New York · Hiking · Near New Windsor

Major Welch Trail

Major Welch TrailPhoto: paramsach, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.5 mi
one way
1,118 ft
climb
1,280 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Major Welch Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It doesn't name Major Welch Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Major Welch Trail is a 1.5-mile point-to-point hike in Bear Mountain State Park, New York, set within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor. The route rises from a low of about 160 feet to a high of 1,280 feet, with an elevation gain of 1,118 feet, and is rated moderate. The trail is managed by State Park and Recreation, and the land is within Bear Mountain State Park. The climb is steepest near the start, with a 34% grade at about 0.38 miles. Bikes and horses are not allowed on the trail. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at West Point, NY, show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 76°F, while July averages about 85°F. That station sits roughly 960 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Several other trails lie close by, including the Timp Torne Trail and Cornell Mine Trail, each about 0.7 miles away, and the Doodletown Bridle Path at 0.8 miles. Climbers can head to Blue Mountain Park, about 5.5 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Tiorati Plateau

    Campground

    Campground · 5.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Dunkin'

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rainsDaniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Fort Montgomery

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 mi

    American Revolutionary War fort near West Point on the Hudson River

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in New Windsor

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Major Welch Trail

    Best months: April–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

      36° / 21°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    2. Feb

      39° / 22°

      8 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 30°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      60° / 41°

      10 wet

    5. May

      72° / 51°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 64°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 57°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 46°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 36°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 27°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at West Point, NY, 5.7 mi away at 320 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Doodletown Bridle PathPhoto: paramsach, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Doodletown Bridle Path

~1 min drive

3.4-mile point-to-point bridle path through New York countryside.

1777 W TrailPhoto: paramsach, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

1777 W Trail

~2 min drive

A 1.76-mile point-to-point trail in New York with historical significance.

HIKE

Timp Torne Trail

~1 min drive

Scenic ridgeline point-to-point hike with Hudson Valley views.

Twin FortsPhoto: William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Twin Forts

~2 min drive

0.52-mile out-and-back trail with 319 ft gain in New York.

1777 West TrailPhoto: William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

1777 West Trail

~2 min drive

2.30-mile out-and-back hike in New York with 1,033 ft elevation gain.

Brooks Pond TrailPhoto: William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Brooks Pond Trail

~2 min drive

0.93-mile loop trail in New York with 366 ft elevation gain.

Camp Smith TrailPhoto: mlcastle, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Camp Smith Trail

~3 min drive

3.40-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 1,193 ft elevation gain.

Brooks Lake TrailPhoto: William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Brooks Lake Trail

~2 min drive

0.96-mile loop trail in New York with 395 ft gain and 454 ft loss.

Anthony Wayne TrailPhoto: Schezar, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Anthony Wayne Trail

~3 min drive

A short point-to-point trail perfect for a quick New York hike.

Doodletown RoadPhoto: christinejwarner, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Doodletown Road

~2 min drive

Easy point-to-point woodland walk through historic Doodletown.

Route details

Distance
1.5 mi
Climbing
About 1,118 ft
Summit
1,288 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 1.5 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Major Welch Trail on Bear Mountain?

About 1.5 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Major Welch Trail?

About 1,118 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Major Welch Trail?

It is rated moderate.

How long does the Major Welch Trail take?

About 1.5 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Bear Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors