Hike the Heights 2024

Every year, on National Trails Day (the first Saturday in June), Hike the Heights has provided a way to explore the paths through northern Manhattan’s Parks.

This year, you can start the hike early, with a gentle pre-hike head-to-toe stretch-and-strengthening class. Trust Founding Board member and certified fitness instructor Nancy Bruning leads the pre-hike, which is actually the Saturday version of the aptly called Forest Fitness class.

This class meets at the entrance to the Heather Garden, at Margaret Corbin Circle at 8:30 AM, does a warm-up at Linden Terrace, and swoops around the westernmost path with breathtaking river views, and then down the hill to the Anne Loftus Playground at Broadway. The class ends at 9:30, during which you can take a coffee and/or bathroom break. We re-assemble across the street from the playground, at the RING Garden at 9:45, and leave a 10 AM sharp for the hike across Dyckman Avenue to Swindler Cove. We then hike through Highbridge Park, (note: it’s hilly and has stairs), to the Sunken Playground at 165th Street for the After Party–food, beverages, crafts, music, dance, restrooms, water fountain, and more.

Times and distances:

• Heather Garden to Ann Loftus Playground – 1 mile (8:30- 9:30 stopping for stretches). Near buses and A subway.
• RING Garden to Swindler Cove – 1 mile (10-11:00, stopping for traffic lights and Swindler tour). Near Buses and #1 subway.
• Swindler Cove to Sunken Playground -2 miles (stopping or oohing and aahing at the breathtaking views). Near buses and A/1 subway.

Here’s the link to the website: