Home⎟Hikes & Wanderings⎟New York⎟Hudson Valley⎟Sterling Forest⎟Allis Trail

Distance: 10 miles (out & back)

Time: 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

Dog Friendly: Yes.

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This hike connects the Appalachian Trail with Sterling Ridge.  Starting on the Appalachian Trail at Lakes Road, it turns south on the Allis Trail, going over Sterling Mountain. While there are limited views from a handful of scenic vistas on the trail, there is beautiful lookout on top Tuxedo Mountain, about 100 feet off the Allis Trail just minutes before the southern terminus of the trail at Route 17A. Consult the directions at the bottom of the page for more information. 

Trailhead Directions: From the village of Greenwood Lake, go north on Lakes Road toward Monroe for 3.75 miles.  A pull-off on both sides of the road indicates the trailhead parking area. If you pass a powerline overhead, you’ve gone too far.

Hike Directions: Head East on the Appalachian Trail for 4 miles, passed Fitzgerald Falls, to a junction with the blue-blazed Allis Trail.  At 2 miles you reach the summit of Prospect Mountain. At 2.41 miles you’ll cross an old woods road, where a white-blazed trail is seen to the left.  Continue straight on the blue-blazed Allis Trail where at 4.93 miles, it meets 17A, or after 4.15 miles, enjoy a short bushwack to a lookout over Sterling Forest.  After reaching 17A or the bushwack, turn around and retrace your steps back from the Allis Trail to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, and make a left, toward your car parked on Lakes Road.

Short Bushwack to Lookout on Tuxedo Mountain: At 4.15 miles (or 5.71 miles heading back), turn directly toward 17A and carefully cross to the other side. If you continue into the woods for 40 feet you’ll come to an exposed rock overlook. From here you can see Sterling Forest Lake, Schunnemunk Mountain, Bare Mountain, Cedar and Tiger Mountains and on a clear day, New York City.  After taking in the view, retrace your steps back to the Allis Trail.

Scenery: 8/10 with short bushwack, 7/10 without.