Bear Mountain!
About the event
On Saturday, October 24th, we’re going to hike Bear Mountain!
See details on transportation, the full itinerary, details of the hikes we’ll do, and google maps links below!
Can join us by bus or drive there!
If by car: • Meet us at Bear Mountain Inn by 10am • Please note there’s a $10 parking fee
If by bus: • NYC to Bear Mountain: Meet at NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal Gate 405 by 7:45am (because bus tickets are first come\, first served and not for a specific date. See details below) Bus departs PABT at 8:45am. Bus arrives at Bear Mountain Inn at 10:15am • Bear Mountain to NYC: Meet at Bear Mountain Inn at 4:55pm. Bus leaves Bear Mountain Inn at 5:15pm. Will arrive at Port Authority Bus Terminal by 7pm • No bus refunds (unless roads closed)\, but can use bus tickets over next 365 days • Link to get bus tickets: [https://www.coachusa.com/travel-option/2597283/2577654/0118aed2?date=2026-10-24](https://www.coachusa.com/travel-option/2597283/2577654/0118aed2?date=2026-10-24)
• Bus is $18.40 from NYC to Bear Mountain and it’s $18.40 back (there’s also a $2 surcharge each way so the total is of $40.80)
• And oddly enough the bus ticket just says valid from date of purchase and valid through one year after the date of purchase. With that said\, please try your best to get to Port Authority Bus Terminal as soon as you can (I’ll get there by 7:30am and recommend everyone gets there by 7:45am if possible) to confirm your spot in line. Please click the reverse sign to get the return ticket. The host bought round trip bus tickets.
The full itinerary:
1. After arriving at 10:15am\, some people may want to use the restroom at Bear Mountain Inn / Restaurant 1915. And some people may want to make a beeline for Trailside Museum & Zoo by 10:30am to get free donuts and hot cocoa by 10:30am (not sure how hard the time cut-off is lol). Trailside Museum & Zoo is a 20 minute walk from Bear Mountain Inn.
2. Our way to Trailside Museum & Zoo will be the first quarter of the Hessian Loop Trail (linked below). It’s 1.5 mile and is relatively flat (so it’s considered easy). We’ll continue that trail after getting free donuts and hot cocoa.
3. After 30 minutes to an hour\, we’ll complete the Hessian Loop Trail.
4. Then we’ll head to do the Bear Mountain Loop Trail (also linked below). It’ll take 3.5 to 4 hours. We’ll be going up 1\,000 feet in about 2 miles so it’ll be moderate / hard difficulty but if you’re relatively fit it should be no problem. If folks prefer\, they are more than welcome to hang out at Trailside Museum & Zoo ($1 suggested donation and is open from 10am to 4:30pm) or the 1915 Restaurant in the meantime.
5. From 3 to 4:45pm\, a group of us will eat at 1915 Restaurant which is located at Bear Mountain Inn (where the bus dropped us off). It’ll be a separate Meetup event. If interested in joining\, please RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/borough-hoppers/events/316818677
6. We’ll make our way to the bus pick-up location by 4:55pm. The bus will pick us up by 5:15pm and we’ll arrive back at Port Authority by 7pm
Here are details of the two hikes we’ll do: • Hessian Loop Trail (1.5 miles\, 30 minutes to 1 hour\, Easy)
• [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/hessian-lake-loop](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/hessian-lake-loop)
• Bear Mountain Loop Trail (4 miles\, 3.5 to 4 hours\, Moderate/Hard)
• [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/bear-mountain-loop-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/bear-mountain-loop-trail) See photos album for screenshots of trails routes and incline
Google maps links
Port Authority: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/2BZJ4TGeeYd1onKu6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2BZJ4TGeeYd1onKu6)
Bear Mountain Inn: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/e7QiuJ73WUDEij488](https://maps.app.goo.gl/e7QiuJ73WUDEij488)
Trailside Museums & Zoo [https://maps.app.goo.gl/atcGtH3Kixm4uBCv8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/atcGtH3Kixm4uBCv8)
Of course, please reach out if you have any questions!
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