The Long Path is New York's homegrown long-distance trail, a 357-mile aqua-blazed route running from the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany. It carries far less traffic than the Appalachian Trail; fewer than 150 people have completed the entire route since its inception. The terrain covers an unusual range, from urban parks and Hudson River salt marshes at sea level to rugged Catskill summits above 4,000 feet with boreal forest. The route includes some road walking and takes careful planning around varying regulations, but in exchange backpackers get solitude, hard climbs, and some of the best mountain scenery in the Northeast. The strongest stretch is the 89-mile Catskills section, which climbs 11 high peaks with roughly 25,000 feet of elevation gain. Most thru-hikers finish in 25-30 days.
No permits are required for hiking or camping on the Long Path, but regulations vary significantly by land type:
Catskill Forest Preserve (DEC lands): Camp at least 150 feet from any trail, road, or water source and below 3,500 feet elevation. Groups of 10+ or stays longer than 3 days require a permit; call 518-897-1300 for the local ranger contact. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Bear canisters are recommended but not required.
Harriman State Park: Dispersed camping is allowed only for Long Path or AT thru-hikers within 100 yards of designated lean-tos. Everyone else must use established campgrounds or obtain a permit for Cheesecote Park.
Shawangunks (DEC parcels): The same rules as the Catskills apply: 150 feet from trail, water, or road, and below 3,500 feet.
Private property and some park sections: No camping allowed, which means occasional nights in towns, campgrounds, or motels. Plan ahead with current maps from the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
The 2025 Vernooy Kill Falls trail improvement project is rerouting 8 miles off roadway for safety, so check for recent updates.
April through early October has the most reliable conditions, with clear trade-offs by month:
Spring (April-May): The best water availability of the year, with creeks and springs flowing reliably. Wildflowers bloom at lower elevations. Temperatures are cool (50s-70s F), which suits the steep climbs. Expect mud, especially in the Catskills. Blackflies and early mosquitoes emerge by late May. Snow typically clears from the high peaks by late April.
Early Summer (June-July): Pleasant temperatures before the summer heat peaks, and long days for hiking. Water sources begin declining by July. Blackflies, mosquitoes, and ticks are at their worst. The 23-mile roadless Phoenicia-to-Platte Clove section can be hot.
Late Summer (August-September): Reduced precipitation makes water scarce; springs marked on maps may be trickling or dry. Cooler nights return by September, and bugs taper off, though tick risk continues. Visibility from the high peaks is excellent.
Fall (October-early November): Peak foliage usually arrives the second week of October, when the views from Catskill summits are at their best. Hiking weather is cool and comfortable, but water remains scarce. Snow can hit high elevations by late October. This is the most popular season for day hikers, so expect crowds on weekends.
Winter: Possible but hard. Deep snow sits above 3,000 feet, microspikes or snowshoes are essential, and many water sources freeze. Very few attempt winter thru-hikes; the first was completed in 2024.
Avoid July if you can, given the heat, humidity, and bugs. Late September has the best balance of comfortable temperatures, few bugs, and adequate water if there has been recent rain.
Water is the Long Path's biggest logistical challenge. Unlike on the AT, sources are far apart in many sections, especially during summer and fall.
Water reliability: Springs marked on NY-NJ Trail Conference maps generally run year-round, but flow drops sharply by late summer. The Catskills can become surprisingly dry despite being NYC's watershed. Plan to carry 2-3 liters between sources; even reliable Catskill springs may barely trickle in high summer. The Esopus Creek in Phoenicia is a major dependable source, and the lower elevation sections near the Hudson have better access. Filter or treat all water.
Resupply strategy: Towns are plentiful in the southern sections but sparse heading north. Key resupply points:
The northern sections take more planning, with carries up to 5-6 days. There is no established mail drop system like on the AT; use USPS General Delivery to post offices. Most backpackers carry 4-5 days of food in the Catskills and less in the southern sections, where road crossings are frequent.
Terrain difficulty: The Catskills are legitimately strenuous, with steep, rocky ascents and descents; some sections gain 2,600 feet in 4 miles, and the Route 23 to Huntersfield Road section crosses 8 mountains in 15 miles. Scrambles over rock slabs and ledges are common, and the tread is often rooty and rocky. This is significantly harder than the Mid-Atlantic AT.
Navigation: The trail is marked with aqua (light blue-green) blazes, but marking quality varies. In Catskill Park, the Long Path follows existing Forest Preserve trails marked with blue, red, or yellow disks, which can confuse things at junctions. Some sections are poorly blazed; hikers report half-mile stretches without a marker. GPS or detailed maps from the NY-NJ Trail Conference are essential, and offline maps are worth downloading. Blazing in the northern sections near Albany is spotty.
Wildlife: Black bears are common throughout, especially in the Catskills, which have the highest bear density in New York State; the Kaaterskill Mountain Range has the state's peak concentration. Store food properly in bear bags or canisters (recommended but not required). Timber rattlesnakes live in rocky areas, particularly in the Hudson Highlands (Bear Mountain, Breakneck Ridge) and parts of the Catskills. They are protected and generally non-aggressive but warrant attention April-October when active. Watch where you place your hands on rock scrambles; sturdy boots and long pants provide good protection.
Ticks: Blacklegged ticks carrying Lyme disease are abundant April-November, with nymphs most active April-July. Treat clothing with permethrin and do thorough tick checks daily. The trail passes through areas with high Lyme disease prevalence.
Exposure: Several high peaks (Peekamoose, Table, Hunter, Plateau) have exposed summits vulnerable to lightning and high winds. Weather changes fast at elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. The 23-mile roadless section from Phoenicia to Platte Clove has no bailout options.
Trail maintenance: This is a volunteer-maintained trail with far less traffic than the AT, so expect blowdowns, overgrown sections, and occasionally indistinct tread. The Long Distance Trails Crew does excellent work but cannot cover 357 miles constantly.
The Long Path's urban start makes access unusually easy:
Southern terminus (NYC): 175th Street subway station in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood (A train). Walk west toward the George Washington Bridge to find the first aqua blazes. No other long trail has public transportation access like this.
Northern terminus: John Boyd Thacher State Park near Voorheesville, NY, about 15 miles west of Albany. No public transit reaches it, so most thru-hikers arrange a pickup or shuttle. Albany International Airport is 25 miles away.
Common section-hiking access points:
Shuttle services: Limited compared to the AT. Some trail angels and local hiking clubs may help; contact the NY-NJ Trail Conference for current contacts. Many section hikers use Uber or Lyft for shorter shuttles or hitchhike, which is common practice on the rural roads.
Parking: Most trailheads have parking, but overnight parking is prohibited in some areas. Harriman Park has designated overnight lots for backcountry users. Check current regulations before leaving a car.
Shelters are scarce: Only three lean-tos exist outside the brief AT section and the Catskills. A tent is absolutely necessary; expect to camp dispersed most nights.
Water carry: In dry conditions, carry 3 liters in the Catskills and ask day hikers about recent source conditions. The Esopus Creek crossing in Phoenicia is your chance to camel up.
Timing strategy: Start northbound in late April to hit the Catskills in May, when water is reliable. Southbounders starting in June will reach the Catskills in peak bug season.
Town days: The trail is not fully continuous for camping, so plan motel or hostel stays where camping is prohibited. This differs from the AT experience.
Catskill focus: Many backpackers skip the northern sections after the Catskills (which end around mile 280), finding them less scenic with more road walking. The Catskills section on its own makes an outstanding 2-week backpacking trip.
Navigation prep: Download NY-NJ Trail Conference maps to a GPS device. The route is far less intuitive than the white-blazed AT corridor, and junction marking is inconsistent.
Mouse problems: The few shelters have notorious mouse populations. Hang all food, including in-tent snacks.
Resupply packaging: Ship boxes early to small-town post offices, since they keep limited hours. General Delivery works, but call ahead to confirm they will hold packages.
The 23-mile stretch: The roadless Phoenicia-to-Platte Clove section is a highlight but committing. Check the weather forecast and carry extra water; there is no easy exit if conditions turn severe.
Blueberry season: August brings ripe blueberries on some high peaks, a rare trail-provided snack.
Community: Join NY-NJ Trail Conference Facebook groups to connect with recent thru-hikers. Trail reports are less common than on AT forums but invaluable for current conditions. Consider a small donation to the Trail Conference, since volunteers maintain this trail.
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