November 12, 2022 – New Windsor, NY
Issue: Simple – Average
Size: Roughly 2 miles
Max elevation: 705 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 450 ft.
Route sort: Lollipop Loop
Free map: Snake Hill Path Map 2022 – Scenic Hudson
Trailhead parking: San Giacomo Park, 402 Union Ave, New Windsor, NY 12553
Giant paved car parking zone – Restrooms on website
Park Closes At Nightfall
San Giacomo Park and Snake Hill are Carry-in/Carry-out areas
Particulars on a hike to Snake Hill through totally different a route:
Overview:
Snake Hill rises 700 ft above the Hudson River and is the best elevation alongside Newburgh’s boundary with the City of New Windsor. Snake Hill is the dominant function of the panorama surrounding Newburgh and New Windsor.

Snake Hill as seen from Mount Beacon – 2016
Snake Hill is an area landmark that provides sweeping views of the Hudson River and surrounding panorama from its summit. The Hill straddles the Metropolis of Newburgh/City of New Windsor. It drops off precipitously to the east, giving unobstructed views of the Hudson River, the East Hudson Highlands, the cities of Newburgh and New Windsor, Pollepel Island to the southeast, and Storm King Mountain to the south.

View from Snake Hill
San Giacomo Park is a 9-acre City Park that has the next facilities: Canine Park (Membership Required For Canine Park), Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Playground, and Restrooms. Park Closes At Nightfall.

San Giacomo Park
Historical past:
As soon as named Muchattoes Hill (A lot-Hattoos, A lot-Hattoes), which loosely translated means unhealthy or evil small hill. In native nomenclature the hill has lengthy been often known as Snake Hill from the abundance of rattlesnakes that inhabited it, although few have been seen there lately.
On the summit of Snake Hill there’s a rock outcrop known as “Spy Rock.” In response to the Historic Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, “Legends say native Indians after which colonial militia used the excessive level to look at exercise on the Hudson.”

Blue Path benches – Snake Hill
Throughout the American Revolution, patriots stored a sign fireplace in readiness atop Snake Hill to warn surrounding communities of a British invasion upriver.
Though the land didn’t face any risk of improvement, Scenic Hudson felt it was value completely defending and the chance to take action arose. Scenic Hudson paid $1.06 million for 95 acres, comprising the majority of Snake Hill, in 2004.
The paths had been constructed from 2017-2018 (completed in spring of 2018) by Scenic Hudson and volunteers. Scenic Hudson maintains the paths, once more with volunteer assist.
Because of Reed Sparling, Author and Scenic Hudson Historian for offering the data on its historical past.
Trails Overview:
There are three marked trails on the map and a paved street that cuts by way of the middle of the property. There are additionally some unmarked “social” trails as properly. The official trails are properly marked and comparatively simple to observe, though they’ll use an additional blaze or two at a few turns.

Snake Hill Path Map – 2022
The paths are marked with Scenic Hudson spherical plastic discs in numerous colours.

Snake Hill – Scenic Hudson
The Yellow Path, travels by way of the Metropolis of Newburgh property and is marked with painted rectangular blazes. The Scenic Hudson path map solely reveals the spur that results in the view which doesn’t have many blazes.

Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Hike Overview:
I first hiked Snake Hill in early September, 2022. I loved the view a lot that I got here again two extra instances since then. Snake Hill has among the finest views wherever up and down the Hudson River. Usually I’m an early morning hiker to safe a parking spot and keep away from the crowds. However this hike is best carried out after noon. Noon you ask? Sure, as a result of as fabulous because the views are, on a sunny day, the solar is true in your face as you attempt to {photograph} and/or benefit from the views. Because it was raining all by way of the night time and into the morning of this hike, I made a decision it was an excellent time to return. When the rain ended it grew to become a bit of hazy, however nonetheless these views need to be skilled to really admire them.
It is a quick Lollipop Loop with the stick being on the far finish. It may be mixed with among the different trails for a barely longer hike. We utilized the paved street for our return route after stopping on the bench view for a second time.

Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park

elevation profile – Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
The Hike:
This hike begins close to the northeast space of the car parking zone. Comply with an unmarked footpath previous the gate and switch left on the paved street. In about 180 ft, flip proper on the White Path, which is marked with three white blazes and an indication. You’ll be following the White Path for the following 1/2 mile or so.

San Giacomo Park trailhead

Flip left after the gate

Asphalt Street – San Giacomo Park

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill
The White Path climbs steadily by way of the woods spending some attention-grabbing wanting boulders which are scattered about. In about 0.4 mile, the White Path reaches a slanted rock outcrop with extensive ranging views over the Hudson River.

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill
Storm King Mountain and Butter Hill is seen to the precise. Throughout the Hudson River, an excellent stretch of the East Hudson Highlands will be seen with Pollepel Island and Bannerman’s Fortress close to its shore.

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill
There have been loads of vultures and several other hawks circling excessive above on at the present time. The communications towers seen to the left are on North Beacon Mountain.

Turkey Vulture – Snake Hill
North Beacon Mountain good of middle and the Mount Beacon Hearth Tower will be seen on the excessive level on the far proper.

White Path – Snake Hill
The White Path climbs moderately steeply, and shortly ends at a junction with the Blue Path, which is available in from the left. Proceed forward on the Blue Path, passing a rock outcrop simply off the path with comparable views as these on the White Path.

White Path – Snake Hill

White Path – Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill
In a brief distance, the Blue Path ends at a big rock outcrop fitted with two benches. This makes for an amazing spot to loosen up and benefit from the wonderful views.

Blue Path – Snake Hill
Generally known as “Spy Rock,” Legend has it that native Indians after which colonial militia used this excessive level to look at for exercise on the Hudson. Throughout the American Revolution, patriots stored a sign fireplace in readiness at this spot to warn surrounding communities of British troops’ actions.

Blue Path – Snake Hill
A superb chunk of the Hudson River Highlands will be seen from this very spot.

View from Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill

Blue Path – Snake Hill
When you find yourself able to proceed, observe the unmarked footpath instantly behind the benches out to the paved entry street and switch proper. Comply with the asphalt street because it heads northeast alongside the summit ridge, quickly passing a communications tower on the left.

Unmarked footpath – Snake Hill summit

Flip proper on the paved street

Paved entry street – Snake Hill

Communication tower – Snake Hill
When you go the tower, the street is now not paved till you get to the following tower.

Unpaved street – Snake Hill
I do not know what the aim of this contraption is. It’s a small locker strung up on this pole utilizing insulated electrical wires. By the best way it’s rigged up, it seems that it might be raised and lowered. If anybody is aware of what that is used for, please remark beneath. It was right here the final two instances that I hiked this space.

Unpaved street – Snake Hill
Quickly, the street involves a gate with one other communications tower simply past on the left. You are actually leaving Scenic Hudson property and coming into property owned by the Metropolis of Newburgh. Proceed downhill on the paved street previous the gate for about 400 ft. After passing phone pole #38, flip proper on a woods street that heads uphill briefly then turns left. That is the route of the Yellow Path regardless that you could not see any blazes. The path useless ends in about 360 ft at one other beautiful viewpoint.

Unpaved street – Snake Hill

Unpaved street – Snake Hill

Communications tower – Snake Hill

Paved entry street – Snake Hill

Phone pole 38 – paved entry street – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill
Right here the panorama is extra in depth, with views north in addition to south. The Beacon waterfront and the East Hudson Highlands will be seen throughout the river. The historic structure of Newburgh is seen down beneath to the north with the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge simply past.

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Yellow Path – Snake Hill
When you find yourself carried out having fun with the view, retrace your steps on the Yellow Path again to the paved street and switch left. Proceed retracing your steps previous the 2 communications towers and proceed downhill on the paved street. We stopped on the viewpoint with the benches yet another time then returned to the paved street, following it downhill all the best way to San Giacomo Park, the place the hike started.

Yellow Path – Snake Hill

Flip left on paved entry street

Unmarked footpath – Snake Hill summit

Blue Path benches – Snake Hill

Blue Path benches view – Snake Hill

Paved entry street – Snake Hill

Indignant boulder – Snake Hill
Evaluation:
That is considered one of my favourite views, a lot in order that I’ve hiked it 3 times in two months. We noticed two individuals on the first viewpoint on the White Path and nobody thereafter. I’m stunned that every time that I’ve hiked Snake Hill, I haven’t seen greater than a few individuals. It is a great place for a comparatively simple hike and people benches are nice. I extremely advocate this hike to people who get pleasure from Hudson Valley views.
Professionals:
Excellent views, properly marked trails, no litter (let’s hold it that manner!), not a lot foot visitors, giant paved car parking zone that feels secure to go away your car.
Cons:
None.
Take a hike!

Snake Hill from San Giacomo Park
Sources: