Inwood Hill Park Trail: Hiking Through the Concrete Jungle?

April 8,2019 | By Sovereign Associates |

Take a moment and close your eyes. Imagine New York City. What do you see? Hiking through lush green forests and being one with nature? Wait that’s not what you see? Guess you haven’t been to Inwood Hill Park yet. Well you better get going because this is one of New York’s Treasures. Unlike most other New York City parks, Inwood is home to many steep hills the boast some hiking trails. Now, if you are an extreme hiker this might not be the challenge you desire. However, for those who want to get their blood flowing and challenge themselves a little more than they would just walking down the street, this is the place to go. And with spring finally upon us, now is the time!

The park offers a multitude of trails which vary in difficulty. Some have rocky inlays that you must scamper up, while others are more relaxed and let you stroll down by the river. Inwood Park has been developed to feel more like a forest than other New York parks. There is more greenery and it feels less like you are in the middle of a bustling city. An interesting addition to the park is the history that is inlayed throughout it. Native Americans from the Lenape tribe were said to have inhabited the area years ago. Therefore, artifacts, rock sculptures, and caves are hidden throughout the park. Adding to this exciting fact, the area is also said to be the place where the sale of Manhattan Island from the Native Americans to the settlers took place (for a meager $24 I might add).

While the park has been developed to include playgrounds and ballfields, it has been able to maintain a feel of tranquility and provide natural forestation to the New York City residents. With so much history and so many ways to enjoy the park, Inwood Hill offers an experience unlike other parks in the city. Along with Native American history and natural forests, it offers the last salt marsh in Manhattan. This park is one of the few that were not completely manmade. There is no doubt that this is a sacred little place in Manhattan that deserves some love and some more visitation.

*To get to the Park, you can take the A train to 207th or the 1 train to 215th.

 

 
Tags: #park #nature #exercise #hike #Inwood #trail

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