Home ⎜Hikes & Wanderings⎜New York⎜Hudson Valley⎜Warwick Mountain

Distance: 2.9 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Dog Friendly: Yes.

Trailhead Directions: From the NYS Thruway take exit 15A, turn left onto Route 17 North and go 7.3 miles to the left exit ramp for Route 17A. Turn left at the top of the ramp and take Route 17A for 12.2 miles to the Warwick Bus Stop, where you’ll turn left. Instead of heading toward the bus circle, keep veering left onto a park road that leads to both Hickory Hill Golf Course and Warwick County Park. At the first fork, go right (you’ll end up at the golf course if you go the other way). The trailhead parking is at the end of the road after you pass through a gate. During the colder months the gate is locked so many locals merely park at the foot of the gate (without blocking it) and it’s safe to park there. Otherwise, the trailhead parking is at the end of the road adjacent to a playground and baseball diamond.

Hike Directions: This hike is unmarked but quite straightforward and accessible. From the parking area, walk uphill on the gravel path. You’ll pass the baseball diamond on your left. Stay to your right as you walk parallel to the woods, then turn right toward two benches. At the second bench, you’ll see an opening at a pond. Follow the path down to the pond and across the land bridge and head uphill. From here turn right and walk parallel to the fields, barely mid-way up the mountain. You’ll come to a fork where you’ll make a sharp left uphill. The forest suddenly opens up and you’ll pass through a section of wildfire-burned trees. Many are still alive, but have a thick black ring around the bottom of their trunks. You’ll gain elevation for a while before the trail descends steeply to the other end of the pond, the terminus of a stream. Follow the  path along the stream to an opening into the field. When you reach the field, turn immediately right and walk parallel to (and directly next to) to the woods. You’ll cross a line of brush in the field, and right after you’ll see an open trail leading into the woods on your right. Continue onto this trail as it heads uphill and to the right, once again ascending Warwick Mountain. There is only one trail all the way up, though since it isn’t maintained (except by kindly locals), it may be hard to find at two specific points. But rule of thumb going up this mountain is to just keep to the left when in doubt. You’ll reach the top of the rise, arriving at a ridge surrounded in trees. There’s a cairn marking this point but it’s small.

Scenery: 5/10