The Long Path: 'New York's Greatest Trail'
October 02, 2017
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
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The Long Path: 'New York's Greatest Trail'
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Since 1960, the Trail Conference has spearheaded the effort to maintain, protect, and complete the Long Path.
Conceived in 1931 as New York’s answer to the Long Trail in Vermont, the Long Path was originally meant to be an unmarked route connecting scenic or historic points of interest from New York City to Lake Placid. Today, the aqua-blazed Long Path extends 358 miles from 175th Street Subway Station in Manhattan to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany, connecting the most cosmopolitan area in the country with the region’s most wild places. The goal is to extend the trail across the Mohawk River and Saratoga County to link with the Adirondack State Park trail system.
Long Path by the Numbers
What the Long Path Means to Me
From the photographer, Steve Aaron:
"To me, the Long Path is distinctly New York in its diversity of terrain and scenery. Starting in the city, the trail wanders through parklands surrounded by suburbs. It continues through some of the state’s greatest parks, highest mountains, charming rural towns, and ends just outside the state capital.
The diversity of landscapes on the Long Path is truly moving. The Hudson River, New York’s historical lifeblood, is visible from the Long Path in many spots. The trail covers the Palisades, Harriman, Schunnemunk, Wallkill Valley, Shawangunks, Catskills, and the hills and escarpments of Albany County in a journey of physical and beautiful diversity.
From the lowest point at sea level along the Hudson to the trail’s summit atop Slide Mountain, the Long Path takes in a sampling of all that is beautiful and interesting in the Hudson Valley region."
Steve Aaron specializes in conservation, recreation, and tourism photography. Find him at www.steveaaronphoto.com, or on Facebook @SteveAaronPhoto.
Get Involved
The Long Path exists because of the incredible passion of volunteers who want to be a part of the legacy of New York’s Greatest Trail.
Maintainers and trail managers are always needed—adopt a section of the Long Path to call your own! Or come spend a few hours with one of our crews and help with the ongoing task of reducing road walks by constructing new trail.
This fall, we have Long Path relocation projects in the northwest corner of Harriman State Park, on the Greene/Schoharie County line in the northern Catskills, and at the Schoharie/Albany County line connecting with the Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area.
Come help us improve the trail that runs from the Big Apple to the Big Park! Learn more and discover all the ways you can get involved by emailing [email protected].