There are two main ways to leverage the public transportation system to get you there.
If you are looking to take public transport to Bear Mountain from NYC, that is also a possibility. Note: you may need to pay a $10 parking fee depending on what time of year you travel there When searching for directions on Google Maps, you can type in “Bear Mountain Inn – 99 Service Rd, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986”, which will take you right up to the parking lot off of Seven Lanes Drive.īe careful if you search for the Bear Mountain Inn, because that may not take you directly to the parking lot area (but instead to the Bear Mountain Overlook Lodge nearby << check out the link to book a room!). Here is also where you will find the main massive parking lot area if driving your own car. The starting point of the Bear Mountain hike starts right outside the Bear Mountain Inn. Of course, you can make your way there from any other nearby cities or states as well. The drive from Manhattan takes 1-1.5 hours but will all depend on traffic.
#LOOP HERO MOUNTAIN PEAK HOW TO#
If you would like, you can also check out the full hiking map of Bear Mountain State Park.ģ) How to Reach the Starting Point by Carīear Mountain is located near Tomkins Cove, New York, which is about 50 miles away from NYC. This way you will avoid the trickier terrain of the Major Welch Trail.īelow you can see the route I took with some of the highlights that I will talk about more in the guide. If you are not comfortable with uneven terrain, then my recommendation would be to just stick with the Appalachian Trail up AND down the mountain. It is safer to head up the rockier section of Major Welch and then down the stairs of the Appalachian. The Major Welch terrain is rockier and more uneven than the Appalachian terrain. While the trail can be completed in either direction, I would recommend going in the counter clockwise direction. Later in the guide, I will also point out a “secret” viewpoint spot on the top of the mountain for those that want to get away from the crowds. Once done up top, you can continue the path in the opposite direction along the Appalachian Trail, which will take you safely back down to the Bear Mountain Inn. On the top of Bear Mountain, you will find the Perkins Memorial Tower, where you will be able to see all the way to New York City on a clear day. If going in a counter clockwise direction, you will first head on the Major Welch trail, which will bring you up along Bear Mountain with some beautiful viewpoint spots throughout the way. The loop trail combines two different trails that make their way through the park. Mid Point: Perkins Memorial Tower (Bear Mountain Summit) Starting & Ending Point: Bear Mountain Inn Trail Name: Bear Mountain Loop Trail (Major Welch & Appalachian) Below are some fast facts about the trail to better prepare you for hike: While there are many different hikes to choose from around Bear Mountain State Park, the Major Welch & Appalachian Loop Trail is one of the top ones in the area. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins! * Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you.
3) How to Reach the Starting Point by Car.