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Affording some of the most specatacular views of the Hudson Valley, Breakneck Ridge is well worth the train ride. Add in the historic town of Cold Spring and the pleasant climb of the hard wooded Bull Mountain and you have a fantastic day out.

Difficulty: Medium to Strenuous

Public Transport to Trailhead: Metro North to Cold Spring on the Harlem/East Hudson Line. The train ride takes approx 1.15 hours. Click here for Metro-North schedule. On Saturday and Sunday Metro North offers additional service to or from Breakneck Ridge 2 miles north of Coldspring.

The first mile of the trail is straight up. Wear loose trousers and be prepared to boost yourself with your hands. Simply follow the white flashes and for those who wish to avoid the cliff-face and steepest parts look for the alt route marked with an X. The lookouts are stupendous and well worth the physical effort.After reaching the summit and following the undulations for a short while you will encounter a rock with three red squares on white flashes. This is a shortcut and gently descends back to Route 9D. After 0.5 miles it intersects with the yellow-blazed Wilkinson Trail – left to 9D & right to Sunset Point.

If you wish to complete the loop continue on the Breakneck Ridge trail to Sunset Point and there catch the yellow-blazed Wilkinson’s trail back to 9D