mount beacon incline railway

Hiked up the mountain with my wife on a beautiful day. The view was amazing! Make sure to bring water and some good shoes because the trail gets rocky....but it's worth it!

I've climbed this several times and the view from the top is just awesome, too see some of the ruins left behind and knowing they want to restore the Incline Railroad is worth every step up this mountain. It's a straight up climb, make sure you have hiking boots or sneaker with threads. If you have a walking stick or ski poles it helps going up and down the mountain. Pack a lunch, a few snacks and plenty of water. Once on top make sure you hike over to the Fire staircase and the reservoir. There is a emergency road at reservoir that you can hike back down the mountain if you don't feel comfortable hiking back down the same way you came up. However the exit from this road is about a mile away from entrance of Incline. Best time to start climb is in the morning

This is an awesome hike. Some have rated this hike as moderate, I hike every weekend and I rate it as a bit challenging. Once you have completed the uphill hike the view of the lower Hudson Valley from the top of Mount Beacon on a perfect day is breathtaking. . In the summer you can see the Hudson River lined with sailboats. This is also the vision in the fall, but add in the absolutely beautiful foliage. It is picture perfect! While in beacon don't forget to take a few hours down on Main street where you will find quint shopping and restaurants to fit any palette. Be sure to come back for Dia:Beacon art museum if you can't fit all of it in on one weekend..

Once you pass the ruins of the Incline Railway and the Beacon Hotel, there are some back-country trails where you can feel free to swing in the breeze. I prefer to pass the firetower trail as well as almost no one goes beyond that. Check the sattelite view on Google Maps and you should be able to bushwhack to some unmarked clearings where you will be free to take do some naked tanning. Remember, i tis better to be above a trail than below a trail as hikers usually look down while hiking. There are also a few opportunities to skinny dip in the reservoir if you look for secluded coves.Nudity is not officially sanctioned on these trails so practice at your own risk. New York is a top-free equality state so it is completely legal for men or women to hike topless.

I have been hiking Mt. Beacon for 40+ years...before and after the trolley stopped operating. Awesome view at the top to the trolley and at the Fire Tower. I never get tired of it.

It's a bigger commitment than you might think, hiking to the top of Mount Beacon; but it's worth every step. Autumn is particularly beautiful and much cooler, it's the perfect time to top this hill. A lot of people use walking sticks of various sorts, you might consider bringing one along. Portions of the trail are wet and in the fall loose leaves covering rocky portions of the trail can be slippery so watch your steps. Speaking of steps, the first portion of the trail is a long staircase.The views from the top are breath-taking. The architectural remains of the incline powerhouse, hotel and casino at the top are just one more reason to make the trek. It's good for your health as well.

You'll be walking uphill for a mile...but the view is worth it! The hike is not extraordinarily taxing, but being prepared helps.1. It is a rocky climb. You'll benefit from bringing hiking poles/sticks if you have them.2. Bring water and sunscreen. Also, a bandanna or something to wipe sweat away.3. Wear sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes.4. The viewpoint at the top is a nice place for lunch.5. Bring a camera....great views.It took us 45 minutes to walk to the top (30 coming back).Plan for 2 hours, depending on how much time you want to hang around at the top.Enjoy!

Not a simple hike, but a rewarding one. It's all up on the way there, starts with stairs, lose rocks, switchbacks, bigger rocks... The views are great, during the warm weather the trains have plenty of cover to keep you out of the sun and multiple spots with views to take a break as you go. The place of the old casino at the tops is the real pay off, great views from many angles.Definitely recommend this hike if you are in the area.

Have not done the hike up but did ride the incline back in the 1970's. It was a great seat of your pants thrill ride the cars shaked and groned there way up the mountain you wondered the whole trip if the cars or track would fall apart before you reached the top. nice to see plans are afoot to rebuild.

The railway doesn't really exist anymore, but there are about 200 stairs at the bottom and then a trail to the top. It takes about an hour to get to the top (depending on how may breaks you take/what shape you're in). You can come down the same way (front) or take the long way down the back, past the resevoir. The City of Beacon gets their water from it. On a clear day you can see NYC from the tower and almost all the way to PA and the majority of the Hudson Valley and Highlands from the foundation of the old hotel. There is a grassroots group that is raising funds to get the actual railway back in service. While it ran, it was the world's steepest railway incline. I can remember as a kid going up it; it was a funicular. As one car came down it helped pull the other car up. They passed in the middle. I hope they get it going again, if nothing else for nostaglia. Enjoy!

A great service and small non-profit. Highly support their endeavor. Recommend reconstructing the railway!

The hike up is steep and challenging if you are not used to hiking but definitely worth it for the view at the top. The trail is well maintained and marked. Very nice flat area at the top perfect for a picnic. Don't forget the camera.

This is a very popular hike in the area. It is easy enough for anyone to get up, but challenging enough for those who want a workout. Once you get to the top you can see from Storm King to Poughkeepsie on a clear day.

The Beacon Incline railway is now in ruins. It used to take people to the top of Mt. Beacon where ther was a hotel and casino, now in ruins. The hike to the top, however, is worth the walk.

It would be good to see it restored, but given the economy, I will not hold my breath. The hike up is wonderful, and the view from the top s superb.