The Long Path is New York's homegrown long-distance trail, a 357-mile aqua-blazed route stretching from the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany. Far less traveled than its famous cousin the Appalachian Trail, fewer than 150 people have completed the entire trail since its inception. The trail offers remarkable diversity—from urban parks and Hudson River salt marshes at sea level to rugged Catskill summits above 4,000 feet with boreal forests. While it includes some road walking and requires careful planning around varying regulations, the Long Path rewards backpackers with solitude, challenging terrain, and some of the finest mountain scenery in the Northeast. The 89-mile Catskills section is the crown jewel, climbing 11 high peaks with roughly 25,000 feet of elevation gain. Most thru-hikers complete the trail 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 local ranger contact. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Bear canisters recommended but not required.
Harriman State Park: Dispersed camping allowed only for Long Path or AT thru-hikers within 100 yards of designated lean-tos. All others must use established campgrounds or obtain permits for Cheesecote Park.
Shawangunks (DEC parcels): Similar to Catskill regulations—150 feet from trail/water/road, below 3,500 feet.
Private property and some park sections: No camping allowed. This necessitates occasional stays in towns, campgrounds, or motels. Careful advance planning with current maps from NY-NJ Trail Conference is essential.
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 offers the most reliable conditions, with distinct trade-offs:
Spring (April-May): Optimal water availability with creeks and springs flowing reliably. Wildflowers bloom at lower elevations. Temperatures are cool (50s-70s F), ideal for steep climbs. Expect muddy conditions, especially in the Catskills. Blackflies and early mosquitoes emerge by late May. Snow typically clears from high peaks by late April.
Early Summer (June-July): Pleasant temperatures before summer heat peaks. Longer days maximize hiking time. Water sources begin declining by July. Bugs—blackflies, mosquitoes, and ticks—are most intense. 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. Fewer bugs, though tick risk continues. Excellent visibility from high peaks.
Fall (October-early November): Peak foliage typically occurs the second week of October, creating spectacular views from Catskill summits. Cool, comfortable hiking weather. Water remains scarce. Snow can hit high elevations by late October. Most popular season for day hikers—expect crowds on weekends.
Winter: Possible but challenging. Deep snow above 3,000 feet, microspikes/snowshoes essential. Many water sources frozen. Very few attempt winter thru-hikes (first completed in 2024).
Avoid July if possible due to heat, humidity, and bugs. Late September offers the best balance of comfortable temps, fewer bugs, and adequate water if there's been recent rain.
Water is the Long Path's biggest logistical challenge. Unlike the AT, water sources are far apart in many sections, especially during summer and fall.
Water reliability: Springs marked on NY-NJ Trail Conference maps are generally year-round, but flow dramatically decreases by late summer. The Catskills can become surprisingly dry despite being NYC's watershed. Plan to carry 2-3 liters between sources. In the Catskills, even reliable mountain springs may barely trickle in high summer. The Esopus Creek in Phoenicia is a major reliable source. Lower elevation sections near the Hudson have better access. Always filter or treat all water.
Resupply strategy: Towns are plentiful in the southern sections but sparse heading north. Key resupply points:
Northern sections require more planning with longer carries (up to 5-6 days). No mail drops are established like on the AT—use USPS General Delivery to post offices. Most backpackers carry 4-5 days of food in the Catskills, less in southern sections with frequent road crossings.
Terrain difficulty: The Catskills are legitimately strenuous. Expect steep, rocky ascents and descents—some sections gain 2,600 feet in 4 miles. The Route 23 to Huntersfield Road section crosses 8 mountains in 15 miles. Scrambles over rock slabs and ledges are common. Trails are often rooty and rocky. This is significantly more challenging 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 navigation at junctions. Some sections are poorly blazed—reports mention going half-mile stretches without seeing markers. GPS or detailed maps from NY-NJ Trail Conference essential. Download offline maps. The northern sections near Albany have spotty blazing.
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. Practice proper food storage—bear bags or canisters (recommended but not required). Timber rattlesnakes inhabit rocky areas, particularly in the Hudson Highlands (Bear Mountain, Breakneck Ridge) and parts of the Catskills. They're protected and generally non-aggressive but warrant attention April-October when active. Watch where you place 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. Permethrin-treat clothing and perform thorough tick checks daily. The trail passes through high Lyme disease prevalence areas.
Exposure: Several high peaks (Peekamoose, Table, Hunter, Plateau) have exposed summits vulnerable to lightning and high winds. Weather changes rapidly at elevation—afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. The 23-mile roadless section from Phoenicia to Platte Clove offers no bailout options.
Trail maintenance: As a volunteer-maintained trail with far less traffic than the AT, expect blowdowns, overgrown sections, and occasionally indistinct tread. The Long Distance Trails Crew does excellent work but can't cover 357 miles constantly.
The Long Path's urban start offers unusual accessibility:
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. Public transportation access is unmatched among long trails.
Northern terminus: John Boyd Thacher State Park near Voorheesville, NY, about 15 miles west of Albany. No public transit. Most thru-hikers arrange pickup/shuttles. 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 assist. Contact NY-NJ Trail Conference for current contacts. Many section hikers use Uber/Lyft for shorter shuttles or hitchhike (common practice on rural roads).
Parking: Most trailheads have parking, but overnight parking is prohibited in some areas. Harriman Park has designated overnight lots for backcountry users. Always check current regulations.
Shelters are scarce: Only three lean-tos exist outside the brief AT section and 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 face the Catskills in peak bug season.
Town days: The trail isn't fully continuous for camping—plan motel/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 makes an outstanding 2-week backpacking trip.
Navigation prep: Download NY-NJ Trail Conference maps to GPS device. The trail is far less intuitive than the white-blazed AT corridor. 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, as they keep limited hours. General Delivery works but call ahead to confirm they'll hold packages.
The 23-mile stretch: The roadless Phoenicia-to-Platte Clove section is stunning but committing. Check weather forecast and carry extra water. No easy exit if weather turns 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 AT forums but invaluable for current conditions. Consider a small donation to Trail Conference—they maintain this trail on volunteer power.
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