Jersey’s Palisades have a hike for every skill level—plus hawk watching, picnicking and more.
With trails on top of the Palisades and along the Hudson River — 12 to13 miles each — Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey offers imposing views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Loop hikes are possible for hikers willing to ascend/descend 300 feet in a short distance on marked trails.
The New Jersey section of the Palisades Interstate Park encompasses about 2,500 acres along the Hudson River from Fort Lee to the New Jersey state line, where it continues into New York State. It is a long narrow park averaging less than an eighth of a mile wide.
The Palisades is a unique geological formation offering stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, not to mention its own imposing splendor.
Two main trails traverse the length of the Jersey Palisades: the Long Path, which runs along the top of the cliffs, and the Shore Trail, which runs along their base. In addition, five trails link the two paths making loop hikes possible for those willing to ascend/descend 250- to 400-feet. The highest cliff is at Point Lookout at 532 feet above the Hudson River. Trail maps are available on the Park’s web site.
On-leash dogs are welcome to hike with you!
Those arriving by car have several access points from US 9W and the Palisades Interstate Parkway with parking available at Fort Lee Historic Park, Alpine Administration Building and State Line Lookout. Roads lead down the cliffs to Ross Dock, Englewood Boat Basin, and Alpine Boat Basin where parking is also available. There are also scenic outlooks that connect to trails, but with time-limited parking.
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