New York Hiking Clubs

While the mountains may not have the height and grandeur of the Rockies or Cascades, New York does have extensive wilderness mountain areas throughout the state. The Adirondacks have 46 peaks over 4,000 feet high, as well as Mt. Marcy, at 5,344 feet the tallest peak in New York. The Catskills have over 30 peaks higher than 3,500 feet, including Slide Peak, which is the tallest in the range at 4,180 feet high. Other popular mountain regions include the Hudson Valley and Bear Mountain, and the Taconics, which border Connecticut and Massachusetts. For those who like their hiking organized, plenty of hiking clubs exist in New York, many of which are specific to certain regions.

Adirondack Mountain Club

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is a nonprofit organization that maintains hundreds of miles of trails in Adirondack State Park. The Club has 25 volunteer-led chapters throughout parts of New York, as well as one in northern New Jersey. These chapters sponsor and lead hikes in summer and winter in the Adirondacks. Some of the chapters also lead cross-country ski trips and kayaking trips in the area. Through the ADK, members can also sponsor lean-tos in the range and help with trail maintenance, cutting downed timber and building up trails. Membership in the Adirondack Mountain Club comes with an annual fee, though there are discounts for multi-year memberships and family rates.

Adirondack Mountain Club
814 Goggins Rd.
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 668-4447
adk.org

Catskill Mountain Club

Catskill Mountain Club (CMC) is a volunteer organization that promotes responsible use of the Catskills and sponsors recreation activities in the range. The club organizes hikes, climbs, paddling trips and cycling trips through the Catskills. Membership in the CMC is free, but those who join are encouraged to donate to the club to help it continue its activities. The CMC also does trail work, and members help on organized trail maintenance days.

Catskill Mountain Club
P.O. Box 558
Pine Hill, NY 12465
catskillmountainclub.org

New York Ramblers

The New York Ramblers, founded in 1923, is a New York City-based hiking club that sponsors hikes for its members every Sunday. They occasionally organize trips on Saturdays as well. Hikes are generally within a two-hour radius of New York City. Hikes are generally long, running between 14 and 16 miles and lasting six to eight hours. Up to 20 people may participate in a hike, and the club starts the day at a public transportation location such as the Port Authority Bus Terminal or Grand Central Station. The Ramblers also do trail work on the State Line Trail and part of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. Annual membership dues are inexpensive.

New York Ramblers
(212) 260-4879
nyramblers.org

Article Written By Candace Horgan

Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than 12 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the "Denver Post" and "Mix." Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.

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