Peaks & views · Central Catskills
Wittenberg Mountain
MI 188.75 · ≈3,774 ft
Classic Catskills viewpoint
358 miles from the George Washington Bridge north through the Palisades, Harriman State Park, the Shawangunks, and the Catskills to the Adirondack foothills near Albany. Camping rules change by land manager along the way.
“Traverse Long Path Thru-Hike (NY) on the Long Path.”
Plan your Long Path Thru-Hike (NY) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Long Path
Long Path is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Long Path permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 358mi
Long Path elevation profile
George Washington Bridge (south terminus) to John Boyd Thacher State Park (north terminus)
Trailhead
George Washington Bridge (south terminus)
Southern terminus of the Long Path in New York City, per the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
Mile 0 of 358
0 George Washington Bridge (south terminus)358 John Boyd Thacher State Park (north terminus)
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- ≈-3 ft
Long Path landmarks
Map of the Long Path Thru-Hike, George Washington Bridge (south terminus) to Altamont area
3 of 3 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Long Path permit
As of November 2026, Long Path in Long Path Thru-Hike (NY), New York requires a permit issued via walk-up. Long Path rates 4/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Long Path route covers 358 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- NY
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
Official permit page →Step 1: Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued (and any fee) at nynjtc.org before your trip.
Step 2: Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served. Where the agency sets a daily quota, popular trailheads can run out on weekends and holidays.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Popular trailheads fill fast. Know alternate routes or dates.
Learn more:
More on Long Path: Live availability activityLong Path Thru-Hike permit itinerary
Guides: Long Path permit guide
The Long Path hike
- Distance
- 358 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 3-4 weeks
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
How hard the Long Path hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Long Path
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (≈-3 ft)
As of Nov 11
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Nov 12: 92% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
- Nov 13: 76% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Tue
☁️
64°
47°
Wed
☁️
64°
45°
Thu
🌧️
60°
47°
92%
Fri
🌧️
48°
41°
76%
Sat
☁️
47°
40°
30%
Sun
⛅
52°
40°
Mon
☀️
51°
41°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Long Path rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Long Path.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Long Path · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Long Path FAQ
Do I need a permit to thru-hike the Long Path?
A DEC permit is required only for camping more than three days at one spot or in a group of ten or more; otherwise no trail-wide permit exists.
How long is the Long Path?
358 miles from the George Washington Bridge to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany.
Where can I camp in the southern section of the Long Path?
Only at Cheesecote Park (permit required), within 100 yards of a Harriman lean-to, or on DEC Shawangunks land.
Can I camp above 3,500 feet on the Long Path in the Catskills?
No, camping is banned above that elevation from March 21 through December 21.
What states does the Long Path cross?
It runs entirely within New York State.
Does the Long Path have lean-tos?
Yes, in Harriman State Park and throughout the Catskills.
Who maintains the Long Path?
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
Long Path trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
If you've been on this trail recently, help others by reporting current conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Long Path.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Long Path permit
Where to stay near Long Path
- Camp Gateway- Brooklyn Ny campgroundGateway National Recreation Area
- Camp Gateway - Staten Island campgroundGateway National Recreation Area
- All New York campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
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