Bull Hill at Hudson Highlands

Hudson Highlands State Park,
Nelsonville Nature Preserve
Putnam Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Nelsonville Trail: Green blaze
Undercliff Trail: Yellow blaze
Washburn Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.7 Miles

Pros: Good climb and good views
Cons: Erosion and construction on Washburn Trail

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy Rosenberg
Yehudah Koblick

We had intended to do a full loop to the summit of Bull Hill, which is a good climb at about 1500 feet. However, there wasn't enough time in the end for the full loop, so we ended up changing the itinerary. We parked at the trailhead parking at Nelsonville Nature Preserve at Gatehouse Road. We took the Nelsonville Trail west for a short distance to the Undercliff Trail, climbing up the mountain on it's souther flank, passing several views on the way until we reached the Washburn Trail. Due to the time issue, combined with extremely strong winds, we decided to bail out at the Undercliff Trail.

We climbed down on the Undercliff Trail, which was highly eroded and under repair. We took the Undercliff Trail down the mountain, to the trailhead, and we then took an Uber from the parking area, back to our car. This was my first successful Uber trip in a hike to complete a longer route.

Map of the Route

Plaque at the Nelsonville Preserve

State Park Property Marker for Hudson Highlands State Park

First View on Bull Hill

Yehudah on the First View Rock

At the First View Facing East

Small Waterfall While Ascending the Mountain

Second View: Facing South with Hudson River and Constitution Island

Looking Across the River to Storm King Mountain

Me at the Second View

Facing South Towards Cold Spring

Trail Area Closed for Rehabilitation

Storm King Across the River

Me at the Second View, Facing North

Shimmy on Bull Hill

Village of Cold Spring from the Cold Spring View

Me, Shimmy, and Yehudah at the Cold Spring Overlook

Trail Rehabilitation Along the Washburn Trail near the Old Quarry

View on the Washburn Trail Across the Quarry

New Plaque at the Washburn Trailhead