NYC Has Some of the Best Urban Hikes in the Country — Here’s How to Turn Them Into Your Workout
Forget the treadmill. New York City is packed with trails, staircases, and elevation changes that can give you a full-body workout without ever leaving the five boroughs. While we’ve covered the best running routes and outdoor gyms, urban hiking is a completely different kind of challenge — one that builds strength, endurance, and balance while letting you discover hidden corners of the city.
Mid-April is the perfect window: the trees are leafing out, wildflowers are popping up along forest trails, and the temperatures are ideal for working up a sweat on the trails. Here are the best urban hikes in NYC that double as serious workouts.
Inwood Hill Park — Manhattan’s Last Natural Forest
Tucked at the very top of Manhattan, Inwood Hill Park feels more like upstate New York than the city. The park covers 196 acres and features the last natural forest and salt marsh in Manhattan. The main trail loop runs about 1.5 miles with significant elevation changes that will get your heart pumping.
The workout: The ridge trail climbs steeply from the Dyckman Street entrance to overlooks with views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Do the full loop twice for a challenging 3-mile hike with serious hill work.
How to get there: Take the A train to 207th Street. The park entrance is a short walk west on 207th Street.
Hours: Open daily, 6 AM to 1 AM.
Fort Tryon Park — The Staircase King
Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights is a stair-climber’s paradise. The park sits on a ridge high above the Hudson River, and getting from the bottom to The Cloisters museum at the top involves conquering multiple stone staircases that were built into the hillside.
The workout: Start at the Dyckman Street entrance and climb the grand stone staircase to the Heather Garden, then continue up to The Cloisters. Repeat the stair sections three to four times and you’ve got a leg-burning session that rivals any StairMaster. The park’s paths connect multiple staircase sections, so you can build your own circuit.
How to get there: Take the A train to 190th Street (elevator exit puts you right in the park) or the 1 train to Dyckman Street.
Hours: Open daily, 6 AM to 1 AM.
Van Cortlandt Park — The Bronx’s 8-Mile Challenge
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx offers some of the most rugged trail running and hiking terrain in all of New York City. The park spans over 1,100 acres and includes the famous cross-country running course that’s been used for high school and college races for over a century.
The workout: The John Muir Trail runs about 1.5 miles through old-growth forest with rolling hills. For a bigger challenge, combine it with the Cass Gallagher Nature Trail and the Putnam Greenway connector for a route pushing 5 to 8 miles through diverse ecosystems — forests, wetlands, and open meadows.
How to get there: Take the 1 train to 242nd Street–Van Cortlandt Park. The trailheads are accessible from the parade ground.
Hours: Open daily, 6 AM to 1 AM.
The High Bridge — Bronx to Manhattan Stair Climb
The High Bridge, NYC’s oldest standing bridge, connects the Bronx and Manhattan across the Harlem River. The bridge itself is a flat, scenic walk — but the staircases on either end that climb from street level to the bridge deck are the real workout.
The workout: Cross the bridge from the Manhattan side (access via Highbridge Park at West 170th Street), descend into the Bronx, then climb back up and return. Each staircase is roughly the equivalent of climbing 10 floors. Do three round trips for an intense stair workout with incredible river views between sets.
How to get there: Take the C train to 163rd Street–Amsterdam Avenue, then walk north to the Highbridge Park entrance at West 170th Street.
Hours: Open daily, 7 AM to 8 PM (seasonal hours may vary).
Pelham Bay Park — Kazimiroff Nature Trail
The Kazimiroff Nature Trail in Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx, is a gentle 1.2-mile loop through wetlands, forest, and along the waterfront — ending at a small beach. It’s a great option for a recovery day hike or an accessible introduction to trail walking.
How to get there: Take the 6 train to Pelham Bay Park, then transfer to the Bx29 bus to Orchard Beach. The trailhead is near the Pelham Bay/Split Rock golf course parking area.
Hours: Open daily, 6 AM to 1 AM.
What to Bring
- Footwear: Trail shoes or sturdy sneakers with good grip. Some NYC trails have exposed roots and loose gravel.
- Water: Carry at least 16 oz, more if you’re doing stair repeats. Water fountains in NYC parks can be unreliable early in the season.
- Layers: Mid-April temperatures can swing dramatically — check the weekly forecast and bring a light jacket you can tie around your waist.
- Bug spray: The forested trails in Inwood and Van Cortlandt can have ticks in spring. Tuck pants into socks and check yourself after.
- Phone/map: Download the NYC Parks Trail Map app or grab a trail map at the park entrance. Some trails are poorly marked.
Pro Tips
Hit the trails early on weekends — by 10 AM, the popular spots like Fort Tryon get crowded. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot for having the trails mostly to yourself. If you’re looking for guided hikes, the NYC Urban Park Rangers lead free hikes through many of these parks, including a special Earth Day series running April 18 through 25.
The city is your gym — and these trails prove it. Lace up and go find your favorite climb.
