Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Fjällräven.
Hop on public transportation to explore hiking trails in and around the Big Apple.
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)
A snowy trail in Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan. Photo: Shutterstock
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: Two miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
