John Muir Nature Trail

Take the 4 train all the way from Grand Central to Moshulu Parkway station to enjoy one of the best walks close to NYC. Because this is where you'll find Van Cortlandt Park, the 1,146-acre, eternal park of the Bronx. And fortunately for you, the John Muir Nature Trail is located on this trail and is a short five-minute walk from the subway.

Simply enter at either Broadway and Mosholu Avenue or Van Cortlandt Park East and Oneida Avenue and proceed through three ecologically distinct woodlands (from east to west). Eventually, the Northeast Forest's Sweetgum, red oak, and tulip trees will be reached, followed by a frog-filled swamp and the Croton Woods. The Old Croton Aqueduct and the Northwest Forest's hickory trees are also located here.

The average time it takes to complete the trail is three weeks. The main hiking season typically lasts from July through September; at this period, the majority of last year's snow has mostly melted but no new snow has yet to accumulate. Runners, trail riders, pack trains, and backpackers are the main users of the trail, but it is also utilized by day hikers and backpackers.

The John Muir Hut, the only shelter along the trail, is available for hikers to stay in on Muir Pass. Additionally, the John Muir Nature Trail's northern section has a number of resupply spots that are close by (Tuolumne Meadows, Reds Meadow, Vermillion Valley Resort, Muir Trail Ranch), allowing hikers to start out with a lower food load and readily leave the trail if difficulties occur.

Location: Bronx, NY
Distance: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 301 feet
Distance from NYC: About a 45-minute subway ride away from Midtown.

Rating: 4.2/5.0, 57 Alltrails reviews