Giant Stairs is a rugged and iconic rock scramble trail within Palisades Interstate Park, renowned for its dramatic geology and demanding terrain along the Hudson River’s western shoreline.

Location: Situated at the base of the Palisades cliffs in Palisades Interstate Park, New Jersey, running between Englewood Cliffs and Alpine, just north of the George Washington Bridge.

Terrain: The trail consists of massive basalt boulders formed from fallen cliff rock, creating a natural “staircase” that requires scrambling, climbing, and careful navigation over uneven surfaces.

Difficulty: Considered strenuous and technical, the Giant Stairs is best suited for experienced hikers due to steep sections, frequent rock hopping, and limited footing.

Views: The trail offers striking perspectives of the Hudson River, towering Palisades cliffs overhead, and intermittent views of the George Washington Bridge and the Manhattan skyline through breaks in the trees.

Points of Interest: The Giant Stairs is commonly paired with the Long Path above the cliffs to form a challenging loop hike. The trail highlights the Palisades’ unique basalt formations, talus slopes, and sheer cliff faces, making it one of the most memorable hikes in the New York–New Jersey metropolitan area.

Sam's Point, also referred to as Sam's Point Overlook, is the iconic panoramic vista of the Sam's Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

• Location: Situated on the southern and highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains ridge in Ulster County, New York.

• Elevation: It stands as the highest point of the entire Shawangunk Ridge, with an elevation of approximately 2,289 feet (698 meters).

• Significance: It is the centerpiece of a globally rare ecosystem known as the dwarf pitch pine barrens, one of the largest globally.

• Views: The dramatic cliff offers sweeping, expansive views over the Hudson Valley, the Wallkill Valley, and the surrounding mountains, with visibility that can extend into five states on very clear days.

• Points of Interest: It is the starting point for exploration of major preserve features, including the unique Ellenville Fault Ice Caves—a geological formation where ice can persist year-round—and the trail leading to Verkeerder Kill Falls.

Mount Taurus, also known as Bull Hill, is a prominent mountain in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve in New York. 

Location: Situated on the east side of the Hudson River, just north of the village of Cold Spring in Putnam County.

Elevation: It stands at approximately 1,410 to 1,420 feet (430-433 meters).

Significance: It is an extremely popular hiking destination, known for its extensive trail network (including the Washburn and Cornish Trails) and its spectacular scenic overlooks.

Views: From its rock outcrops, hikers can enjoy sweeping views of the Hudson River, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Ridge, the West Point Military Academy, and on exceptionally clear days, a glimpse of the distant Manhattan skyline.

Points of Interest: The mountain features the ruins of the historic Cornish Estate and passes by the site of a former rock quarry that operated until 1967.

Anthony’s Nose is a prominent peak located on the east bank of the Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands of New York, directly overlooking the Bear Mountain Bridge.

Geographic Role: Together with Bear Mountain on the opposite bank, it frames the southern entrance to the Hudson Highlands. Its steep rocky face and sharply rising ridge make it one of the most recognizable landmarks along the river, offering dramatic views of the Hudson River corridor.

Elevation: The summit rises to approximately 900 feet (275 meters) above sea level. While not the tallest peak in the region, its abrupt ascent from the river’s edge creates a striking and commanding profile.

History & Name: The name “Anthony’s Nose” dates back to the 17th century, though the exact origin is debated. One popular theory is that it was named after Captain Anthony Hogan, whose notably large nose was said to resemble the mountain’s protruding ridge. The area also carries historical significance from the Revolutionary War, including nearby fortifications and chains once stretched across the Hudson to block British ships.

Recreation: Anthony’s Nose is a well-known hiking destination accessed via the Appalachian Trail or the Bear Mountain Bridge approach. The short but steep ascent rewards hikers with expansive views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain State Park, the bridge, and the forested highlands beyond.

Environmental Significance: As part of the Hudson Highlands region, the mountain contributes to a critical conservation corridor protecting diverse habitats, geological formations, and scenic river vistas. Its trails and viewpoints play an important role in regional outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship initiatives.

Storm King Mountain is an iconic peak located on the west bank of the Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands of New York, just south of Cornwall-on-Hudson.

• Geographic Role: Along with Breakneck Ridge on the opposite bank, it forms the "Wey-Gat" or "Wind Gate," the picturesque northern narrows of the Hudson Highlands. Its distinctive, curved ridge is a signature feature of the views over Newburgh Bay.

• Elevation: The summit reaches approximately 1,340 feet (410 meters) above sea level, although its eastern peak, Butter Hill, is slightly higher at about 1,380 feet.

• History & Name: Originally called "Butter Hill" by Dutch colonists, the mountain was famously renamed Storm King by 19th-century writer Nathaniel Parker Willis, who observed that the presence of clouds (a "white cloud-beard") around the peak often foretold a coming storm.

• Recreation: It is a major part of Storm King State Park and is a popular hiking destination with an extensive trail system, offering hikers expansive views of the Hudson River, the Hudson Valley, and neighboring mountains like Mount Taurus.

• Environmental Significance: The mountain was the subject of a landmark environmental legal battle in the 1960s, where local activists successfully fought plans for a large pumped-storage power plant, setting a major legal precedent for environmental protection in the United States.

Mount Everett, historically known as the "Dome of the Taconics," is the commanding high point in the southern Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts.

• Location: Situated in the southwestern corner of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, primarily within the towns of Mount Washington and Sheffield.

• Elevation: It is the highest peak in the southern Taconics, reaching approximately 2,602 feet (793 meters) above sea level.

• Significance: The mountain's summit is traversed by the Appalachian Trail and is recognized for its unique, protected ecosystem of dwarf pitch pine and scrub oak forest.

• Views: From its summit area, hikers can enjoy expansive, panoramic 360-degree vistas stretching across the Housatonic Valley and into the neighboring states of New York and Connecticut.

• Points of Interest: The surrounding Mount Everett State Reservation includes natural features like the scenic Guilder Pond and the multi-tiered Race Brook Falls, offering diverse recreational routes for hikers.

Bear Mountain is an iconic mountain peak and the centerpiece of Bear Mountain State Park in the Hudson Highlands, serving as a historic gateway to the natural beauty of the lower Hudson Valley.

• Location: Situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, straddling the border of Orange and Rockland counties, New York.

• Elevation: It stands at approximately 1,289 feet (393 meters).

• Significance: It contains the lowest elevation point on the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail (AT) and was the location of the AT's first-ever section to be opened in 1923.

• Views: The summit is home to the Perkins Memorial Tower, which offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, West Point Military Academy, the Hudson Highlands, and on clear days, the distant Manhattan skyline about 40 miles to the south.

• Points of Interest: The mountain is accessible via a challenging climb on the Appalachian Trail (featuring 800 stone steps) or the scenic Perkins Memorial Drive. The park at its base features the historic Bear Mountain Inn, the Trailside Museums and Zoo, and Hessian Lake.

Bash Bish Falls is a dramatic and iconic waterfall and natural landmark in the southern Berkshires, widely regarded as the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts and a centerpiece of the region’s outdoor landscape.

Location: Situated in southwestern Massachusetts near the town of Mount Washington, within Bash Bish Falls State Park, along the border of New York and Massachusetts.

Height: The falls drop approximately 60 feet in a two-tier cascade, with water plunging through a narrow gorge carved into the surrounding bedrock.

Significance: Bash Bish Falls is one of the most visited natural attractions in the Berkshires, known for its powerful flow, scenic setting, and year-round appeal. Swimming at the base is prohibited due to strong currents and past safety incidents.

Views: The falls are framed by steep rock walls, dense forest, and a large plunge pool at the base, creating a dramatic and photogenic scene, especially after heavy rains or during peak foliage season.

Points of Interest: The falls are accessible via well-maintained hiking trails from both the Massachusetts and New York trailheads. The surrounding area offers additional hiking opportunities, scenic overlooks, and proximity to nearby attractions in the Taconic Mountains and Berkshire region.

Mount Tammany is a prominent and rugged mountain peak overlooking the Delaware Water Gap, widely regarded as one of the most iconic hikes in the Mid-Atlantic region for its steep climb and sweeping river views.

Location: Situated in Worthington State Forest in northwestern New Jersey, along the eastern edge of the Delaware River, directly across from Mount Minsi in Pennsylvania at the Delaware Water Gap.

Elevation: The summit rises to approximately 1,527 feet (465 meters) above sea level.

Significance: Mount Tammany marks the eastern gateway of the Delaware Water Gap, a dramatic geological passage where the Delaware River cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge. It is named after Tamanend, a respected Lenape chief.

Views: The summit offers expansive views of the Delaware River winding through the gap, Mount Minsi on the opposite bank, Interstate 80 below, and the surrounding Appalachian ridgelines—especially striking during fall foliage season.

Points of Interest: The mountain is most commonly climbed via the Red Dot Trail, a steep and rocky ascent featuring exposed sections and stone steps. Many hikers descend via the Blue Dot Trail to form a loop. The hike is short but strenuous, making Mount Tammany a popular challenge hike with one of the best payoffs in the region.

Breakneck Ridge is one of the most iconic and challenging mountain hikes in the Hudson Highlands, renowned for its steep rock scrambles, exposed terrain, and dramatic views of the Hudson River.

Location: Situated in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve in Cold Spring, New York, along the east bank of the Hudson River, directly across from Storm King Mountain.

Elevation: The ridge rises to approximately 1,260 feet (384 meters) above sea level.

Significance: Breakneck Ridge is widely considered one of the most strenuous day hikes in the New York metropolitan area. Its rugged ascent showcases the Hudson Highlands’ ancient bedrock and offers a true scramble hike experience close to New York City.

Views: The summit and upper ridgeline provide sweeping panoramic views of the Hudson River, Storm King Mountain, Bannerman Castle, and surrounding highlands. On clear days, the river appears far below, emphasizing the steepness of the climb.

Points of Interest: The hike begins with a steep, hands-on rock scramble marked by white blazes, followed by optional loop routes using yellow and red trails. Breakneck Ridge is accessible via the nearby Metro-North Breakneck Ridge station, making it a popular but demanding destination for experienced hikers seeking dramatic scenery and a physical challenge.