New York · Hiking · Near New Windsor

Scenic Trail

3.6 mi
one way
690 ft
climb
1,415 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Scenic Trail is a 3.6-mile point-to-point hike in Black Rock Forest in New York, managed by a non-governmental organization. The route gains about 690 feet in elevation, with a steady climb that peaks at 1,415 feet. It starts at roughly 1,296 feet and ends at about 1,051 feet, so the total gain and loss are nearly equal. The steepest stretch comes early, around 0.45 miles in, with a grade of about 24%. The trail is rated easy, and it works well as a short outing. The estimated time is about 1.5 hours. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. 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 well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. Several other trails start close by. Compartment Trail is about 0.1 mile away, Arthur Trail about 0.2 mile, and Chatfield Trail about 0.4 mile. Storm King Mountain, a climbing area, is about 3.7 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Graymoor Hiker Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 7.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rainsDoug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Storm King Art Center

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

    Open-air museum and sculpture park located in Mountainville, New York

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (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 Scenic 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, 4.1 mi away at 320 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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

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Tower Vue Trail

~2 min drive

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Dark Hollow Trail

~5 min drive

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Breakneck Ridge Trail (White)Photo: Jeffrey Pang from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Breakneck Ridge Trail (White)

~8 min drive

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HIKE

Timp Torne Trail

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

Duggan TrailPhoto: MonikaMurren, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Duggan Trail

~4 min drive

0.41-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 305 ft gain

Howell TrailPhoto: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

Howell Trail

~6 min drive

Howell Trail is a 3.41-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 2,288 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Long Path - Section 7

~7 min drive

10.77-mile point-to-point section of the Long Path in New York with 1,730 ft gain.

Resevoir TrailPhoto: andyarthur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Resevoir Trail

~4 min drive

Short point-to-point trail featuring reservoir views in New York.

Sweet Clover TrailPhoto: Alex Bellink from Westchester County, New York, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sweet Clover Trail

~7 min drive

1.80-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 503 ft gain and 1,464 ft loss.

Meadow LoopPhoto: PunkToad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Meadow Loop

~4 min drive

1.77-mile loop trail in New York with 227 ft gain and 265 ft loss.

Route details

Distance
3.6 mi
Climbing
About 690 ft
Summit
1,395 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Time
About 1.5 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Scenic Trail on Hill of Pines?

About 3.6 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Scenic Trail?

About 690 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Scenic Trail?

It is rated easy.

How long does the Scenic Trail take?

About 1.5 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Hill of Pines

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