Take the Great Saunter Fall Challenge! [Register here](https://shorewalkers.org/join-a-saunter/) to walk 32 miles over 16 days, starting October 3rd. Help Shorewalkers support our parks by donating $10 to participate, with all fees going to the [Riverside Park Conservancy](https://riversideparknyc.org/). This walk will count for *all* of your total miles!
Enjoy a fun & challenging walk along the epic Great Saunter course *in reverse* from East Side ➔ West Side. This walk is offered as part of the [Great Saunter Fall Challenge](https://shorewalkers.org/great-saunter-fall-challenge/) [*see more below*].
Meet 7 am @ Whitehall (Staten Island Ferry) Terminal (2nd level, by the toilets). We start walking @ 7:15. *Check for transit service changes before leaving home!*
Late arrivals contact a leader; get to a location ahead of the group; tell us where to find you.
End Whitehall (Staten Island Ferry) Terminal. Congratulations! Eat & drink with us afterwards to celebrate!
Route & Pace: Starting at Whitehall (Staten Island Ferry) Terminal, we walk north along the east side of Manhattan, enjoy a short break in Inwood Hill Park, then continue south along the west side back to South Ferry. 34 miles at a brisk pace; about 12 hours including toilet & rest stops.
Note unlike the Great Saunter — an individual challenge you walk at your own pace — we will walk the Reverse Saunter together at a brisk pace.
Map use the [Great Saunter Digital Map](https://map.shorewalkers.org/) on your mobile device. Grant permission to monitor your location along the route. Use Strava or AllTrails to record your epic adventure. *We will deviate from the May Saunter route at several points.*
Rain date If heavy rain is forecast, we’ll postpone one week to October 17.
Bring drinks, hydration salts, snacks, hat, sunscreen, portable charger, and clothing layers to adjust to the day's changing temperatures. Pack sunglasses: *the sun will be in our faces for much of the day due to the reverse course*.
Snacks & Hydration water fountains are scarce — especially on the East Side. Places to buy drinks & snacks are scarce — especially after Inwood Hill Park. Plan accordingly to prevent dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc. *Alert a leader before your supplies run low*.
Toilet Stops Whitehall Terminal (before walk), St. Vartan Park (E 35th St), Carl Schurz Park (E 84th St), Frederick Johnson Playground (W 150th St), Inwood Hill Park, 72nd St., Pier 84 (44th St), Chelsea Piers, Whitehall Terminal (after walk). *Alert a leader if you need an unscheduled toilet stop*.
Drop-out points: We'll always be within walking distance of a subway. *Alert a leader if you decide to drop out*.
Preparation, Health, and Safety: Attempt this walk only after completing the appropriate fitness training in the weeks before the walk. Not suitable for slow walkers. Stay ahead of the sweep. Watch for bikes in both directions. No dogs. Pack a care kit if you're prone to blisters. *Alert a leader if you need to stop to care for your feet or attend to another health concern*.
Achtung *change your RSVP promptly if you cannot attend*. Habitual no-shows will be removed from the going list.
Look the part by getting your [Great Saunter Fall Challenge merch](https://bigfroguws.chipply.com/ShorewalkersNY/store.aspx?eid=364394&acid=1777491) at our store. *Fall Challenge participants*: remember to print your bib with any number you like.
Leader Dan D [msg on Meetup]
Co-host Sheila Chung
Many thanks to our Aug 29 & Sept 5 advanced scouting volunteers!
Event guests must sign Shorewalkers' [Waiver and Release](https://app.waiversign.com/e/659a09c1b851170012c1225c/doc/659a0cdf15c42c0012f2cdc3?eventName=Shorewalker%20Walks%202025) to participate.
