October 30, 2022 – Closter, NJ

Difficulty: Strenuous

Length: Approximately 4.6 miles

Max elevation: 535 ft. – total elevation gain approximately 841 ft.

Route type: Circuit

Map: Hudson Palisades Trails Map #109 – Web Map – Palisades Interstate Park

Trailhead parking: State Line Lookout, Closter, NJ 07624

Parking Fees: Weekend Rates: $2.50/hr. – Weekday Rates: $1.50/hr. (First hour is free at State Line Lookout)

Restrooms on site

Please note: Don’t attempt this hike if is wet or icy outside.

Details on Giant Stairs hikes via different routes:

• Giant Stairs – Hudson River Palisades – 2017
• Giant Stairs Hike – Hudson River Palisades – 2016

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Overview:

This hike explores the northern end of the New Jersey Section of Palisades Interstate Park. It incorporates a number of scenic features and, for nearly the entire distance, you are far away from the noise of the Parkway. It is also the most difficult hike in the park, as it involves not only steep climbs and descents on uneven rock steps, but also nearly a mile of walking near the shore of the river on jumbled rocks.

The image below shows the jumbled rocks and boulders beneath the State Line Lookout that comprises the “Giant Stairs.”

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Trails Overview:

This hike incorporates segments of the Long Path, the Shore Trail and an abandoned section of Old Route 9W. The marked trails are well blazed and for the most part, easy to follow. The mile long section of jumbled rocks and boulders along the Shore Trail referred to as “The Giant Stairs,” has some fresh white blazes, making it much easier to follow than the previous times that I visited. The key is to keep an eye out for the next white blaze before you move forward.

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Hike Overview:

I have done this hike on two separate occasions, using slightly different routes in July of 2016 and 2017. The rocks can get awfully hot during the summer months and in one area you are totally exposed to the elements. This time I waited for a little cooler weather at the tail end of the Fall foliage season. Even though we got an early start (8am), it wasn’t long until we encountered hordes of people along the Giant Stairs section. For the most part, almost everyone that we encountered were going in the opposite direction. My reasoning for doing this hike counterclockwise is that when the Giant Stairs section is completed, Peanut Leap Falls and the ruins of an Italian Garden makes for a good spot to relax before tackling the steep climb back up. I have yet to see Peanut Leap Falls actually flowing, but there are numerous places to sit in that area for a well needed rest.

This hike was done counterclockwise from the State Line Lookout.

As the elevation graph indicates, there is a steep descent to river level at the beginning of the hike and a steep climb back up to the top of the cliffs near the end of the hike.

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The Hike:

This hike begins in the parking area at the State Line Lookout. Proceed ahead towards the Palisades cliffs to get some immediate views up and down the Hudson River. If you get lucky, you may see a Peregrine Falcon or two perched on the cliff. When you are done checking out the views, head south along the abandoned section of Old Route 9W, with the rock wall on your left. In about 600 feet, the old section of Route 9W reaches the entrance road to the State Line Lookout. Proceed carefully ahead along the shoulder of the road. In about another 400 yards, turn left on the aqua-blazed Long Path, which heads south, parallel to the cliffs.

There is a good viewpoint over the river just to the left of the trail (use caution here, as there is a steep dropoff). Just beyond, the trail starts a steep descent on rock steps, built by the park in the early years of the twentieth century. Use extreme caution when descending these steps, as they are somewhat uneven. The steps can be particularly hazardous when wet or covered with leaves.

After crossing a small stream on a wooden footbridge, you’ll reach a trail junction. The Long Path turns right, but you should bear left, now following the blue/white-blazed Forest View Trail. A sign indicates that it is 0.3 mile from this point to the Shore Trail, but the distance will probably seem much longer. The steep descent continues, first on more rock steps, then on switchbacks, some of which are well graded, but others are rocky and uneven.

You’ll finally reach the bottom of the descent, marked by a large boulder. Here you should turn left and head north on the white-blazed Shore Trail. Soon, you’ll emerge onto an open area covered with vines.

A short distance beyond, you’ll reach a field of jumbled boulders. This is the beginning of the Giant Stairs, the most challenging section of the hike. After taking in the panoramic view to the north along the river and over the striking Palisades cliffs, bear left and follow the white blazes as they begin to climb over the rocks, paying careful attention to the white paint blazes.

For the next half mile, the trail follows a rocky path about 100 vertical feet above the river. You’ll have to use care in deciding where to take each step. In about half an hour, the trail emerges onto a huge talus field, made up of large boulders that have fallen down from the cliffs above. This is the site of the massive rockslide that took place at 7:28 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in which a large section of the cliff face broke off and tumbled down to the river. There are panoramic views across the river, and the lighter-faced rock column on the cliff indicates where the rocks fell from.

At the end of the talus field, the trail reenters the woods. In about ten minutes, it comes out on another talus slope and then, after briefly passing through a wooded section, it emerges onto a third talus slope, marked by a huge tree stump. Again, you’re afforded a panoramic view over the river, and you’ll want to stop to rest from this difficult section of the hike and enjoy the view.

The trail now descends and eventually comes close to river level. You’ll encounter one more rocky section, but this one is much easier to negotiate. After about a mile of walking on a relatively smooth footpath along the river, you’ll go through a gate in a rusted chain-link fence. A short distance beyond, you’ll reach the Peanut Leap Cascade. Adjacent to this waterfall, which is truly spectacular after heavy rains, are the ruins of the Italian Garden, built about 1900 by the sculptress Mary Lawrence-Tonetti, whose family owned an estate at nearby Sneden’s Landing.

From river level back to the top of the cliffs, you will gain about 500 feet in elevation. Rest up here, before you tackle the steep climb.

After spending some time at this interesting and beautiful spot, follow the white-blazed Shore Trail as it turns left, away from the river, and climbs on wooden steps and switchbacks. It parallels the stream leading to the waterfall for a short distance and soon ends at a junction with the aqua-blazed Long Path.

There are several ways that one can go here. We chose to continue straight onto the Long Path until we reached the northern end of the abandoned section of Route 9W.

Turn left onto Old Route 9W (a wide concrete road), and follow it back to the State Line Lookout, where the hike began.

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Review:

I’ve done this hike now three separate times with slight variations of the route. Each time it has been challenging, but lots of fun. This is a very popular hike and is best done on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Pros:

Giant Stairs rock scramble, Hudson River views, Palisades cliffs, ruins, waterfall.

Cons:

A lot of Poison Ivy along the Shore Trail.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

• New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
• Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey

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