Long Path
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Destination Overview:
The Long Path is a long-distance hiking trail that extends for more than 350 miles from New York City to the Capital Region near Albany, New York.
Park Description:
The Long Path begins at the 175th Street subway station in New York City and heads over the George Washington Bridge to the New Jersey Section of the Palisades Interstate Park. From there, the aqua-blazed trail weaves north for more than 350 miles through forests, up over mountain ridges and into the Catskills, passing farms and meadows. The blazed trail currently ends at John Boyd Thacher State Park outside of Albany, New York. With so many sections to choose from, the Long Path is popular for everything from a short walk in the woods to day hikes, trail runs, and backpacking trips.
This historic trail dates back to the 1930s, when Vincent Schafer conceived of a "Long Brown Path" that would extend from New York City all the way to the Adirondacks. Today, the Long Path connects a long list of public lands and shares part of its route with the popular Shawangunk Ridge Trail. It invites millions of people living in and near the nation’s largest city to experience four seasons worth of wilderness on one of America’s oldest trails.
Hikers who complete all 358 miles of the Long Path -- either in one long hike or in sections over time -- are known as "end-to-enders." The Trail Conference awards a certificate and patch to hikers who earn this honor.
Also see Long Path Region overview, Long Path Guide and Backpacking the Long Path for additional resources
Know Before You Go
- The Long Path is marked with 2" x 4" aqua paint blazes. Some junctions and other significant locations are also marked with circular Long Path marker discs.
- Exceptions to this marking exist in the Catskill Park and along the Shawangunk Ridge. Some sections of the Long Path in these areas follow existing Forest Preserve trails marked with blue, red, or yellow plastic disks.
- Wear athletic shoes (sneakers) or hiking boots. No sandals.
- The Long Path includes some steep and rocky sections, but a majority of its 358 miles is moderate hiking.
- Use a map to plan your hike.
- Bring the essentials, including water, sunscreen, snacks, and a hat.
Alert details:
The Long Path is a long-distance hiking trail that extends for more than 350 miles from New York City to the Capital Region near Albany, New York.
The Long Path begins at the 175th Street subway station in New York City and heads over the George Washington Bridge to the New Jersey Section of the Palisades Interstate Park. From there, the aqua-blazed trail weaves north for more than 350 miles through forests, up over mountain ridges and into the Catskills, passing farms and meadows. The blazed trail currently ends at John Boyd Thacher...
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
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April 20, 2024
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