New York · Hiking

Eternal Flame Trail

Eternal Flame TrailPhoto: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.5 mi
one way
141 ft
climb
1,198 ft
high point
Point to point
route
May–Oct
best months

Eternal Flame Trail is a short, easy hike on county land in New York, about half a mile long and with a total climb of 141 feet. The route is a point-to-point trail, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.28 miles in, with a grade of 9 percent. The high point is 1,198 feet, and the low point is 1,029 feet, so the trail is a gentle walk with a slight rise and a small drop along the way. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 75 to 78°F in June and July, with lows in the low to mid 50s. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run a little cooler. The trail is close to several other routes. Ward Hill Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and Boy Scout Trail and Orienteering Trail are both within about a mile and a half. Boston County Forest Park Hiking Trails lies roughly 6 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Eternal Flame Trail

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 15°

    2. Feb

      33° / 14°

    3. Mar

      41° / 21°

    4. Apr

      54° / 32°

    5. May

      67° / 44°

    6. Jun

      75° / 52°

    7. Jul

      78° / 57°

    8. Aug

      77° / 55°

    9. Sep

      71° / 49°

    10. Oct

      59° / 40°

    11. Nov

      47° / 30°

    12. Dec

      37° / 22°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Colden 1 N, NY, 4.3 mi away at 1,025 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Orienteering TrailPhoto: amerune, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Mossy Point Red TrailPhoto: javajoe6, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors