Breakneck Ridge- The Eeriest Hike In New York

New York’s Hudson Highlands are known for many impressive hikes, but the most popular is Breakneck Ridge. Despite being the hardest hike in New York’s Hudson Highlands, Breakneck Ridge is climbed by thousands of people every year. 

The main draw to the location is its challenging nature and incredible scenery. However, before tackling Breakneck Ridge, you have to be fully prepared, knowing exactly what to expect. So much so, that we have put together a short guide to help you out.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know including where the hike starts, how to traverse the ridge safely, and what you can expect to see.

If you’re planning to visit Breakneck Ridge Trail, make sure you read this guide carefully first, so you can have fun while staying safe.

A Brief Description

Hike Distance: 3 miles

Type of Route: Loop

Ascent Total: 1,300 ft

Includes: Rock Scrambles, Road Walk, Blazed Trails 

Difficulty: Very hard

Parent: Breakneck Ridge

This super sketchy, yet incredibly scenic hike is the hardest you will find in New York’s Hudson Highlands.

Hikers are faced with a tough climb up to the top of Breakneck Ridge’s wide, open rock face. This rock face is steep, uneven, quite scary, and of course very entertaining.

The hike at Breakneck Ridge is so tough that hikers will have to use their hands to clamber up the ridge as well as their feet. If you’re not in great physical shape, DO NOT attempt the climb. 

Starting at sea level, you will have a climb of 1,100 feet almost immediately. You will do this in just ¾ of a mile. This sharp incline makes the hiking trail the steepest in the whole of The Catskills.

Getting To Breakneck Ridge

Before you even start your climb to the top of Breakneck Ridge, you’re going to need a way to get there. Below you’ll find the most common ways hikers make their way to the hike.

By Car

It won’t surprise you that arriving by car is the most popular mode of transport people take to get to Breakneck Ridge. Despite this being the case, parking is actually quite difficult.

Due to the lack of parking facilities, hikers usually park their vehicles along the 9D. With this in mind, you should arrive as early as possible.

By Uber

Thankfully, Beacon isn’t too far away from Breakneck Ridge, so you can easily call yourself an Uber to get to and from the hike. The journey from here shouldn’t be too expensive either.

On Foot

When the hike is really busy, particularly in the summer and at weekends, you might be best walking to the trailhead. A walk from Cold Spring that sits on 9D is only about 2 miles long.

By Train

Finally, you can get to Breakneck Ridge by train. To do so, you should first take the Metro-North’s Hudson Line to Breakneck Ridge’s stop from Grand Central.

You will then need to find your way south. After approximately 0.5 miles you should reach the trailhead.

It is worth noting that trains only stop here at the weekend and during the holidays. The paths to the ridge are also quite uneven so be careful.

Safety Warning

Before we talk you through the trek, we have to warn you that the hike up to the top of Breakneck Ridge is very intense. It will require a lot of energy and effort. For this reason, only individuals that are very fit should attempt the climb.

Average people will find it very difficult, almost exhausting to complete the hike. 

It is also crucially important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. For starters, you need a pair of hiking shoes with an excellent grip. You might also want a pair of climbing gloves for when it’s time to scramble.

Finally, you should NEVER attempt this hike when it is raining, just after the rain, or in the winter. There are way too many spots on the ridge where you could potentially slip. Any slip could potentially cause fatal injury. 

Hitting The Breakneck Ridge Hiking Trail

You’ll find the trailhead for this hike between the train tracks that sit alongside the Hudson River and Route 9D. When you reach the trailhead, we strongly advise reading the information boards and signposts before starting the walk.

They will give you more information relating to what lies ahead as well as an emergency contact number.

When you’ve done that, you can start the hike. Pass between the signposts and the shed to get started. The first part of the hike is quite easy. Simply follow the white arrows. 

First Viewpoint

Just 300 feet into the hike, you’ll come across an opening on the right-hand side of the trail.  If you head down that opening, you’ll find an unofficial path that takes you to a cracking view of Storm King Mountain on the other side of the Hudson.

The Climb

Shortly after the first view, your climb begins. Again follow the white arrows to find your way up. The trail does split quite a lot here, with signposts giving you a number of different options.

This can get confusing, so it might be a good idea to use a navigational app to keep track of where you’re going.

No matter which route you take, this ¾ mile-long section of the trail is the hardest. You will have to concentrate as you scramble up to the top. 

The higher sections of the trail will require a lot of courage and care. At points, you might find a trail option to the left and right offering something a little easier. From our experience, the paths on the left are easier.

Scary Ledge When You Reach 400 Feet

Even the bravest of hikers will feel a little nervous when they reach this sheer drop. Making your way across the ledge is pretty scary. You’ll find that the rock face is angled down towards route 9D. The footing can also be very tricky. 

At this point in the walk, you will really need to take your time and stay relaxed. You might even want to use your hands to keep a firmer grip on the rock face.

Resting Place

About 100 feet past the ledge is a pleasant resting spot. Here you can take time to settle your nerves and take in the first impressive view of the hike.

Across the water, you should be able to see traces of Route 218 on Storm King Mountain. To the north, you’ll be able to see Pollepel Island and Bennerman’s Castle sitting on the Hudson River.

Continue The Climb

Now the hardest part of your hike is behind you, you can start to relax a little more. However, you still need to keep your wits about you as the next sections can take a bit of figuring out. 

With amazing views throughout, you will have slippy rocks and boulders to contend with. Along the way, there is another small ledge that offers some fantastic views.

Quarry Face

The next thing to look out for along the trail is the Quarry Face. This large cliff face stands tall above small buildings below.

Those with good eyesight might be able to spot the old Cornish Estate ruins in the distance. There are also some great views of Mount Taurus and Bull Hill.

Turn Around?

A lot of hikers decide to turn around here as they feel like they have seen enough. If you’re feeling too tired to continue, this spot could be the best place for you to turn around. 

The High Point

After the quarry face, you’ll encounter a few small declines before then coming across the final incline. You will reach the top of the ridge in just 10 minutes from this point.

From the top, you’ll be greeted with unparalleled 360° views of the surrounding landscape.

Descend

It’s now time to start your descent. Again, follow the white arrows to find your way. Eventually, you will come across a red-arrowed bypass trail which will take you downhill to the left. 

This descent is incredibly easy.

After a while of easy walking, you’ll meet a red and yellow junction, to head back to 9D, turn left and walk for a further 10 minutes or so until you reach your starting point again. 

Final Thoughts

That’s it! That is everything you need to know in order to conquer the Breakneck Ridge. While the climb is tough and physically demanding, the views along the route and from the top are well worth the pain and nervousness 

Now you have this guide at your fingertips, carefully plan and prepare for your hike, ensuring you’re ready for anything. By preparing properly, you’ll have an amazing time and stay completely safe. Good luck!

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