Johnstown Road to Big Hill

Harriman State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Johnstown Road Connector Trail: Unblazed
Long Path: Green blaze
Old Turnpike: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Big Hill View 
Pros: Very remote area of park, nice view
Cons: Hike likes thrill

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

Big Hill is a nice view with a good climb, and a shelter on top. I have been here before but never taken this route nor this short stretch of the Long Path. I parked on Johnstown Road about 500 feet from the old Cemetery, and took the short Connector Trail which connects to the Long Path. I then took the Long Path until Big Hill, where it climbs up the Mountain. The Long Path route up Big Hill is much less exciting and not as dramatic as the other route up where the trail is combined with the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. I came down that Route, and then went along the Old Turnpike, which follows closely parallel to to the Long Path, and then at the intersection with the Camp Road took the Long Path back to the Connector Trail and back to my car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park Southern Map

Large Wooden Bridge Across Swamp Outlet on the Long Path

Looking Into the Swamp From the Bridge

The Other Side of the Bridge

Shelter Atop Big Hill

View from Big Hill.
Facing East Towards Horse Chock Mountain

View from Big Hill, Facing Southeast.
The NYC Skyline was Faintly Visible in the Distance.

Confluence of the Long Path And Suffern-Bear Mnt Trail Atop Big Hill

Jackie Jones Tower in View While Ascending Big Hill