards West Mountain and The Timp

View above the Quarry Wall facing Garnerville
and Cheescoate Mountain in the Distance. Facing North.

Another View Above the Quarry Wall.
Facing West Towards the Palisades and
File Factory Hollow in Harriman.

Another View of the Above, More Zoomed.

View Past the Summit, Facing South.

Another View, Facing Southeast.

Another View Facing South.

Sign at the Trailhead of Central Highway.