Bergen Co.
New Jersey
Hiking Trails:
Shore Trail: White blaze
Huyler's Landing Trail: Red blaze
Long Path: Green blaze
Closter Dock Trail: Orange blaze
Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Pros: Peaceful walk along river and good view
Cons: Urban views and noise from highway
I had been to the Palisades a few weeks prior, and decided to continue doing some additional stretches of the Long Path and Shore Trail that I had not yet done. The area features dramatic diabase cliffs along the side of the Hudson River, with a pleasant walk alongside the river on the bottom, and nice views above the cliffs on top.
It was a cold December day, and I needed full winter gear. I parked at the Alpine Boat Basin down at the bottom of the Palisades, and went on the Shore Path southward along the side of the river towards Huylers Landing. Across the river was an urban view of the waterfront and downtown of Yonkers, population roughly 200,000.
At Huylers Landing, I went on the old jetty that goes into the river to get some better views, and then took the Huylers Landing Trail up the cliffs. The trail is steep, but is relatively easy and not quite as strenuous as I thought it would be. At the top of the Huylers Landing Trail, I took the Long Path north parallel to the Palisades Parkway. This part of the hike is very loud from the constant cars in proximity on the highway. The trail goes to the Alpine Lookout, which also affords excellent views from the top of the cliff towards Yonkers. Approaching the Alpine lookout, there is a smaller lookout right off the trail extending over a columnar rock face in the cliff (surrounded by a fence) with a very good view of the structure of the cliffs.
I continued along the Long Path, past the Alpine view, past an old stone ruin, and then eventually to the Closter Dock Trail. I took the Closter Dock Trail down the mountain, to the Shore Trail right before the Alpine Boat Basin and then back towards my car.
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