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Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose

Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose

Moderate

4.6

(2599)

13,262

riders

Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose

01:10

17.4km

400m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 5, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 8.52 km for 173 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.13 km

Bear Mountain State Park South Entrance Road

Highlight • Climb

Be careful when crossing the road to begin the climb up Bear Mountain.

Tip by

1.49 km

Bear Mountain Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

A 4.6 mile climb from starting near the Hudson River by 9W going all the way to the summit. The gradient is 4-5% through most of the climb with a few short but steeper sections of 7-9%. There are fantastic views that can can be seen throughout the climb as well as the summit. Depending on the time you go there can be many cars driving to the top, but they should not be going too fast.

Tip by

8.59 km

View of the Hudson River from Bear Mountain

Highlight • Viewpoint

Bear Mountain, located in the Hudson Highlands of southeastern New York, is one of the most notable landmarks on the Appalachian Trail in the state. The AT crosses directly over the summit, which stands at 1,305 feet, which is not especially high, but it is a historically and symbolically significant summit; it’s home to the oldest continuously maintained section of the Appalachian Trail, built in 1923, and features wide stone steps and paved walkways constructed by trail crews and the Civilian Conservation Corps. For many hikers, Bear Mountain is also the site of the lowest elevation point on the AT, near the Hudson River just before the climb.

From the top, you get sweeping views of the Hudson Valley, and the surrounding Bear Mountain State Park includes a lake, picnic areas, the Trailside Museum and Zoo (which the AT technically passes through), and access to nearby Perkins Memorial Tower. It’s a popular day hike, so don’t be surprised to share the trail with weekend crowds, especially in fall.

Tip by

8.75 km

View of the Hudson Highlands from Bear Mountain

Highlight • Viewpoint

At its peak, Bear Mountian is just shy of 1,300ft in elevation on a 4.5 mile stretch of beautiful paved road - a tiny mole hill compared to some of the world’s most famous climbs. However, what it lacks in grandeur makes up for having some of the best views of the Hudson highlands.

Bear Mountain is part of our Montagnes du Monde series, head over to bit.ly/3BjZq77 and claim your badge if you rode this classic.

Tip by

8.87 km

View from Bear Mountain Summit

Highlight • Summit

Long and challenging climb, but definitely worth it

Tip by

9.61 km

Bear Mountain Bridge view from Bear Mountain

Highlight • Viewpoint

17.3 km

Iona Island Bird Sanctuary

Highlight • Natural

17.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

16.7 km

471 m

206 m

Surfaces

14.3 km

2.96 km

194 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (390 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Sunday 21 June

28°C

13°C

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Description

The Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose is one of those road cycling routes that truly earns its reputation: a moderate 10.8-mile (17.4 km) ride with 1299 feet (396 metres) of climbing, achievable in about 1 hour and 9 minutes. If you're a road cyclist looking for a challenging ascent with big rewards, this iconic loop is definitely worth your time.

What to expect on Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose

As you pedal, the route leads through wooded areas with a steady, moderate grade. You'll catch glimpses of the Hudson River and the impressive Bear Mountain Bridge, building anticipation for the summit. The main Bear Mountain climb is well-paved, making it perfect for road bikes, though it's a demanding ascent. From the top, specifically at Perkins Memorial Tower, you're treated to panoramic views of the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding Hudson Highlands, with the New York City skyline visible on clear days. This ride is a true test of fitness, a 'ride of passage' for many, but the views make every pedal stroke worthwhile.

Planning your visit

Given its popularity, especially as part of events like the Gran Fondo New York, you'll likely encounter many other cyclists. The route passes through Bear Mountain State Park, which is characterized by rugged landscapes. While specific parking details for this exact loop aren't provided, planning for early arrival is always a good idea in popular areas. The best time to visit is typically during fair weather to fully enjoy the expansive views from the summit.

Trail details

Distance: 10.8 miles (17.4 km)
Elevation gain: 1299 feet (396 metres)
Difficulty: moderate
Estimated time: 1 hours and 9 minutes

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Bear Mountain Climb – View from Bear Mountain Summit loop from Anthony's Nose

Bear Mountain State Park South Entrance Road

Bear Mountain Climb

View of the Hudson River from Bear Mountain

View of the Hudson Highlands from Bear Mountain

View from Bear Mountain Summit

Bear Mountain Bridge view from Bear Mountain

Iona Island Bird Sanctuary

Nearby routes

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