6 Must-Do Hikes in Storm King State Park, NY; All Levels!

Traveling to the Storm King, Cold Spring, or Beacon NY area and want to know about the best hikes to do?! Check out 6 beautiful hikes in and around Storm King State Park ranging from 1.8 to 4.3 miles and no short of views!

Located in the southeast part of Cornwall on the west side of the Hudson River, there’s a lot to explore in the almost 2,000 acre Storm King State Park. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands, Storm King State Park is a hiker’s paradise offering breathtaking views, challenging trails, and a rich natural landscape.

Living in central Connecticut, I love that the Cold Spring area with all of the amazing cafes, restaurants and hikes on both sides of the Hudson is only a little more than an hour away!

Offered below are two different routes on Storm King Mountain and I break down the differences between each and what views you’ll get on one over the over. And then there are 4 other top notch hikes right around Storm King to choose from if you’re here for an extended stay!

Here’s your ultimate guide to the best hikes in Storm King State Park!🌅

The Best Hikes in Storm King State Park

1. Storm King Mountain Loop: A Must-Do Hike

• Distance: 3.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,102 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Panoramic views of the Hudson River from multiple directions including view ofBannerman’s Castle, challenging rocky terrain, and iconic photo spots.

The Storm King Mountain Loop is the park’s most iconic trail, perfect for hikers looking to experience the best of what Storm King has to offer. This satisfying and moderately challenging loop takes you up the Butter Hill Trail to get to Storm King and you’ll encounter almost 500 ft of climb in the first half mile!

But after 0.5 miles, the trail levels out and you’ll start to experience views that’ll make you forget all about that rocky start!

Once you get to the loop portion of the hike (known at the Stillman Trail) at 0.7 miles, head to the right if you’d like to get to the views early on. When we did this hike for sunrise this is the route we took since the first views from Storm King Mountain all face east across the Hudson River! And what a treat a sunrise here is with the fog gently rolling down the river. 😍

After taking in the multiple viewpoints facing east over the Hudson, you’ll continue along the Stillman Trail looping around to the back of Storm King Mountain, which to our surprise offered MORE views over the Hudson River facing north now.

From here we were able to see Breakneck Ridge and the little island that houses Bannerman Castle. 🏰 With the fog still coming up off the river, it was truly magical!

Time to bring this hike to a close so continue on the Stillman Trail with the water at your back. Stay left where the Stillman Trail becomes the Bluebird Trail and then stay left two more times to stay on the Bluebird Trail which will loop you around til you get to the main trail you took coming in – the Butter Hill Trail. Take Butter Hill back down to your car.

2. Storm King Mountain via Storm King Trail: A Shorter Route

• Distance: 2.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 633 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Shorter hike, expansive views of just one side of the Hudson River (facing east)

This shorter hike affords you the views from Storm King Mountain looking east over the Hudson River as the first hike does. But you don’t get the views from the back of Storm King Mountain which look more north over the Hudson River toward Bannerma Castle and island.

This is a great option for a short hike at Storm King with the essential Storm King views! You truly won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything here even though this one has one less viewing section compared to hike above.

Starting this loop in a counterclockwise direction (head right on the loop) allows for a more gentle and spread out ascent. BUT if it’s easier on you to go up rock scrambles than down then take the loop clockwise. 🙂

So you’re fully informed, here’s how AllTrails puts it; “This route can be done in both directions. If done clockwise, it begins with some rock scrambling, though children will generally do ok with them. The scrambles are easier to go up than down, so clockwise is recommended. The rock scrambles may be difficult for some dogs.“

3. North Point Loop & Pitching Point Loop: A Hidden Gem

• Distance: 3.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft
• Difficulty: Hard (read on if you’d like to make it shorter!)
• Highlights: Quiet trails, diverse flora, and amazing eastern views of the Hudson River Valley

The North Point Loop is a lesser-known trail in Storm King State Park that offers just as exceptional views as Storm King Mountain and normally fewer crowds! This moderate hike winds through the forest, offering glimpses of the Hudson Highlands across the way and the Hudson River below. It’s a perfect choice for those looking to enjoy the park’s natural beauty without the crowds, as it’s less trafficked than some of the more popular routes.

We’ve done this trail a few times now. Once, we did the full loop during the day and another time we went and took a shortcut to the view for sunrise to see the sun come up over the Highlands and Hudson River!

Shortcut option to view: If you’d like to do this as a sunrise hike or if it’s a hot day and want to quickly get to a view and get out then enter the first portion of the trail, 0.4 miles, before you get to the loop.

Once you get to the loop potion, turn right onto the Howell Trail and go counterclockwise for just 0.3 miles until you get to North Point lookout. This view is breathtaking and if this is as far as you’re going for today then you’ll get some great pics, turn around, and be merrily on your way!

But if you’d like to continue with the full trail then after taking in the views from North Point you’ll continue going counter clockwise and you’ll soon start a slow descent down to another viewpoint – Pitching Point which gets you close to the river here.

After Pitching Point view you’ll begin a gradual uphill climb back the Howell Trail, staying left on the Howell Trail the whole time until you arrive at the initial 0.4 mile walk in. Turn right onto the 0.4 mile Bobcat Trail that will lead you back to your car!

✨ 3 Bonus Hikes Across the Hudson River! 🌉

While the 3 hikes above are the best to do within Storm King State Park, I wanted to give you two more options in case you are in the area for a bit and are looking for more adventure!

If you’re spending a weekend in Cold Spring or Beacon, then check out the hikes on the other side of the Hudson River – directly across from Storm King.

With just a short drive across the river on the Newburgh-Beacon Ridge why not explore what’s on the other side of the river! 💦

4. Cornish Estate Trail: A Walk Through History

• Distance: 1.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 190 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Highlights: Ruins of the Cornish Estate, serene forest paths, and historical intrigue.

For history buffs, the Cornish Estate Trail is a fascinating hike that combines natural beauty with a glimpse into the past. The trail leads you to the remains of the Cornish Estate, a once-grand mansion now reclaimed by nature. The hike itself is relatively easy, making it accessible for families and casual hikers. Along the way, enjoy the tranquil forest scenery and imagine the grandeur of the estate in its heyday.

As AllTrails describes it: “This is the easiest hike in Hudson Highlands State Park, as much of it is on the concrete driveway of the old Stern-Cornish Estate, with a quite gentle ascent to the estate ruins.”

5. Bull Hill Short Loop: For Ruins & Views

• Distance: 4.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,131 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Highlights: Steep at start, takes you to multiple viewpoints over Hudson plus the Cornish Estate ruins

If you want to check out the Cornish Estate ruins plus the views from Bull Hill then give this loop a try!

Since the walk to the ruins is pretty flat and easy, along a paved pathway, we did this loop and checked out the ruins first then continued up the loop for the rest of the hike.

There are multiple lookouts on this hike and if you click on the map on AllTrails, you’ll see them numbered. This can be a popular hike since it’s located just outside of Cold Spring. So I would suggest getting here early on a weekend day before the crowds come!

6. Breakneck Ridge Loop: For the Adventurous

• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,269 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Highlights: Challenging rock scrambles, spectacular views, and a sense of adventure.

Known for its tough rock scrambles and steep ascents, Breakneck Ridge is one of the more challenging hikes in the Hudson Highlands region. The views from the top are nothing short of spectacular, with the Hudson River stretching out before you and the mountains rising around!

Conclusion

Storm King State Park offers some of the best hiking in New York State, with trails that cater to all levels of experience. Whether you’re there for the panoramic views, the historical intrigue, or the sheer challenge, Storm King will not disappoint.

Lace up your boots, grab your backpack, and get ready to explore the incredible natural beauty that awaits at Storm King State Park! Have fun, friends!