Rail to Trail: 7 NYC Hikes Accessible by Train

When you think of New York City, it’s easy to imagine all the makings of a concrete jungle — towering skyscrapers in place of mountain peaks and more light pollution than starlight. But amid the hustle and bustle, the city’s parks and green spaces offer a chance to enjoy nature without leaving the five boroughs. 

Hike on forested trails or past coastal wetlands. Spot diverse wildlife (yes, more than pigeons and rodents). Or picnic by a babbling stream. And the best part? These pockets of outdoor bliss are all accessible via public transportation.  

1. Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)

Just off the A Train in Uptown, Inwood Hill Park preserves the only remaining natural forest and salt marsh in Manhattan. This 196-acre green space on the bank of the Hudson River offers multiple trails for quality forest bathing.

Hike among red and black oak trees, softwood pines, and wild birch on the 1.3-mile Orange Trail. Along the way, you’ll pass evidence of New York’s natural and cultural history, including glacial potholes and rock formations that provided shelter for the Lenape people for thousands of years. Look for barred owls, red-tailed hawks, and other woodland birds.

On the west side, wander the bank of the Hudson River and enjoy views of the New Jersey Palisades. Stop by Dyckman Pier for a chance to spot bald eagles, which were reintroduced to the area in 2001, more than 110 years after the species abandoned the last known nest in the city.

Or head to the northernmost end of the island to explore the Inwood Salt Marsh. Here, mummichogs (small minnow-like fish), mussels, snails, crabs, and waterfowl thrive in the brackish waters — the last of their kind in the area.

• Length: 2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Yes
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash 
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. 

2. Pelham Bay Park (The Bronx)

Take the 6 Train to the end of the line in the Bronx to access New York City’s largest green space — Pelham Bay Park. At 2,772 acres, this urban park is the ultimate escape from the city. Explore seaside trails, forested loops, or wetlands along the banks of the Hutchinson River, which cuts through the middle of the park. 

Hike the 1.2-mile Kazimiroff Nature Trail to learn about the ecosystems on Hunter Island through a self-guided, interpretive tour. The trail runs through wetlands, along a rocky shore, and into the interior forest, where two conifer groves shelter multiple species of owls.

After your hike, post up at Orchard Beach, right near the trailhead. This 1.1-mile crescent beach is covered in white sand — earning it the nickname “The Riviera of New York City.” 

In addition to year-round hiking, the park hosts various outdoor programs during the summer and fall, including events celebrating Native American heritage, environmental stewardship, Merengue and Bachata workshops, and movie screenings. 

• Length: 3.5 miles 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Yes
• Parking: On-site (free parking at Orchard Beach Lot) 
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash 
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

3. Hallett Nature Sanctuary (Manhattan)

In the southeast corner of Central Park — best accessed via the 59th-Columbus Circle stop on the A, B, C, or 1 trains — you’ll find a rustic gate that marks the entrance to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. The smallest of three wooded nature preserves within the park, this 4-acre sanctuary was fenced off and virtually untouched for more than 80 years. In 2016, Hallett Nature Sanctuary opened to the public after nearly 15 years of restoration and trail work. 

As you enter this secret garden in the city, you’ll feel a world away from the busyness of 5th Avenue on the other side of the trees. Wander through a forest of native trees and shrubs. Enjoy the serenity of the pond, which surrounds the preserve on three sides. Or spend a meditative moment on one of the hand-crafted park benches designed to mimic the natural feel of the sanctuary. 

• Length: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: No
• Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed 
• Hours: 10 a.m. until sunset

4. Fresh Creek Nature Preserve (Brooklyn)  

Ride the L Train to one stop shy of the end of the line in Brooklyn. Here, you’ll be within walking distance to Fresh Creek Nature Preserve. Part of a network of parks that abut the Jamaica Bay shoreline, the preserve protects the estuary’s delicate ecosystems.

Walk the mile-long path that parallels Louisiana Avenue to enjoy views of the 42-acre salt marsh, which supports more than 325 species of local and migratory birds, various butterfly species, and diverse coastal plants. Don’t miss the overlook at the end of the trail, where you can see views of Fresh Creek. 

Have more time to explore the area? The nearby Gateway National Recreation Area offers even more access to trails, plus kayak launches for exploring the bay.

• Length: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: No
• Parking: On-site, $5 per car 
• Dog friendliness: No
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. 

5. Van Cortlandt Park (The Bronx) 

For the greatest trail variety in one place, Van Cortlandt Park at the end of the 1 Train is the way to go. The 1,146-acre park has seven trails that lead hikers over ridges, through valleys and forests, past wetlands, and to a scenic lake.

Explore three distinct forest ecosystems on the 2-mile John Muir Trail. Spot sugar maples, red oak, hickory, tulip trees, and more. When you pass the marsh, listen for the sound of frogs that inhabit this part of the park. 

The paved Putnam Trail cuts through the park, following the historic New York Central Railroad. Hike 1.4 miles through the Croton Woods and under the Mosholu overpass to access Van Cortlandt Lake, where anglers can fish for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and more.

• Length: 2-7 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Restrooms: Yes
• Parking: On-site, free
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash 
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

6. Prospect Park (Brooklyn) 

Hop on the Q Train to head to Prospect Park — one of the most beloved greenspaces in Brooklyn. Choose from four mellow trails that showcase some of the park’s most unique features. The 0.75-mile Midwood Trail loops through the oldest remaining forest in Brooklyn, where you can spot birds, wildlife, and some of the largest trees in the park.

Or follow a self-guided audio tour along the Prospect Park Watercourse to learn about the park’s connection to the New York City water supply and see six waterfalls, including Fallkill Falls, which reopened in 2023 after being closed to the public since the 1990s.

In addition to trails, Prospect Park hosts numerous outdoor activities, from mushroom foraging walks and running clubs to comedy shows, live music, and cultural celebrations. 

• Length: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Yes
• Parking: On the streets (metered) 
• Dog friendliness: Yes
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. 

7. Bonus: Cold Spring (Outside the City)

Up for venturing outside the city? About 1.5 hours north of Manhattan, Cold Spring, New York, is a favorite day trip among city dwellers because of its easy access via the Metro-North Railroad. Take the Hudson Line from Grand Central Station directly to town. Near the train station, catch the 7-mile loop, which connects the Undercliff, Brook, and Cornish trails. 

Visit the historic West Point Foundry before following the trail into Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. Surrounded by mountains, this largely undeveloped 8,000-acre park has deciduous forest, rocky ridges, and estuarine ecosystems.

Hike below towering Bull Hill before reaching an outcropping with stunning views of the Hudson River. If you have more time, stay in the area overnight to explore the quaint town of Cold Spring and hike more of the park’s 70 miles of trails.

• Length: 7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Restrooms: Yes
• Parking: Limited trailhead lot and roadside 
• Dog friendliness: Yes
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset

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This post was sponsored by Fjällräven.