Dunderberg Mountain and the Timp Hike

WARNING/DISCLAIMER: Hiking can be dangerous and the information furnished below may contain errors!

Dunderberg (and Bald) Mountain and The Timp Hike

Hiking Notes

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 5.5 - 7 hours (group)
Difficulty: strenuous (over 1500' total elevation gain)

Take the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (RD, red blazes) which is found just south of the parking area. The Timp-Torne trail (blue blazes) also starts at the same place on the road but we are only interested in the RD trail for the next few miles.

You will pass the Cornell (blue blazes) and 1777 Trails (red blazes) but continue straight on the RD trail. The Timp-Torne Trail (blue blazes) will merge with the RD trail, continue straight on the RD trail. At the intersection of trails at the base of the Timp, only blue blazes may be visible, follow the Timp-Torne (blue blazes) up the Timp and not the 1777 trail's blazes.

The turn-around point is "The Timp" (you can't miss it!), reached soon after the Timp-Torne Trail (blue blazes) merged with the RD trail.

Retrace your route from the Timp, veering onto the Timp-Torne Trail (TT, blue blazes). Stay on the TT trail until you reach the road. Your car will be up the road northward (make a left and walk a small distance).

Suggested lunch spots are either the top of Bald Mountain or The Timp (better view but later in the hike).

References: NY-NJ Trail Conference Trail Map #119 (Northern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails)

Driving instructions from NYC

Take the George Washington Bridge to the Palisade Interstate Parkway North, exit at exit 15, turn left (eastward) towards Stony Point (Route 210 East which is also State Route 106 East at this point), at the end of Route 210, turn left onto Route 9W North (if you went straight by accident you would enter a shopping center).

After about 4.4 miles watch carefully for a Dead End sign on the right side that says Jones Point below it. Park in the parking lot on the left side of Route 9W (opposite the Dead End sign/turn-off for Jones Point). You will pass a large ship anchor monument on the right before reaching the parking area (GPS: N 41.28109, W 073.96301).

If you pass the entrance to Bear Mountain State Park, you have gone a few miles too far (turn around and go back south on Route 9W and look carefully on the left for the Dead End sign that says Jones Point below it). The total driving distance from NYC to the trail head is about 44 miles.

Public Transportation

From the Port Authority in New York City there is a bus that leaves people off on Route 9W near Jones Point and the trailhead.

What to Bring

Other Useful Information

We are meeting, promptly, at 8:00am in front of TBA. Drivers should double park their cars in front of the building (please gas up BEFORE coming). All passengers are expected to contribute their fair share towards gas, parking fees, and tolls. We will return to the city in mid to late afternoon. Rain cancels the trip. By the way, there are no public rest rooms at the trail head or on the trail.

Questions: Michael Brochstein


The ship's anchor you will pass just south of the parking area. (August 2001)


The parking area. (August 2001)		View of Route 9W (looking north) with the parking area on the left and the dead end road to Jones Point on the right. (August 2000)


The dead end road going to Jones Point opposite the parking area. (August 2001)		A "nuclear" view from the Timp-Torne Trail (July 2005).


360+ degree panoramic view from Dunderberg Mountain . While not obvious from this photo, excellent views are available of the Hudson River and surrounding area (note same backpack on both ends of photo). (July 2005)


270 degree panoramic view from "The Timp". New York City's skyline can be discerned in the distance on a clear day. (June 2004)

Last updated: 2/2008