New York City: Northwest Forest Loop
Dip into a towering woodland full of vines, brush, and solitude on this 2-mile loop through Van Cortlandt Park's Northwest Forest.
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Though New York City’s Van Cortlandt Park offers many opportunities to trade skyscrapers for oaks and gridlock traffic for casual strolls, perhaps none other is as silent as the 2-mile loop through the park’s Northwest Forest.
From Rockwood Drive, take the wide, paved path past the red barn full of stables. The Cass Gallagher Trail appears to the left next to a massive, black cherry tree. Follow the rocky doubletrack and disappear into the woods. The route traipses along low-lying swamps before gently climbing to a hollow full of vines and immense trees.
As the trail loops back to the south, it skirts the upper edge of the hollow. Occasional breaks in the trees reveal a tree-filled ravine to the right. Climb down the rock steps and merge onto the Cross Country, part of park-wide pathway where thousands of high-school-aged New York runners compete every year.
From here, the route follows the John Muir Trail through the tall trees of Howell Grove and before passing the Cass Gallagher Trailhead. Once at the trailhead, retrace steps back to the start at Rockwood Drive.
-mapped by MacKenzie Ryan
Mass Transit: Take the number 1/9 train to 242nd Street/Van Cortlandt Park Station and walk north on Broadway to The Frank Kelly Field Road. Bus riders can take the Bx9 or the express BxM3 to the park’s west side.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.6
Waypoints
GAL001
Location: 40.902523, -73.895258
From the parking lot, walk east toward Rockwood Drive.
GAL002
Location: 40.90254, -73.894281
Take Rockwood Drive past the stables to Cass Gallagher Nature Trail.
GAL003
Location: 40.901489, -73.893068
Turn L @ Cass Gallagher Nature Trailhead.
GAL004
Location: 40.901576, -73.892675
Go straight @ four-way.
GAL005
Location: 40.902678, -73.891617
Go straight @ three-way, passing a grove with towering boulders on the right.
GAL006
Location: 40.9042388, -73.891754
Bear L @ Y-junction.
GAL007
Location: 40.905152, -73.8915618
Continue straight @ four-way.
GAL008
Location: 40.906079, -73.891749
Bear R @ Y-junction.
GAL009
Location: 40.90822, -73.890655
Turn R @ four-way.
GAL010
Location: 40.9082378, -73.889499
After a small hill, bear R @ Y-junction.
GAL011
Location: 40.906643, -73.889627
Go straight @ four-way.
GAL012
Location: 40.9047818, -73.890741
Bear L @ Y-junction, taking the skinny singletrack.
GAL013
Location: 40.9025078, -73.890552
Bear L @ T-junction.
GAL014
Location: 40.901501, -73.890189
Bear R @ Y-junction.
GAL015
Location: 40.90081, -73.890683
After descending the stairs, turn L @ T-junction.
GAL016
Location: 40.900469, -73.890933
Cross connector path.
GAL017
Location: 40.900365, -73.891014
Bear R @ T-junction. This section of trail merges with the Cross Country Course. Road noise is prominent here.
GAL018
Location: 40.8999778, -73.891827
Turn R @ T-junction above Henry Hudson Parkway.
GAL019
Location: 40.900967, -73.892247
Go straight @ circle in Howell Grove and continue walking back to the trailhead.
Rockwood Drive
Location: 40.9024851, -73.8942897
Cass Gallagher Nature Trail
Location: 40.901439, -73.8929594
Taking an afternoon stroll
Location: 40.9020877, -73.8921601
