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Van Cortlandt Park

Hiking Trails

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NameLocationPark NameLength
Cass Gallagher Nature TrailA short walk in from the intersection of Broadway and Mosholu Avenue, near the horse stablesVan Cortlandt Park1.4 miles
DifficultyOther DetailsAccessibleLimited Access
Moderate/Difficult
NameLocationPark NameLength
John Kieran TrailEnter at Golf Course via Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Avenue.Van Cortlandt Park1.25 miles
DifficultyOther DetailsAccessibleLimited Access
EasyMaps are available at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center. Named in 1988 for the famed naturalist and newspaperman, this trail journeys through the park's lake area and freshwater wetlands, passing Tibbet's Brook via a wooden bridge perfect for birding, and forms a loop with the Parade Ground.
NameLocationPark NameLength
John Muir TrailEnter either at Broadway & Mosholu Avenue or Van Cortlandt Park East & Oneida Avenue.Van Cortlandt Park1.5 miles
DifficultyOther DetailsAccessibleLimited Access
ModerateTravel through three ecologically distinct forests on this 1.5 mile route, the only trail in Van Cortlandt Park to traverse the park from east to west. The trail will lead you through park's Northeast Forest, home to red oak, sweetgum, and tulip trees, as well as a frog-filled marsh; the Croton Woods and its sugar maple and hickory trees, as well as the Old Croton Aqueduct; and the hilly Northwest Forest, home to stately tulip, oak, and hickory trees.Limited Access
NameLocationPark NameLength
Old Croton Aqueduct TrailEnter Trail at either Dickinson Avenue & Van Cortlandt Park South or Mosholu Parkway & West Gun Hill Road. Van Cortlandt Park1.1 mile
DifficultyOther DetailsAccessibleLimited Access
Easy/Moderate[Trail renovations will begin soon. Please bear with us as we correct erosion and rebuild paths.] This segment is part of the 41-mile-long aqueduct that brought water from the Croton Dam to New York City in the 1800s.
NameLocationPark NameLength
Putnam TrailEnter the park at Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Avenue.Van Cortlandt Park1.5 miles
DifficultyOther DetailsAccessibleLimited Access
Easy This section of the 15-mile trail that runs up to Brewster, NY may be accessed by the Van Cortlandt Golf Course parking lot. Native hardwood (oak-hickory) forest, historically significant route (former railroad route that ran through the park into the 1980s!)

Directions to Van Cortlandt Park

Know Before You Go

There are currently 2 service interruptions affecting access within this park.

Barbecuing AreasVan Cortlandt Park

Due to construction at Broadway and West 242nd Street, the entrance near the subway is closed. Please access the park at the stairway adjacent to the public comfort station (Broadway & Manhattan College Parkway). There is an accessible entrance at the end of the block. The barbecuing area at Van Cortlandt Park has temporarily been moved behind the Nature Center. For more information on the progress of this construction project, please visit our Capital Project Tracker page.
Anticipated Completion: Summer 2020

Hiking TrailsPutnam Trail

The Putnam Greenway Trail is currently closed for construction. For north-south access, runners and pedestrians can use the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail (enter at Mosholu Parkway & Van Cortlandt Park South), and bicyclists and pedestrians can use Broadway. For more information on the progress of this construction project, please visit our Capital Project Tracker page.


Anticipated Completion: Summer 2020

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