June 2, 2026 – Southfields, NY
Problem: Straightforward – Reasonable
Size: roughly 3.7 miles
Max elevation: 1,180 ft.– whole elevation acquire 522 ft.
Route kind: Circuit
Map: Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails Map #119
Trailhead parking: Lake Skanatati Parking – Southfields, NY 10975
Click on right here to see Path Alerts for Bear Mountain-Harriman State Parks
Please word: Hikers ought to use warning within the neighborhood of the mines, as their deep, water stuffed pits and unstable overhanging rocks may be harmful.
Overview:
Harriman State Park is one among New York’s largest and most rugged parks, protecting greater than 47,000 acres of rolling ridges, dense hardwood forest, and greater than 200 miles of mountaineering trails. Simply an hour from New York Metropolis, it feels a world away, providing quiet lakes, rocky summits, and an enormous community of historic footpaths that weave by the Hudson Highlands. Established within the early twentieth century by beneficiant land donations, the park was designed to protect open house and supply public entry to a number of the area’s most lovely pure landscapes. Immediately, it stays a favourite vacation spot for hikers, backpackers, and nature lovers in search of each difficult terrain and peaceable escape.
Pine Swamp Mountain is a lesser-known summit within the western part of New York’s Harriman State Park. Rising to roughly 1,180 ft above sea stage, it’s surrounded by dense hardwood forest, rocky ridges, wetlands, and remnants of the realm’s mining historical past. Whereas a lot of the summit is wooded, a close-by rock outcrop alongside an unmarked path opens to far-reaching views throughout the encompassing hills and valleys, providing a quiet and sudden vantage level within the coronary heart of the park’s backcountry.
The Pine Swamp Mine is among the many most dramatic previous mining complexes in Harriman State Park, and will get its title from the adjoining wetland. It consists of a fancy of options, together with open cuts, pits, and shafts. The most important and most spectacular opening on this advanced is positioned on the hillside above the Dunning Path. There’s a horizontal passage that extends some 125 ft into the hillside. This passage slopes upward, and above its far finish is an air shaft opening to the floor. On a sunny day, gentle pours by this rock-bound skylight, illuminating the lengthy passage.
Trails Overview:
The inverted-red triangle-on-white Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Path ascends and descends the shoulder of Pine Swamp Mountain. It passes the historic Pine Swamp Mine Advanced, which dates again to the area’s 18th and Nineteenth-century iron mining increase. This path is nicely blazed and straightforward to comply with.
An unmarked footpath simply off the A-SB Path, results in a implausible view west over Lake Skannatati, Lake Kanawauke, and the western Harriman Hills. This path, though not blazed is considerably simple to comply with. Those that aren’t assured of their route-finding capability may want to skip this portion of the hike.
The yellow-blazed Dunning Path runs southwest on pretty stage floor. It runs alongside the west aspect of Pine Swamp and passes the Pine Swamp Mine to the suitable. Shortly after Pine Swamp Mine, the path reaches an space that has been flooded by Beaver exercise. There’s a quick detour (unmarked) that rises onto increased floor to keep away from the moist part. This path is nicely marked and straightforward to comply with.
The Lengthy Path descends regularly because it winds south by quiet forest, the place a collection of small stream crossings add selection to the route however have been simply manageable on at the present time. It then curves left and begins trending east, following mild terrain by blended hardwoods. Because the path continues, it regularly approaches Lake Skannatati, providing intermittent filtered views by the bushes and occasional open glimpses from close to the shoreline.
Parking & Facilities:
The Lake Skannatati parking space is likely one of the main trailheads within the western part of Harriman State Park, offering handy entry to quite a few mountaineering trails, together with the Arden-Surebridge Path, Lengthy Path, and a number of other well-liked loop routes. The lot is comparatively giant by Harriman requirements and might accommodate nicely over 100 autos, though it usually fills early on weekends, holidays, and through peak fall foliage season. Skilled hikers usually arrive early to safe a parking spot.
Facilities at Lake Skannatati embrace a big paved parking space, informational kiosks, a ship launch, fishing entry, benches, and seasonal restroom services in the course of the summer time months. The lake additionally serves as a well-liked vacation spot for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and birdwatching.
Hike Overview:
One of many benefits of this loop is that it stays largely shaded for many of its size, because of the dense forest cover that covers a lot of the route. On scorching, sunny days, the shade supplies a welcome respite from the warmth, making the hike noticeably extra comfy than many uncovered ridge trails within the park.
I final hiked this route again in 2018, when the paths have been nonetheless blanketed in snow, giving the panorama a wholly completely different character. Having explored this space extensively through the years, it had been fairly a while since I final returned. Coming again felt like rediscovering acquainted floor another time—a chance to reconnect with these winding forest paths and the quiet sense of marvel hidden all through the woods.
With that being stated, not a lot has modified through the years, other than the detour on the Dunning Path. On earlier visits, the flooded part usually changed into a cautious balancing act throughout moist floor and slick footing—not at all times with dry outcomes. Immediately, that stretch is now not satisfactory immediately, and hikers have shaped a brief detour that bypasses the saturated space on increased, extra secure floor.
This counterclockwise loop begins and ends at Lake Skannatati. I want mountaineering this loop in a counterclockwise route as a result of it tackles many of the elevation acquire early within the hike. The route then transitions right into a extra relaxed journey, ending with an satisfying stroll on the Lengthy Path because it follows the shores of Lake Skannatati again to the trailhead.
The hike begins with a considerably steep ascent, however past that preliminary climb, the terrain usually settles right into a extra average rhythm, with just a few quick steep sections breaking apart an in any other case manageable route.
The Hike:
Beginning and ending this loop at Lake Skannatati, with the calm shoreline serving as each the launch level and the ultimate reward. From the primary steps into the forest to the return alongside its waters, the lake bookends the journey with a gentle, scenic anchor within the coronary heart of Harriman State Park.
From the kiosk on the northwest nook of the car parking zone, bear proper and decide up the inverted pink triangle-on-white Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Path because it begins its ascent alongside the jap flank of Pine Swamp Mountain. The route instantly climbs on a rocky footpath, steadily gaining elevation because it leaves the lakeshore behind and enters the quieter, forested slopes of the mountain.
After about 0.3 mile, simply past a brief climb up stone steps, look ahead to a flat rock slab on the bottom. The unmarked path begins between this slab and the subsequent tree bearing an Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Path marker. Flip left right here, leaving the A-SB Path, and comply with the faint footpath because it heads west earlier than regularly curving north into the woods because it climbs Pine Swamp Mountain.
Please Observe: For those who’re not sure of your navigation abilities, you’ll be able to simply skip this part and proceed alongside the Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Path. Nonetheless, doing so means bypassing the hike’s solely true mountaintop viewpoint, a quiet reward tucked simply off the principle route.
The unmarked path results in this southwest-facing viewpoint atop Pine Swamp Mountain. Hikers are rewarded with an extended reaching view, that features Lake Skannatati shimmering within the foreground and Lake Kanawauke nestled among the many forested ridges within the distance. The layered panorama of lakes, hills, and woodlands creates one among Harriman’s most spectacular vistas.
While you’re prepared to depart this fabulous viewpoint, proceed north on the unmarked path. The footpath turns into fainter and may be tough to comply with in locations, however the open forest makes navigation comparatively simple. For those who lose the path, merely proceed heading usually north, then regularly veer east, and you need to have little bother reconnecting with the Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Path.
Please Observe: Throughout this hike, I misplaced the faint unmarked path and ended up bushwhacking roughly 520 ft east by open woods to reconnect with the Arden-Surebridge Path. I used the Avenza Maps app to substantiate my location and navigate again to the marked route. Hikers trying this aspect journey must be comfy with off-trail journey and carry a dependable map and navigation device.
As soon as again on the A-SB Path, the route descends across the northern flank of Pine Swamp Mountain, regularly shedding elevation as it really works its approach towards decrease floor.
After crossing a small stream, the path passes alongside the northeastern fringe of Pine Swamp, the place the increasing wetland is seen by the bushes.
Through the years, beaver exercise at Pine Swamp has regularly expanded the boundaries of the wetland past its historic limits. The impounded water has slowly pushed northward towards the mine advanced, flooding low-lying areas and reworking sections of the encompassing forest into marshy habitat.
Past the swamp, the A-SB Path follows the course of an previous mine highway, a reminder of the realm’s industrial previous.
Just a little farther alongside the path is a big open trench, fifty-five ft lengthy and eleven ft extensive, which comprises a number of drilling holes. Two water-filled shafts — one thirty ft by sixteen ft, with a stone retaining wall at one finish, and the opposite ten and one-half ft by ten and one-half ft — are on the north aspect of the highway simply east of the trenches, whereas a check pit and enormous piles of tailings could also be seen on the south aspect of the highway.
When this mine was energetic, there was a small village close by, with properties, barns, shops and a saloon. The foundations of a few of these constructions can nonetheless be seen alongside the A-SB Path
About 200 ft farther alongside the A-SB Path is one other bigger open trench. It’s a giant rectangular lower on a low hilltop that’s 118 ft lengthy and twenty-nine ft extensive, with vertical rock partitions which can be about twenty-two ft deep. This open lower is presently crammed with water.
In about 100 ft, the Arden-Surebridge Path crosses a stream on rocks slightly below a gorgeous cascade that’s particularly scenic after durations of rain. After crossing the stream, the A-SB Path turns proper, however you wish to TURN LEFT.
Instantly past the crossing, search for three yellow blazes on a tree marking the beginning of the Dunning Path, which branches left. These blazes may be simple to overlook, as they’re positioned to be most seen to hikers touring downhill on the A-SB Path from the wrong way.
Now on the yellow-blazed Dunning Path, the route follows an previous woods highway because it skirts the western fringe of Pine Swamp. The broad, easy-to-follow path passes by quiet forest and wetlands, providing occasional glimpses of the swamp by the bushes because it winds gently by this distant nook of the park.
After about 900 ft from the intersection with the A-SB Path, there may be an unmarked footpath to the suitable of the path, by a damaged tree. A big mine dump of rock or tailings rises steeply about fifty ft up the path, and the mine is up the hillside close by. The most important and most spectacular opening on this mine advanced is positioned on the hillside above the Dunning Path.
Pine Swamp Mine is a big open lower about 100 ft lengthy and forty ft extensive, with vertical partitions seventy-five ft excessive. Drill holes are seen on the rock partitions, together with sq. and horizontal notches. The notches have been most likely seats for timber bracing. An oblong water-filled shaft containing the stays of timbers is positioned alongside the underside of the west wall of the open lower.
On the southern finish of the lower is an adit or opening to a horizontal passage that extends some 125 ft into the hillside. This passage slopes upward, and above its far finish is an air shaft opening to the floor. On a sunny day, gentle pours by this rock-bound skylight, illuminating the lengthy passage.
The Pine Swamp Mine, a part of the Greenwood group of mines, was opened round 1830 and labored intermittently till 1880. The mine was owned by Robert and Peter Parrott, and the ore was dropped at Clove Furnace in Arden, New York for smelting.
After exploring Pine Swamp Mine, retrace your steps alongside the unmarked footpath again to the yellow-blazed Dunning Path and switch proper.
Pine Swamp is a dynamic wetland in Harriman State Park, bordered by dense forest and rocky ridges. In recent times, beaver exercise and seasonal flooding have expanded its boundaries, regularly reshaping close by woods into marsh and influencing surrounding path circumstances.
In about 140 ft, the previous woods highway turns into impassable the place the swamp has taken over the treadway, however a brief detour—roughly 175 yards—routes hikers onto increased, rockier floor. This bypass briefly climbs above the wettest part earlier than rejoining the unique path alignment past the saturated space.
The Dunning Path climbs regularly alongside a large, previous woods highway, winding by quiet forest and gently gaining elevation because it leaves the wetter lowlands behind. In just below half a mile, the route reaches a junction with the aqua-blazed Lengthy Path. Right here, flip left to proceed the loop alongside the Lengthy Path.
This junction with the Lengthy Path can simply be missed if you’re not paying consideration. For those who begin seeing Aqua and Yellow blazes (the 2 trails are co-aligned briefly), you went too far.
The Lengthy Path descends regularly on a rocky footpath, because it winds south by quiet forest, following a delicate, rolling grade beneath a dense cover of bushes. Alongside the way in which, it crosses a number of small streams, that are sometimes simple to navigate and add a pleasing rhythm to this in any other case tranquil part of path.
To the left of the path, a towering cliff face rises above the forest ground, its weathered rock riddled with crevices, cracks, and small openings that seem to supply shelter for a wide range of woodland creatures.
The path then crosses Pine Swamp Brook by stepping throughout a collection of enormous rocks earlier than persevering with east by the forest. Not lengthy after, it begins to ease towards Lake Skannatati, the place glimpses of the encompassing panorama begin to reappear by the bushes.
The Lengthy Path then emerges right into a small open space alongside the shore of Lake Skannatati, providing a pure pause level to absorb the view. It’s a peaceable spot the place the forest briefly provides method to open water, making it an excellent place to cease and benefit from the surroundings earlier than persevering with on.
A brief distance later, the Lengthy Path emerges from the forest into the Lake Skannatati parking space, bringing the hike full circle again to the place it started alongside the lakeshore.
Assessment:
It is a implausible loop hike in Harriman State Park that gives an excellent mixture of all the things—rocky climbs, quiet forest roads, wetlands, and rewarding views from Pine Swamp Mountain. The route is well-balanced, with a difficult begin that eases right into a peaceable stroll alongside the Lengthy Path by Lake Skannatati to complete.
Highlights embrace the rugged really feel of the Arden-Surebridge Path, the attention-grabbing historical past round Pine Swamp Mine, and the ever-changing panorama formed by water and wildlife. Regardless of its selection, a lot of the hike is shaded and comfy, making it particularly satisfying on heat days. The counterclockwise route works completely, getting the climbing out of the way in which early and ending on a calming word by the lake.
Professionals:
Pine Swamp Mine, nicely marked and maintained trails, wooded and shaded for many of the route, rewarding ridge and lake views, attention-grabbing historic mine options, quiet and fewer crowded sections, well-balanced elevation acquire, nice shoreline end at Lake Skannatati.
Cons:
Navigation challenges on faint unmarked path, occasional moist or flooded path areas, some detours required resulting from swamp enlargement.
Take a hike!
Sources:
Lenik, Edward J.. Iron Mine Trails . New York – New Jersey Path Convention. Kindle Version.
Myles, William J.; Chazin, Daniel. Harriman Trails: A Information and Historical past . New York – New Jersey Path Convention. Kindle Version.
Harriman State Park
