Scramble over the Giant Stairs – a long section of huge boulders that have tumbled from the Palisades – while enjoying views over the Hudson River into New York.
4.3 miles – Challenging due to scrambling. Surface ranges from flat to very rocky plus nearly a MILE of scrambling over large boulders.
Very steep down and back up from the Shore Trail. Steep cliff drop-offs. Not a great option for dogs and some kids. Avoid when wet or icy.
- Shorter: ~2.8 miles – Reverse the route, out-and-back to Peanut Leap Cascade, skipping the scramble.
- Option: Loop can also be done in the opposite direction.
- Longer: ~10-11 miles – Add Alpine to Forest View to the loop.
- Nearby: Alpine to Huyler’s Landing; Tenafly Nature Center and Lost Brook Preserve.
Our two cents:
Fun and unique hike that features the largest rock scramble available in New Jersey… and for this reason, this hike is certainly not everyone’s cup-of-tea.
Be sure to check out the photos and especially the video before tackling this one.
This is an extended section of scrambling – nearly 1 mile – as opposed to the normal short bursts found in New Jersey.
If you use trekking poles for the steep descent/ascent to the shoreline, be sure to have a way to stow them or strap them to your pack – you need both hands to be free on the Giant Stairs.
Sadly, the rocks sport a fair amount of graffiti – just try to mentally Photoshop that out as you hike. Bonus: Pop into the State Line Café for post-hike food… you earned it.
Updated: 3/2022 – Added photos, minor edits, not re-hiked.
Related: Challenging Hikes in NJ overview page.
Map:
Hudson Palisades Trails is best, but the park site has detailed maps too.
Books:
Hike of the Week and Hiking New Jersey (2023) have similar routes with more detailed descriptions and map diagrams. A slightly longer variation (from a lot accessible to public transport) is in Take a Hike New York City.
Parking: N40.98849° W73.90704°
State Line Lookout, Closter, NJ 07624. NJ Turnpike north towards Fort Lee/George Washington Bridge to Palisades Interstate Parkway to State Line Lookout exit.
Large paved lot. The trailhead is in the far left corner when pulling into the lot.
Related: Waterfalls in NJ / Best Waterfall Hikes in NJ
Restrooms:
In the State Line Café when open (9:30 AM – 5 PM, 7 days a week). Portable toilets by the trailhead (as of 11/2021).
Hike Directions:
Overview: Long Path (TEAL) – Forest View (BLUE over WHITE) – Shore Line (WHITE) – Long Path (TEAL)
First, you might want to wander across the parking lot to the stone walls for sweeping views across the Hudson River to NY and down to see a section of the Giant Stairs below.
The hike ends over here but it’s a nice to see it at the start too. Head back over to the trailhead to start the hike.
0.0 – The trailhead is in the far corner of the lot. Start following the Long Path (TEAL).
Shortly, turn LEFT and continue following Long Path (TEAL). [Trails may also have letters that are markings for ski trails. “A” also continues straight].
0.4 – Continue following the Long Path (TEAL) as it turns left and then crosses the park road. On the opposite side of the road is a trail sign with Forest View in .1 mile.
Shortly, a viewpoint is on the left with the cliffs and NY visible.
Continue following the Long Path (TEAL) as it heads steeply down stone steps that are so worn they sometimes feel slanted.
0.6 – Walk over a bridge and turn LEFT to now follow Forest View (BLUE over WHITE). A sign notes .3 to Shore Trail.
The trail continues down steep stairs and switchbacks.
0.9 – Turn LEFT to now follow Shore Line (WHITE).
The Shore Line trail gets right up to… the shore line.
1.2 – Giant Stairs start. Varying degrees of rockiness, sometimes in the forest and other times in open areas with views of the cliff face towering above and the river below.
Keep an eye for the WHITE blazes of the Shore Line trail to guide you to the best route. In the photo below it is center, about 1/3 from the top.
Looking up the cliffs of the Palisades from the Shore Line trail. The light colored rock is from the last rockfall in 2012.
The Giant Stairs is sometimes in forest and sometimes out in the open.
This is actually just one section of The Giant Stairs:
On the Giant Stairs, looking back (south) at where you just were.
The jumble of rocks continue.
The rocks come out near the shore of the Hudson River.
Back to a normal hiking trail.
2.3 – Continue on Shore Line (WHITE) as it goes through a break in a fence to cross into New York.
2.8 – Near the water is a bench and a swing hanging from a tree (go ahead and give it a whirl – we know you need to).
Nearby are ruins and Peanut Leap Cascade. The waterfall varies greatly depending on recent rainfall and can be bone dry. There was a decent amount of water flowing in November 2021, but it can be much more than this:
While in July 2017 Peanut Leap Cascade was just the slightest trickle:
Fun Facts: The remains of stone walls and steps are from when this area was privately owned. In the early 1900’s Mary Lawrence-Tonetti built an Italian-style garden with a pool at the base of the falls and a pergola with a grape arbor. [Source/Read more: “The Cascade” via njpalisades.org]
Continue on Shore Line (WHITE) as it goes up the steps of the ruin and continues steeply uphill.
3.1 – Turn LEFT and now follow Long Path (TEAL) over a small boardwalk bridge.
This intersection was not marked when we hiked it. [Shore Line (WHITE) ends. Long Path (TEAL) also goes right.]
Keep following the Long Path (TEAL) as it heads uphill, sometimes on stone steps.
3.4 – “High Gutter Point” – a rocky outcrop with views across the Hudson.
Cross back into New Jersey shortly after (there is a border monument nearby but we managed to not notice it).
4.0 – The Long Path (TEAL) merges onto the old park road for a bit.
The Long Path (TEAL) veers to the right, off the road – but continue on the park road to end up at State Line Lookout to check out the view again.
Back at the State Line Lookout area, looking north and down at part of the Giant Stairs:
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Hiked: 7/30/17.