The best day hike from New York City does not require a car. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Harlem Valley at Pawling, New York, and on weekends Metro North trains stop directly at the trail. It is the only train station on the entire 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail, and it sits about ninety minutes from Grand Central.
The Only Train Station on the Appalachian Trail
Take the Harlem Line toward Wassaic on a weekend morning and step off at the Appalachian Trail stop. The platform opens onto fields, and the white blazes start immediately. Thru-hikers use this stop to resupply in Pawling village; day hikers use it for one of the most effortless wilderness escapes in the region.
The Great Swamp Boardwalk and Cat Rocks
Head north from the station and the trail crosses the Great Swamp on a long wooden boardwalk, one of the most photographed stretches of the entire AT. Continue up through the woods to Cat Rocks for an open ledge view over the valley. The round trip makes a satisfying half day with train times to spare.
More Quiet Miles Nearby
The Pawling Nature Reserve and the woods around Nuclear Lake offer quieter loops off the main trail, and Cranberry Mountain State Land holds 400 acres of protected forest a few miles south. Our full Pawling guide covers where to eat afterward.
Stay on the Trail's Doorstep
The Little Red Farmhouse, our restored 1705 farmhouse near Pawling, borders that protected land, with trails from the property line and a covered porch waiting at the end of the day. We host stays of three nights or more and full summer seasons from May through October.