Long Mountain Directions: Hiking with Kids

Kid-Friendly Hike: Long Mountain Directions

Scott Dunn, Director of Programming, shares directions for a classic Nature Place hike. Great for hiking with kids, or for folks of all ages.

The Torrey Memorial – Deep Hollow Hike is definitely a Nature Place favorite. In fact, it is at this beautiful vista on top of Long Mountain that my daughter and son-in-law, Ayla and Daniel (two of our Directors), were married! This is a moderately challenging 2-mile loop that takes about an hour and a half and is great for hiking with kids. The vista at the top is the perfect spot to have lunch or snack and take in the impressive views. You might try still-hunting up top as well: sit quietly and perfectly still by yourself and see what nature presents to you!

Driving to the Trailhead

Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway North. Get off at exit 18 (left 2 lanes) towards US-6 W/ NY-17 / I-87. Follow into the Long Mountain Traffic Circle. Take the 2nd exit onto US-6 W/ Long Mountain Parkway. In about 1.3 miles you will see a small sign on the right that says ‘Long Path’. Turn into the parking area and look for the kiosk at the trailhead.

Hiking Directions

From the kiosk, follow the aqua-blazed Long Path, which heads north into the woods. In 0.3 miles, after a short descent, you’ll reach a junction. Here, the red-square-on-white Popolopen Gorge Trail begins to the right, but you should bear left to continue on the Long Path, which begins a gradual climb. Soon, the trail bears right and climbs more steeply as it approaches the 1,155-foot summit of Long Mountain.

The summit affords a panoramic east-facing view, with Turkey Hill Lake below and Bear Mountain (with the Perkins Memorial Tower on its summit) beyond. After taking in the magnificent view, having a snack or lunch, continue ahead on the Long
Path. From the northern end of the summit ridge, there is a broad view to the north with the rocky Popolopen Torne visible to the right (north of Bear Mountain).

The Long Path now bears left and descends steadily on switchbacks. At the base of the descent – just before the crossing of Deep Hollow Brook – turn left onto an unmarked woods road known as the Deep Hollow Road. Head south on Deep Hollow Road, which briefly parallels the brook, then begins a gradual climb. In half a mile, you’ll once again reach the junction of the Long Path with the Popolopen Gorge Trail at the base of Long Mountain. Turn right and retrace your steps along the Long Path to the parking area where the hike began.

Enjoy your adventure!

Click here to find out more about how we hike with kids at camp!