Home ⎟ Hikes & Wanderings ⎟ New York ⎟ Hudson Valley ⎟ Iona Island

Distance: 2.5 miles

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Driving Directions: From the Palisades Parkway going north from Nyack, NY, go 15.5 miles and continue to follow signs for US-6E / Palisades Interstate Parkway North. Reach a traffic circle and take the first RIGHT onto US 202 West / 9W South.  Continue 1.5 miles and turn LEFT at the sign reading “Iona Island” on the left.  Continue 0.5 miles down this road to the train tracks and park on the inland side of the tracks.

Hike Directions: From the parking area, cross the railroad tracks and walk through the gate and up the paved road toward old buildings.  At the buildings, turn LEFT and away from them as you follow the path on your left. 0.41 miles later, you’ll reach a an old brick building that looks like it would be a perfect brewery.  Bushes and woods go off to the left.  Walking toward the front of the building, look to your LEFT and turn onto an old and overgrown path through the bushes.  Follow the path away from the building and around the western edge of the island a tenth of a mile to a rock beach looking out on the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose.  From here, choose your path:  you can retrace your steps back to the parking area, or continue around the island drifting on and off of old unmarked woods roads that abound around the island.  It’s difficult to get lost here, but be careful and stick to the shoreline for the best views.