Just south of the southern entrance to the station, you’ll notice two stone pillars and a sign for “Arden Point – Hudson Highlands State Park.” This is the trailhead of a blue-blazed woods road which heads south. Follow this woods road, soon passing ruins of brick buildings on the right and crossing a wooden footbridge over a stream.
In about half a mile, you’ll notice on the right a one-lane steel truss bridge that goes over the railroad tracks. Turn right and cross the bridge, which leads to Arden Point. Immediately after crossing the bridge, follow the blue-blazed trail as it turns right onto a woods road that narrows to a footpath, passing through a mixed forest of deciduous trees and white pines. Continue on the blue-blazed trail past an old stone wall, bear right at a trail junction, and proceed down to the water’s edge at the northern tip of Arden Point. Here, there is a broad view north up the Hudson River, with West Point visible on the left, on the west shore, and Bull Hill of the East Hudson Highlands in the background.
After enjoying the view, retrace your steps on the blue-blazed trail to the trail junction and turn right, following the blue-blazed trail as it heads south parallel to the river. Soon, a short side trail on the right leads to a west-facing viewpoint over the Hudson River. The large red-brick building directly across the river is the Hotel Thayer at West Point. Running along the west bank of the river is the West Shore Railroad, built in 1883 between Weehawken, N.J. and Buffalo, N.Y. to compete with the New York Central, whose line followed the east bank (now operated by Metro-North).. Passenger service on the West Shore line was discontinued in 1959, but the line is now operated by CSX for freight service, and you may see a mile-long freight train snake its way along the river.
When you’re ready to continue, return to the blue-blazed trail and turn right, heading south. Near the southern tip of the point, the blue-blazed trail makes a sharp left turn. Bear right and continue ahead on a wide path to a rock outcrop at the very end of the point, which affords a panoramic south-facing view, with the Bear Mountain Bridge in the distance. The yellow brick buildings on the west side of the river are occupied by the West Point Museum and Visitor Center, established in 1989 on the site of the former Ladycliff College.
After taking some time to enjoy this view, retrace your steps up the hill to the blue-blazed trail and bear right, now heading north on the trail, which ends at the bridge over the tracks. Bear right, recross the bridge, and turn right (south) onto the white-blazed Marcia’s Mile, which follows a woods road, bordered for part of the way by low stone walls. When the white-blazed Marcia's Loop turns left, continue ahead on the woods road, now following the red-blazed Glenclyffe Loop.
In about a quarter of a mile, you’ll reach a junction, marked by a wooden sign on the left. Follow the red-blazed Glenclyffe Loop as it turns right and heads uphill on stone steps. Just ahead, you’ll reach a large gazebo, with a view over the river.
The trail passes to the left of the gazebo and heads south, parallel to the river. The large brick building on the left was built in the 1920s as a friary by the Capuchin Franciscan order and was acquired in 2001 by the Open Space Institute, which has preserved the property as publicly-accessible open space. This building has been conveyed to the Garrison Institute, which operates it as a spiritual retreat center (the buildings on the Glenclyffe property are not open to hikers). The trail passes to the left of a stone patio with tree stumps overlooking the river, descends concrete steps, and bears right to reenter the woods.
After crossing a rock outcrop, the trail turns left and makes a short, rocky descent to a road, where it turns right. After passing a water treatment facility on the left, it bears right at a bamboo thicket. (The red brick building on the left, built in the 1860s, was once the home of Hamilton Fish, governor of New York.)
Soon, the red-blazed trail comes out at the top of a ravine. It bears right and descends into the ravine, then bears left and continues to parallel the river. In a short distance, the trail turns sharply left and descends into a ravine, where it begins to follow an old woods road. Known as the Beverly Dock Road, this road was used by Benedict Arnold to flee. The trail crosses a stream on a large metal culvert and climbs gently, with the stream on the left. After bearing right at a small dam and bamboo thicket, the trail passes to the right of a small pond (largely obscured by the bamboo thicket). Near the end of the pond, a kiosk relates the story of the escape of Benedict Arnold along this road during the Revolutionary War.
Just beyond, the trail turns left, recrossing the stream on another culvert and passing a cinder-block building. It immediately turns right, passing to the left of a second pond. As the trail approaches Route 9D, it bears left, climbs a rise and emerges onto a broad grassy expanse. The trail follows a line of trees parallel to the road, with Castle Rock visible on the hilltop to the east.
At a sign for the Garrison Institute, turn left onto the paved entrance road. Just beyond a large trail map, bear right onto the white-blazed Marcia’s Mile. Follow the white blazes down a grassy knoll and along a woods road, passing a small pond on the right. The trail bears right and crosses a meadow, then reenters the woods and passes a concrete foundation on the left. After turning left at a T-intersection, it bears right at a fork and descends on a footpath.
At the base of the descent, turn right onto the woods road on which you began the hike earlier, still following the white blazes of Marcia’s Mile. When you reach the bridge over the railroad (do not cross it), continue ahead on the blue-blazed woods road which leads back to the Garrison railroad station, where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 05/05/2006 updated/verified on 04/23/2023
This hike passes several panoramic viewpoints over the Hudson River and follows an historic road used by Benedict Arnold to escape during the Revolutionary War.
Just south of the southern entrance to the station, you’ll notice two stone pillars and a sign for “Arden Point – Hudson Highlands State Park.” This is the trailhead of a blue-blazed woods road which heads south. Follow this woods road, soon passing ruins of brick buildings on the right and crossing a wooden footbridge over a stream.
In about half a...
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.
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.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. 9D for 4.5 miles to an intersection with N.Y. 403. Turn left at this intersection onto Lower Station Road and follow it downhill to the Metro-North railroad station. Park in the station parking lot (parking is free on weekends; there is a fee on weekdays).
Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to the Garrison station.
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