New York Walk Book: A Companion to the New Jersey Walk Book

Given a previous reviewer's assumption it should be noted up front that this book does not encompass the whole of the state as the title might suggest. This work is published by the NY-NJ Trail Conference, an organization whose scope within NY doesn't extend past the Catskills. That being said this Seventh Edition of the New York Walk Book, first published in 1923, is a personally favorite guidebook for the Hudson Highland and Great Valley counties. On offer are well written descriptions of numerous hikes detailed with relevant mileages, key milestones or visual markers, geologic, historic or cultural features as well as simple drawings illustrating these features. Included is an excellent two page geologic map of the overall area color matched to period and structure type for basic comprehension of the evolution of the area, e.g. the Manhattan Prong being early Paleozoic and mostly metamorphic it is among the older and more, literally, rock solid areas in contrast to the unconsolidated sediments of Pleistocene era Long Island. An index compiles compact reproductions of the Trail Conference's well regarded topo maps for all the subject areas. While they could suffice in a pinch, these maps are not a viable substitute for the full size topographical hiking maps available from the TC but they're a welcome inclusion for reference while studying entries.Since Amazon doesn't provide a "look inside" for this book here's a quick run through the table of contents: 1.Trail Development; 2. Suggestions for Hikers; 3. Mountain Ecology; 4. Geology; 5. New York City; 6. Long Island; 7. Westchester Cty; 8. Fahnestock SP; 9. East Hudson Highlands; 10. Dutchess Cty; 11. Southern Taconics; 12. Catskills; 13. Shawangunk Mts; 14. Schunemunk Mt; 15. Storm King & Black Rock Forest; 16; Bear Mt - Harriman SP; 17. Rockland Cty; 18. Sterling Forest; 19. Long Distance Trails; plus Further Reading, Index & Maps.Field note: this is a fairly thick (approx 1.25") paperback book that I find too big to take on hikes; for me it's a primary home resource before hitting the trail.

Given the title of the book, I was assuming that it would contain trail descriptions for all of New York State, but it only covers the metropolitan area of the state and it does NOT cover the Adirondacks as the other review claims (nor Finger Lakes or western New York etc.).This is a list of places this book actually covers (from the back cover): New York city, Long Island, Westchester County, Fahnestock State Park, East Hudson Highlands, Dutchess county, the Southern Taconics, the Catskills, the Shawangunk Mountains, Schunemunk Mountain, Storm King and Black Rock Forest, Bear Mountain - Harriman State Parks, Rockland County, Sterling Forest.The trail descriptions seem very precise but there is no difficulty level/estimated time/altitude gradient, just the length is indicated.The illustrations are nice and there are some decent maps at the end.

I haven't gone to these spots yet, but the book is very imformative it seems.

I do a lot of hiking and mainly kept to the Appalachian Trail. I've recently started venturing off onto other trails and found this book invaluable for planning when used in conjunction with full size topo maps. I think every trail (just about) in New York state is in here.

Always a classic for the NY/NJ area hiking community. I highly suggest its use.

This book would have definitely benefitted from more maps.

My review may seem irrelevant because it is a review from 62 years ago. I bought a copy of the 1951 edition of the NY Walk Book in Jan.1952 from the American Geographical Society via parcel post. It was $2.50 I think, as I lived in Elizabeth, N.J. I was almost ten years old, and determined to see those great woods that I knew were just outside the city. My copy of the NY Walk, which I still own here in Portland, Oregon, became my bible and my guide, and my teacher to all things relevant to the hinterlands within about 60 miles of Times Square. This book got me connected to groups of like-minded people of every type, Adults!; because as a kid I needed the adults to take me hiking. I became the first junior (child) member of the Union County Hiking Club. And so, I'm sure, this is just one nice outcome of having bought the New York Walk Book. I still love to read its encyclopedic details. Rating this wonderful book is easy; a firm five stars..Jerseyguy.