Breakneck Ridge and Notch Trail Loop in Hudson Highlands State Park, NY

Hike Breakneck Ridge and Notch Trail Loop Hudson Highlands State Park, NY

Class 2 4.3 miles 1500 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Jun 11, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Breakneck Ridge and Notch Trail Loop GPX Track

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Breckneck Ridge is the go-to spot for New Yorkers looking for a hike away from the city, facilitated by a train stop that drops people off a half mile from the trailhead. The hike leads up the southwest ridge without summitting any actual peaks. It's all about the fun scrambling for this one. Some call this hike Class 3, but really I couldn't find any moves that made it quite that difficult or dangerous.

If you're looking to extend this hike a bit, I recommend continuing to South Beacon Mountain and checking out that trip report instead.

From the generally very crowded trailhead, head along the well-marked trail, which gives quick glance to the west toward the Hudson River before the scramble begins in earnest. Steep Class 2 on nice boulders leads to more interesting moves, including some nice slabs. The trail continues to a great overlook toward the Huson River before more fun scrambling with great views leads to the high point. From here I continued northeast, descending slightly, and then made a right and took the Notch Trail down to NY-9D. Along the way I passed some ruins, and made a short detour to check out some larger ruins just off the trail. Once I reached the highway, I hiked under the tunnel and got back to my car.

I'll let the photos speak for the scrambling since basically every single person with a website has written about this hike.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Breakneck Ridge
1280 ft
160 rise

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Starting up the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
Starting up the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
Just before starting up the scramble, a view toward Storm King across the Hudson River.
Just before starting up the scramble, a view toward Storm King across the Hudson River.
Some Class 2 fun on boulders.
Some Class 2 fun on boulders.
More interesting scramble moves.
More interesting scramble moves.
Looking back down the first Class 2 section of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
Looking back down the first Class 2 section of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
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Higher up.
Higher up.
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A view back down at my progress.
A view back down at my progress.
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Higher up, view back.
Higher up, view back.
Approaching a fun slab.
Approaching a fun slab.
A Class 2 slab.
A Class 2 slab.
Final bit to the first major overlook.
Final bit to the first major overlook.
View back at the scramble from the main overlook.
View back at the scramble from the main overlook.
The classic Breakneck Ridge Trail photo overlooking the Hudson River.
The classic Breakneck Ridge Trail photo overlooking the Hudson River.
View north toward the Hudson River.
View north toward the Hudson River.
Continuing from the classic rest spot where most turn around.
Continuing from the classic rest spot where most turn around.
Pretty ledge along the Breakneck Ridge Trail, view south.
Pretty ledge along the Breakneck Ridge Trail, view south.
A view back at the rest spot with the waving flags.
A view back at the rest spot with the waving flags.
More fun scrambling.
More fun scrambling.
Continuing to the top of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
Continuing to the top of the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
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A final section of Class 2 before the top.
A final section of Class 2 before the top.
A shot back.
A shot back.
Along the top of Breakneck Ridge as I make my way to the Notch Trail.
Along the top of Breakneck Ridge as I make my way to the Notch Trail.
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Views along the ridge.
Views along the ridge.
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Heading down the Notch Trail.
Heading down the Notch Trail.
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Ruins along the Notch Trail.
Ruins along the Notch Trail.
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Ruins just off the Notch Trail.
Ruins just off the Notch Trail.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!