Hiking in the Hudson valley is possibly the best outing that east coast of USA has to offer. Well, I'm not saying one shouldn't be crazy about New York City, Boston or DC, there are immense city-life in this side. However, we who got bored in the busy life in boulder jungle of NYC often used to come out of that island and go to the hills. These are very nice valley of Hudson river with moderate to strenuous day hikes through well-marked trails with good co-travellers. I liked solo hiking as well as did some winter snow-hike with company of others. Whenever I felt lost, over-worked or deprived of love, I knew where the mountains are. Alps taught me that :)
i) Summer Hikes: Mt Beacon Fire tower, Ramapo-Dunderberg-Bear mountain.
From 42nd street, Grand Central station at NYC (often known to tourists as Times Square), I boarded on a train to Poughkeepsie. Beacon station is almost around 1 hr 45 mins duration from there. The train journey becomes scenic after a while, when it passes by the banks of Hudson. From Beacon station, a path leads via Dia Beacon to the foot of Mt. Beacon. The walk is usually enjoyable, especially if it's during the autumn foliage. A shop is there at the foot- one can grab water, energy drinks if needed. The hike starts slowly uphill unfolding natural resources step by step making sharp turns much up. After the hike, one can see the reminiscent of the old railway. A little walk above brings hikers to a grand opening from where the panorama of Hudson valley is worth enjoying.
This is also the place where I took my sandwiches for the day. Afterwards, I started my next journey to Fire Tower, which was not that tiring, but quite lengthy. The reward of reaching to the top of Fire tower gives beautiful views of mountain ranges around there. One can continue more to come back, however I was totally exhausted to risk the route-finding options and decided to go back in the same route I came back. Ramapo-Dunderberg was another route at east to Bear Mountain that gave breathtaking views of Hudson valley. At that time, we were four friends, so we completed the circuit. Usually in summer, the play of sunlight and broken clouds over the wavy-green landscape is something to cherish forever. I find it much more enjoyable and interesting than any city dramas.
ii) Winter Hikes: Bear Mountain, Mt. Taurus.
Winter hikes are much much more complex and thus exciting than the summer. My first hike was at Bear Mountain and I went with a group. There are strict instructions to follow, like one need a set of pole, gaiters, ice-trekkers, gortex shirt/pants, leather gloves, 3 litre of water, headlamp and so on. Usually climbing and coming back alive from a snow mountain is quite a lot of work, one really struggles at part, which makes the hike more enjoyable. We started in early morning following the Appalachian trail (white) to go up the Bear Mountain. It wasn't terribly hard while the route has many hairpin bend (Z) (it was hard though in Mt Taurus which goes up straight with quite a slope).
The views were breathtaking up above the summit. We had to struggle to go down, especially on steep places covered with snow. Mt. Taurus hike was also went very similar while from summit the views were something to see - frozen Hudson river, Stormking mountain & Catskill range, bald-white landscape and freezing breeze on a sunny day. Every seasonal hike has something or the other to offer. There is another nice hike via the Breakneck ridge, which goes quite steeply up that many daredevils do, however I never found time to try that route. Possibly later if I visit NY again will do that. Usually these hikes in summer are very easy and doable with family members (American families usually do).
If you're going, definitely take backup, like 3 litre of water per person, enough nut-grains, trailmix and sandwiches for lunch and a positive spirit, a mind to discover new things. That's all.