Anthony’s Nose

What to bring

Day-hike essentials for this trail. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →

What to Expect on the Trail

Anthony’s Nose is the kind of hike where the reward is completely disproportionate to the distance. In 0.8 miles of climbing, you go from a highway trailhead to a clifftop overlook that looks straight down at the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River curving below. On clear days you can see the Manhattan skyline to the south and the Catskill escarpment to the northwest. The summit view is one of the best quick-payoff views in the Hudson Valley.

The trail gains 800 feet in that 0.8 miles, which means the grade is steep and sustained. The first half mile is the hardest — rocky, rooted, and relentlessly uphill. Hikers consistently flag this opening section as genuinely steep regardless of the overall moderate rating. Above the steep opening, the trail moderates slightly before reaching the summit clearing.

The summit area has multiple viewpoints along the cliff edge. The main overlook faces south and west over the bridge. A secondary lookout further along the ridge provides a different angle on the river. Both are worth visiting. The cliff edges are unguarded — stay back from the edge, especially in wet or windy conditions.

The descent follows the same trail. The steep rocky section that was challenging going up is harder going down. Loose rock and exposed roots demand careful foot placement. Most ankle injuries on this trail happen on the descent, not the climb.

How Hard Is This Trail, Really?

The official moderate rating holds for the overall trail, but the first half mile is harder than moderate. The concentrated steepness catches hikers who expected a gradual climb. Once you clear the steep opening push, the remaining distance to the summit is less intense. The total effort is about 1 hour round trip — quick enough that the difficulty does not have time to compound the way it does on longer Catskill hikes.

Anthony’s Nose is an excellent warm-up for Breakneck Ridge, which is nearby and significantly harder. If the scramble on Anthony’s Nose feels manageable, Breakneck is the next step. If Anthony’s steep sections felt like your limit, Breakneck will push well past it.

The trail is popular and can get crowded, especially on weekends and during peak fall foliage. Mid-week visits are quieter but the trail still sees traffic. The short distance and Hudson Valley access make it one of the most accessible quality hikes within two hours of New York City.

Best Time to Go

Fall foliage from the summit is exceptional — the Hudson Valley turns color and the Bear Mountain Bridge provides a striking man-made foreground against the natural backdrop. October weekends are the busiest. Spring and summer are good with early starts. Winter with microspikes is fine for experienced hikers — the steep section ices over but the short distance means the exposure to hazardous conditions is brief.

Sunrise from the east-facing summit is worth the early alarm. Sunset is equally good from the west-facing overlooks. The short hike time makes either a dawn or dusk visit feasible without headlamp hiking.

Before You Go

The trailhead is on Route 9D near the Bear Mountain Bridge toll plaza. Parking is limited — a small pull-off area on the highway shoulder. No entrance fee. No restrooms. No facilities of any kind. The town of Peekskill is about 10 minutes south with full services.

Cell service is good at the summit (line of sight to the valley). The trail is well-marked but short enough that getting lost is unlikely. Dogs are allowed on leash and handle the trail well — the distance is manageable for any dog, though the steep rocky opening may require assistance for small dogs.

The drive from NYC is about 1 hour via the Palisades Interstate Parkway or the Taconic. Anthony’s Nose is often combined with Breakneck Ridge (10 minutes north) for a full day in the Hudson Highlands.

Word from the Trail

Anthony’s Nose delivers more view per step than almost any hike in New York. In 45 minutes you go from a highway pull-off to a clifftop that makes you understand why the Hudson River School painters spent their careers here. The bridge below, the river curving away in both directions, the mountains rising on every side — it is a landscape painting you are standing inside. For a 1.6-mile hike, that is an extraordinary return on investment.

Gear for this hike

Our day-hike checklist — the picks that show up again and again from tested gear roundups. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacketdurable, trail + everydayCheck price on Amazon →Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweightlifetime warrantyCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Polescork grip, lightweightCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Squeeze Water Filterultralight, standard threadsCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent Spraytreat clothing; kills ticksCheck price on Amazon →Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve HoodyUPF 50, hood + thumb holesCheck price on Amazon →