The Camp Smith Trail starts at the Bear Mountain Bridge Toll House and climbs up from there.

Trails around the Bear Mountain Bridge are truly the plum region of hiking in this area. I have spoken about the Appalachian Trail ad nauseum in previous editions of Down The Trail, but I also enjoy getting off the AT from time to time to hit up some of the other trails in this region. Recently, I made the trip that I know so well to a walk I have never made: The Camp Smith Trail, located off of route 6/202 between the Bear Mountain Bridge and Peekskill, NY. I was rewarded yet again with a fantastic hike with awesome scenery of the Hudson River and mountains in this immediate area.

There are two places to park for this hike. After crossing the Bear Mountain Bridge, turn right and drive about 3-4 miles along a scenic road (Rt 6/202 East) to the Toll House Parking lot (on the left hand side). You can also park at the Camp Smith Trail Parking lot, which is about 1-2 miles on the left hand side. The Camp Smith Trail starts at the Toll House Parking Lot, and goes to Anthony's Nose, which is one of the best views around, right next to the Bear Mountain Bridge. It is a 6.8 mile hike from the Toll House Parking lot to Anthony's Nose and back. Should you park at the Camp Smith Lot, the hike is closer to 3 miles up and back.

The Camp Smith Trail packs a mean punch. Included with the great views of the Hudson River and surrounding area, are extremely steep, rocky ascents and descents that make the trip difficult at times. This is not a hike where you can average 2-2.5 miles per hour. I suggest hiking poles, plenty of water, snacks and time. The views are worth it! The payoff after the climbs and drops is definitely worth the ride.

The view from near Anthony's Nose is worth the effort.

The Camp Smith Trail kind of ducks into the woods from time to time, and exits to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains across the Hudson River. You can see the commuter train lines to NYC below, plenty of boats of different sizes making their way up and down the Hudson River. I have found this area to be my "base" for hiking. I have added this trail to several others in this immediate area that I would definitely do again. To boot, the trail has some parts that are a little unkept, but you really won't get lost because the trail, for the most part, hugs the scenic road that you traveled on to get there.

The final climb to Anthony's Nose is a real kicker; however, you will eventually get to the top. This is a top view for AT hikers coming up the mountain in the other direction. I have done that hike before, too. You can connect the Camp Smith Trail to the AT, and make your way up north through the Hudson Highlands. Should you decide to make your way south over the Bear Mountain Bridge, well, I have been there too and I have probably told you all about that area in past writings. This is a fantastic area to spend some time in the woods!

The good news is that the majority of the first part of the hike is uphill, so the return trip back to the Toll House Parking Lot has a lot of "downs" to it, so you can enjoy the views a little more, and take it easy making your way back to the start. Along with the easier return trip, you get to see the great views that you saw an hour or two earlier. I have done plenty of hikes where 6/7 miles wasn't so bad. This hike was tougher; you earn the mileage and are definitely in for a workout on this trail.

Tom Quinn is in his 32nd year as a geometry and calculus teacher at Northern Valley/Old Tappan High School. He was the Golden Knights’ girls soccer coach for 23 years, has been the boys golf coach for 12 seasons and is now back on the sidelines as the JV girls soccer coach. He took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail on January 1, 2019.

Quinn has logged a lot of miles since. He has walked the entire New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusettes sections of the AT and is about halfway through Pennsylvania. He shares some of his experiences, tips and tricks in our semi-regular Down The Trail feature.

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