Location – Alpine, NJ

Activity – Hiking

Tips: Follow the markings on the trees and rocks. Stay on the path, if you get lost do not freak out, take a deep breath and pull out your Google Maps. Stay hydrated and do not go two hours before the sunset.

Sometimes living in the New Jersey or the New York tri-state area, we get tired of the city life and need a breath of fresh air from nature. One place where I can get both a glimpse of the city and nature, is at Palisades Interstate Park. Located on the borderline between NJ and NY, in Alpine, New Jersey, Palisades Interstate Park has many hiking trails of all different levels. Being new to the hiking scene, I thought hiking would not be so bad since I am an active girl. I was so wrong. I also just realized that I went on the hardest trail for a beginner.

This trip started off by my oldest sister wanting to go on a “small” hike on one the hottest weekends this summer. So I thought, why not? If it cools around 6PM we should be able to do this “small” hike. Once again I was so wrong.

So our friend “Moose” picks us up and we head to the park. Driving to Palisades Interstate Park, make sure to take the exit between exit 2 and exit 3. Palisades has its own individual exit.

We get to the park around 6:30 PM. Parked in a parking lot that overlooks the Hudson River and Yonkers, New York. We hop out of the car and start our “easy” hiking journey.

“Moose” told us we have to walk on a road, until we find a path between two rocks. Five minutes down the road we found it! There should have been a sign there as well. We walked down the path for a couple of minutes until we found stairs that lead to another path. The stairs are very steep and some were either cracked or broken.

I began getting nervous because I am a very clumsy human being. I trip, fall, and run into things very easily. So walking down those steep steps I thought, “If I fall down these stairs I am sure I will not make it.” I realized I needed to suck it up and be brave!

After the steep stairs another path will appear. Now this is where I got the nature vibe. I enjoyed all of the lush green trees, the sounds of birds, insects, and the Hudson River waves. However, since the highway and New York is not that far away. Expect to hear car horns, people partying on boats, and then realizing that the city is not too far.

After walking on a path for quite a while, the path becomes quite rocky. These are not any small rocks that you will encounter on the path. They are huge rocks that you have to climb through to get to the other side. The rock climbing process does take a lot of balance skill and energy.

However, it was my favorite part of the whole hike! I did not mind getting scratched up and getting dirty with nature. Although, be very careful on which rocks to step on. Some rocks are loose and unsteady.

We got very tired on the rocks that look over the Hudson River. It was quite beautiful taking a water break, sitting on these rocks and absorbing the beauty we have in this world. It makes you feel thankful for everything you have and all of your surroundings.

Do not take too long of a break, once the heart rate slows down again it is harder to get back up.

After a small break and catching our breath, we climbed even more rocks. This took at least an hour of the hike. We had to make sure we were staying on the path and following the white marks on the trees and rocks.

After a very long hour and the sun starting to set down, we got onto the path again and used our flashlights to guide our way. I would never recommend anyone to go to Palisades Interstate Park two hours before the sun sets. Our eyes were adjusting to the darkness.

We climbed rocks, tripped over some sticks, got lost in the dark forestry woods, interacted with a snake, which hissed at me. We climbed up more stairs – halfway dead.

We did get lost, and took some wrong turns. There was even a point where we had to use our own intuition on which ways to go. However, we made it out alive!

Now, my hike at the end may sound pretty awful, however it was the best hiking experience I have ever done. It took us 3.5 hours but we made it. I would agree to go back again any day.

Here is some special advice when hiking at Palisades Interstate Park; best time to go is early in the morning in either spring or fall season. I also hear it is beautiful around that time, being able to see small waterfalls. Stay hydrated, eat an energy meal an hour before coming or bring snacks that will provide energy. Follow the marking on the trees and rocks. Make sure to stretch afterwards; my body was extremely sore for two days.

Last but not least, never go on a hike with my sister, who decided to bring two water bottles for three people.