I love how New York City offers different things to do according to the season. But I also love to take advantage of public transportation to enjoy day trips nearby – and the possibilities are endless year-round. We recently decided to go hiking – without the hassle of renting a car, so after some research, we decided to take the MetroNorth train to Cold Spring. We had a blast – and I decided to share more about this adventure here on the blog so maybe it can inspire someone to do the same.
Where is Cold Spring?
Cold Spring is a village located in Putnam County along the Hudson River, about 50 miles north of New York City. Besides the charming small-town atmosphere, Cold Spring is surrounded by nature – including some of the best hiking trails near New York City. One of them is the Bull Hill Trail – with the possibility of completing a full loop or a short loop.
Cold Spring is behind me on this photo 🙂
How to get to Cold Spring
You can get to Cold Spring by taking the MetroNorth train (Hudson Line) departing from either Grand Central or Harlem 125th St. The journey takes around 1h15. I highly recommend downloading the app MTA train time to check the schedule and to buy your tickets.
When you arrive in Cold Spring, you will see hiking signs – but just put “Washburn Trail on Bull Hill Parking Lot” on your Google Maps and follow the route. It will take you around 15 min to get there. It’s a lovely walk through a quiet street. Upon arriving in Cold Spring, you will see public restrooms. And there are also public restrooms at the bottom of the mountain.
There is also a “shuttle” in Cold Spring that you can take from the train station to the start of the trail. The Cold Spring Trolley operates on Saturdays and Sundays (Memorial Day to Veterans Day Weekend). You can check more info here. We didn’t use it because the schedule didn’t match our arrival time.
Bull Hill Trail
The Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) Trail is a popular hiking destination in Cold Spring, NY. It offers a moderately challenging hike with rewarding views of the Hudson River and surrounding areas.
- The Short Loop is a 4.3-mile loop trail, and it takes an average of 2h25 min to complete.
- The Full Loop is a 5.4-mile loop trail, and it takes an average of 3 hours to complete.
Of course, it all depends on your pace – and you should consider the stops to take photos and eat (especially if you are doing the full loop). We did the Short Loop, and it took us 2h45 min to complete, and we only stopped for photos and to give water to our dog.
What to expect from the Bull Hill Trail
- Beautiful views of the Hudson River and surrounding areas – probably the best thing about this hiking is the beautiful views! I was impressed, and I couldn’t help but wonder how beautiful it must be in the Fall. I want to go back if I have a chance.
- Difficulty: Moderate. The trail includes some steep sections and rocky terrain, but it is manageable for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.
- Ruins: towards the end, you can explore the remains of an old stone quarry and the Cornish Estate, also known as the Northgate Ruins.
- Nature – at some point, you will encounter a beautiful brook with a cute bridge as well.
- Signs – the whole trail has great signage – but you need to pay attention. Two or three times, we got off the trail. I had downloaded the map from AllTrails app, so it was easier to get back on track.
- Dog-friendly – this hiking trail is dog-friendly – but dogs need to be leashed.
- Parking: in case you decide to drive, there is a small parking area at the trailhead, located off Route 9D, just north of Cold Spring.
Also, I guess everybody knows this, but be prepared. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and don’t forget your sunscreen. Sunglasses and hats are also a great choice And, of course, bring water and snacks.
Things to do in Cold Spring
We took the MetroNorth train at 8am, and arrived in Cold Spring at 9:15. By 12:30pm, we had finished hiking, and since it was a beautiful day, we decided to enjoy some time in the town.
- We had lunch at Le Bouchon, a French restaurant in Cold Spring with classics from the French cuisine and outdoor seating.
- We also grabbed a delicious ice cream at Moo Moo’s Creamery – I didn’t have high expectations, but this ice cream was delicious!
- I highly recommend the Cold Spring Pier, with beautiful views of the Hudson River.
- Another nice spot is Rincon Argentino. They have coffee, gelato and Argentinian delicacies, like alfajor and empanadas
- You should definitely stop by Cold Spring Apothecary. The Tonka Bean + Birch candle is my favorite candle ever.
- Boscobel House and Gardens is a historic house museum located nearby in Garrison, featuring beautiful gardens and a stunning view of the Hudson River. It’s not far from Cold Spring – and the Cold Spring Trolley has a stop there.
- Breakneck Ridge is another hiking trail in Cold Spring.
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And that’s all! Would love to know if you have any recs on other great things to do around NYC without a car!
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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