Only true nature enthusiasts can truly appreciate that, after spending three months in the city, my body was yearning for its dose of adventure, greenery, and a deeper connection with Mother Earth. That’s when someone introduced me to the enchanting “Blue Mountain Reservation,” nestled in Peekskill, Upstate New York.
Peekskill, situated approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City, is accessible via the Metro-North RailRoad departing from Grand Central Terminal. The journey takes just over an hour, and as is often the case in the United States, the towns on the outskirts of major cities exude a sense of serenity and tranquility. They are excellent places to escape the routine and rediscover nature’s beauty.
I fondly recall my first visit to this place, which was in the company of some family members. We inadvertently took a scenic detour, adding about 40 minutes to our journey. Although we eventually reached our destination, Blue Mountain Reservation, we didn’t have as much time to explore it as I had hoped. The group was fatigued from the unexpected detour. Since then, whenever I venture to a new place for the first time, I prefer to go solo. This way, I can fully immerse myself in the experience without worrying about navigation. I enjoy that sense of “discovery”; getting ‘lost’ in an unfamiliar place presents a thrilling challenge, a chance to uncover new facets of the world that make me feel truly alive. However, I understand that not everyone shares this perspective, which is why I’m here to provide you with all the necessary information to ensure your visit to “Blue Mountain Reservation” is seamless and allows you to savor this remarkable place to the fullest.
How to get to Blue Mountain Reservation by train?
- You’ll need a train ticket to get to Peekskill. You can purchase the ticket through their app, which you can find on the App Store or Play Store. It will provide you with an e-ticket, or you can buy the ticket directly at Grand Central Terminal.
- You can check the train schedules either on the app or here.
- The distance from the station to the Blue Mountain Reservation entrance is 1.4 miles (2.3 km), which will take you approximately 30 minutes to walk. Here is the route I took.
- When you’re in Blue Mountain Reservation, you have the freedom to choose your path. You can find a map of the area with its trails here. here, or you can follow my route on AllTrails here.
About Blue Mountain Reservation
- At the entrance of the reserve, usually there are some maps available that you can take to guide yourself inside. The digital and printed maps display colored markers corresponding to the trees in the reserve. These markers will help you identify your route during your walk.
- I’m an avid hiker, so for me, this route is suitable for beginners as there are no steep slopes, and you can choose short paths.