Hiking

Hiking is a year-round activity. It can be a walk through the woods after a snowstorm in early February, the boughs of the hemlocks still laden with the new snowfall, or climbing a rocky hillside overlooking a woodland valley transformed in late October into a tapestry of russet, orange and yellow. Or it can be discovering spring wildflowers atop a hill high above the Hudson River. Sundance offers day hikes as well as hiking weekends. Some hikes are accessible by public transportation, while other hikes are reached via carpooling. Most day hikes are no more than a two-hour drive from Manhattan.

What is a typical Sundance hike?
The average length of a Sundance day hike ranges from six to nine miles. Most hikes have variations in terrain which include moderate to strenuous ascending and descending. But Sundance hikes can be as varied as a beach walk in winter, exploring a Long Island estate or climbing steep Breakneck Ridge overlooking the Hudson River.

What equipment do I need for a hike?
You need a day pack, hiking shoes (sneakers are fine for some of the less rigorous hikes) and seasonal clothing that can adjust to changing temperatures. You will also need food and water on most hikes. Special requirements (including equipment needed) for a hike will be listed in Crosswinds, Sundance's monthly newsletter or within the outing description posted to our online calendar.

How are hikes rated?
Hikes are rated beginner, intermediate or advanced depending on the length, terrain and the pace of the hike. Most hikes Sundance does are considered intermediate Most physically fit people can readily complete a Sundance intermediate hike.

How many people go on a hike?
The number of participants on a hike can vary from 3 to 30 but most hikes have between 6 and 20 people on them. Some hikes depend on carpools for transportation and space is limited by the availability of automobiles. The outing leaders may choose to limit the number of people on a hike for various reasons such as the time of the year, difficult terrain and restrictions of owners of the hiking location.

How can I find out more information about a hike?
Sundance publishes a monthly newsletter, Crosswinds, which lists upcoming outings. Each outing has two co-leaders. Contact the outing leaders for more information about a particular hike or the Hiking Team captains for more general information about hiking.

~

Hiking Photo Galleries

Breakneck Ridge

Princeton Hike

Gertrudes Nose Hike

Ramapo Day Hike

Planting Fields

For more hiking info or questions, feel free to contact the Hiking Team Captains at: hiking@sundanceoutdoor.org

Also, check out our About Us & FAQ pages

To view outing details on the calendar now, click here to join Sundance online for $40/year ($20 students): JOIN

To request a complimentary newsletter and go as a guest on up to two outings, or for general, info e-mail: info@sundanceoutdoor.org