The 5 Best Hikes in New York City, Ranked by a Local Who Walks 50 Miles a Week.

Manhattan wears many hats, including that of a hiker’s paradise. It’s not every day that you can find hiking trails in a bustling city. But as it turns out, New York City is more than just a concrete jungle. Not only can you find hikes close to NYC, but you can also find plenty of wilderness trails directly within  the city. You just have to know where to look. 

So, for fellow walkers who occasionally need to trade in the manic, pavement-pounding energy of the city for a breath of fresh, wilderness air, I’ve rounded up my 5 favorite hiking trails in NYC.

1. The Ramble

Deep in the heart of Central Park is a wood called the Ramble. Modeled after upstate New York, this hiking excursion helps walkers feel fully immersed in wilderness. If the city bikes and hot dog carts are cramping your style, you can simply disappear into the woods.

To get there, I enter the park around 77th Street and Central Park West, and walk deeper east into the park. I’ll keep walking straight until I see the Lake, which is the big watercourse with row boats sailing across, and the woods will be to the north of the water.

As you wander through, you’ll be welcomed in by a small bridge over the Lake, followed by plenty of ups and downs, forks in the road, secret vistas, beautiful foliage, and anything you’d expect from a nature preserve rather than a city park. The Ramble has an incredible ability to keep you guessing which direction you’re walking in without ever making you feel lost.

You’ll also stumble upon many resting points along the Lake. Across the water, you’ll get a glimpse of the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, and Bow Bridge, which are classic Central Park gems. You can turtle-spot from various embankments, and admire the boaters rowing by. The Ramble is also the best spot for bird-watching in the park, so bring your binoculars!

Check out more about the Ramble here!

2. Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon is an underrated park in the NYC repertoire as it welcomes walkers with completely tranquil, wilderness energy. It’s a hike to get up there, but the actual  hiking makes the trip well worth it. 

Fort Tryon Park is located in upper Manhattan, around 190th Street and Cabrini Boulevard, and spans 8 miles. For a garden experience, take the 1 Train on the subway all the way to 191st Street Station, and then take the elevators up from the station. You’ll be escorted directly to the gardens. You can also get off at 191st Street, exit through the doors, and the park will practically be right next to the station to the left.

Once you enter the park, it’s up to you which path to take. If you choose to take the elevators up, you can head for Heather Garden, the city’s largest garden, with 500 types of trees and plants. If you entered the park from the street, you can keep going up until you reach the viewpoint overlooking the Hudson River for one of the best hiking trails NYC has up its sleeve. This is a park that’s perfect for people and  their furry companions, as Fort Tryon Park is home to the city’s largest dog run.

What sets Fort Tryon apart from other city parks is the privacy it offers. You’ll always see other people in New York, but you won’t feel corralled like cattle in Fort Tryon if you find the right secluded trails. When I’ve visited the park by myself, it often feels a little bit eerie and empty. If you’re hiking alone, I suggest coming during a time when people are out and about, like mid-morning and on weekends. You’ll feel safer in their company without it being too crowded.

Stay tuned for a deep dive into Fort Tryon Park, including the incredible museum within its grounds and Heather Garden. Sign up for the NYC On Foot  email list to be the first to read all about Fort Tryon Park, and more!

3. The North Woods

Way up in the height of Central Park, the North Woods is as close as Manhattan gets to an upstate hike without leaving the island. Winding dirt paths, rustic bridges, and the gentle rush of the Loch make this section of the park feel worlds away from the bike and pedestrian-clogged paths further south. It’s almost suspicious how serene this section of the park feels, considering the public pool is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

The North Woods was designed to mimic a wild forest, and after exploring the trails, you’ll find that it’s a job well done. You can follow the watercourse up toward Huddlestone Arch, a 19th-century stone bridge that sits proudly next to a small waterfall. In fact, you’ll find a few different waterfalls the farther deep you trek. 

The North Woods is one of the rare hiking trails NYC provides where you can walk for minutes at a time without seeing another person. That said, the paths feel completely safe to explore during the day time. 

One of the best sections of the North Woods is the Ravine and Loch, which feature a small creek, ample viewpoints, and bird watching up the wazoo.

4. Inwood Hill Park

An even wilder neighbor to Fort Tryon, Inwood Hill Park is Manhattan’s last remaining primeval forest, meaning it’s been virtually untouched by humans and their sticky, industrious fingers. So, you know you’re getting an authentic experience in one of the best hikes in New York. 

Getting here is as easy as a leisurely subway ride. Just hop off the A train at 207th Street and walk west. You’ll notice how instantly quiet things become. This is as far up as you can go in Manhattan, and in my opinion, the grid goes out in style.

In this amazing park, you’ll find towering oak trees, glacial rock formations, and unmatched waterfront views. You’ll wander through a tangle of paths that were once carved by the Lenape people, an indigenous tribe, giving visitors a glimpse into the park’s extensive history.

Inwood Hill Park overlooks Spuyten Duyvil—Latin for Spitting Devil—the waterway that separates Manhattan from the Bronx. You can train-spot as the Metro North line bustles along the palisades across the water.

Unlike more manicured parks, Inwood Hill doesn’t hide the messiness of nature. You’ll notice roots twisted across the paths and leaves crunching underfoot. I’d recommend coming here in the daytime when others are also visiting the park due to how large and unkempt the woods are. Though I don’t feel inherently unsafe in this park, it’s always best to be alert when walking in the woods alone.

5. The Hallet Nature Sanctuary

It’s short but sweet. The Hallet Nature Sanctuary is a lesser-known Central Park gem that takes walkers through a small wilderness stint, packed with birds, squirrels, and vibrant foliage to give you that burst of nature.

You’ll find Hallet at the south end of the park, right in the center next to the Pond. Enter through the wicker gates to find yourself lost in a vat of trees and dirt paths. You’ll come across plenty of viewpoints overlooking the Pond as well as the buildings on 59th Street. 

This little hiking trail is perfect if you’re looking for a small dose of nature without dedicating multiple hours to exploring the grounds.