New York might be known for its big city, but if you’re up for an adventure, the hiking trails here are next level.
We’re talking epic mountain views, gorgeous waterfalls, and trails that take you through caves and even past a waterfall with actual fire burning behind it.
Whether you want an easy walk with a crazy view or a heart-pounding climb that will have you scrambling up cliffs, there’s a perfect trail waiting for you.
From hidden gems to famous trails that belong on your bucket list, keep reading to find out where to find the best hikes in New York State.
1. Cobble Lookout, Adirondacks
Distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
Rating: Easy
Open: Year-round
Cobble Lookout is an easy hike in Wilmington that leads to a huge rocky ledge with wide-open views of Whiteface Mountain, the Jay Range, and miles of rolling forest.
The trail is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines, making it a great choice if you want a short, low-effort hike with a big payoff at the end.
Once you reach the top, you can sit on the massive rock slab and take in the view, which is especially amazing at sunset.
2. The Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park
Distance: Around 1.6 miles
Rating: Moderate
Open: Closed in winter
If you’re up for something a little more dramatic, The Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca is packed with stunning waterfalls, towering cliffs, and stone staircases that wind through a narrow canyon.
This trail follows Buttermilk Creek, passing a series of cascades and pools, with the grand finale being the park’s namesake 165-foot waterfall.
It’s a bit more challenging with plenty of stairs, but the views of the gorge walls and rushing water make every step totally worth it.
3. Mount Jo, Adirondacks
Distance: 2.5-mile loop
Rating: Moderate
Open: Year-round
Mount Jo in the Adirondacks is a must-try for a short but rewarding climb, offering some of the best views of Heart Lake and the High Peaks without an all-day trek.
The loop has two options: a “short” trail that’s steeper and a “long” trail that’s a bit more gradual.
Either way, expect some rocky sections and wooden ladders to help with the climb.
At the summit, you get an incredible panoramic view of Mount Marcy, Algonquin Peak, and the wilderness that will make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
4. Gertrude’s Nose
Distance: 7.5-mile loop
Rating: Difficult
Open: Closes during winter due to hazardous conditions
If you’re looking for a hike with jaw-dropping cliffside views, Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska State Park Preserve is the one to beat.
This loop takes you through dense forests, past rocky outcrops, and onto a dramatic ledge with sheer drop-offs and endless views of the Hudson Valley.
The mix of steep sections and open ridgelines makes it more challenging than your average hike, but standing on the edge of Gertrude’s Nose is 100% worth the effort.
5. The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park
Distance: 1.5 miles one way
Rating: Moderate
Open: Closed in winter
With 19 waterfalls, stone bridges, and a winding path carved right into the cliffs, The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park looks like something straight out of a fantasy movie.
This trail follows Glen Creek through a deep canyon, leading you behind the famous Cavern Cascade, through tunnels, and up staircases that seem to blend into the rock itself.
Even though it’s a challenging walk, every turn brings a new waterfall or breathtaking rock formation, so you’ll be stopping for photos the whole way.
6. Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail
Distance: 6.3 miles roundtrip (or 3.2 miles roundtrip to Giant Ledge only)
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Open: Year-round (but can be icy in winter)
If sweeping mountain views are what you’re after, the Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail in the Catskills deliver some of the best.
The roundtrip hike starts with a steady uphill climb, but once you reach Giant Ledge—a series of rocky outcrops—you’ll get incredible views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
You can stop at the ledges for a shorter 3.2-mile hike or keep going to Panther Mountain for an even higher vantage point.
Either way, the views are some of the most stunning in the Catskills, particularly in the fall when the whole valley turns shades of red, orange, and gold.
7. Overlook Mountain Trail
Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderate
Open: Year-round (but can be snowy/icy in winter)
Overlook Mountain Trail in Woodstock is a hike that has a little bit of everything—sweeping views, eerie ruins, and even a chance to spot a rattlesnake.
This trail climbs steadily up an old gravel road, leading to the crumbling remains of the Overlook Mountain House, a once-grand hotel now taken over by nature.
Keep going past the ruins, and you’ll reach a fire tower with a 360-degree view of the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and beyond.
Climb to the top if you’re not afraid of heights because the view is unbeatable!
8. Chimney Mountain
Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderate
Open: Year-round (but can be muddy or icy depending on the season)
Chimney Mountain isn’t just a great hike—it’s an adventure with caves, rocky spires, and some of the most unique rock formations in the Adirondacks.
This short but steep trail leads to a jagged, magical summit where you can climb around huge rock pillars and even explore hidden crevices and caves.
The view from the top stretches for miles, but the real highlight is the chance to go through the rocky maze and feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
9. Gorge Trail at Letchworth State Park
Distance: 7 miles one way
Rating: Moderate
Open: Closed in winter
The Gorge Trail at Letchworth State Park is all about massive waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and nonstop views of what’s often called the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
This runs along the edge of the gorge, passing three huge waterfalls—Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls—plus jaw-dropping overlooks.
It’s a longer hike, but since the trail is mostly flat with plenty of spots to stop and take in the views, it’s the perfect way to see the best of Letchworth without too much effort.
10. Breakneck Ridge
Distance: Around 3.2-miles
Rating: Difficult
Open: Year-round (but can be dangerous in winter due to ice)
If you’re up for a challenge, Breakneck Ridge is hands down one of the most exciting hikes in the state, with steep rock scrambles and nonstop views of the Hudson River.
This route near Cold Spring starts with a nearly vertical climb where you’ll be using your hands as much as your feet to pull yourself up rocky ledges.
Once you reach the top, the panoramic views of the river and surrounding mountains are unbeatable.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re into thrilling climbs and epic scenery, this hike is an absolute must.
11. Eternal Flame Falls Trail
Distance: Around 1.2 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderate (can be slippery and muddy)
Open: Year-round
For something totally unique, the Eternal Flame Falls Trail in Chestnut Ridge Park leads to a small waterfall with a flickering natural gas flame burning right behind it.
This scenic, slightly rugged hike winds through a wooded ravine before revealing a waterfall with a small but persistent flame glowing inside a cave-like nook.
Bring a lighter in case the flame has gone out (yes, you can actually relight it), and be prepared to get a little muddy, especially after it rains.
12. Devil’s Hole Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderate (steep stairs and rocky sections)
Open: Year-round (can be icy in winter)
If you’re into rugged river views and a bit of history, the Devil’s Hole Trail near Niagara Falls is a hidden gem with a wild past.
This trail takes you deep into the Niagara Gorge, where you’ll hike alongside the rushing rapids of the Niagara River, descend steep stone staircases, and pass the site of an 18th-century ambush that gave the trail its ominous name.
The swirling whirlpools and giant cliffs make for an epic backdrop, but be ready for a workout—those stairs feel even longer on the way back up.
13. The Appalachian Trail
Distance: Over 2,190 miles total (88.4 miles in New York State)
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Open: Year-round (but can be snowy/icy in winter)
The Appalachian Trail isn’t just a hike—it’s a legendary trek stretching from Georgia to Maine, with some incredible sections passing through New York.
One of the best spots to check it out is in Bear Mountain State Park, where you can hike a scenic stretch that includes rock staircases and a stunning overlook of the Hudson River.
Whether you’re tackling a short day hike or dreaming of thru-hiking the whole thing, walking even a small part of this iconic trail feels like stepping into a piece of hiking history.
14. Mohonk Labyrinth & Lemon Squeeze Trail
Distance: Around 6 miles roundtrip (including Sky Top Tower)
Rating: Difficult
Open: Year-round (can close during wet or icy conditions)
If you like your hikes with a side of rock scrambling and tight squeezes, the Mohonk Labyrinth & Lemon Squeeze Trail is pure adventure from start to finish.
Located at Mohonk Mountain House, this route winds through a maze of boulders, wooden ladders, and narrow crevices.
The Lemon Squeeze, a steep rock chimney you’ll have to shimmy through to reach the top, is the grand finale.
The reward? A jaw-dropping view from Sky Top Tower that makes every crawl, climb, and squeeze along the way totally worth it.
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