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Summary: Starting at the parking area by Little Stony Point, take the white blazed Washburn Trail east. It passes a quarry, then begins a steady climb, with some views from ledges along the way. You'll soon reach the yellow blazed Undercliff Trail. Turn north onto the Undercliff and you'll reach an excellent overlook in about .5 mile . Retrace your steps back to the white trail and continue your climb. Reaching the summit of Mt Taurus, you'll find another excellent overlook with views of the Hudson Valley, Bear Mtn, Harriman State Park and the town of Cold Spring. The trail begins to descend, bear left onto the blue blazed Notch Trail and you'll cross some old carraige roads on your way down. Eventually, you'll reach the ruins of the Cornish estate, where you can see whats left of the barn and other outbuildings. Turn south on the red blazed trail for a short distance then left on the blue blazed Cornish Trail, past the ruins of the Cornish mansion and back to your car. Trailhead: From South: Take Palisates Interstate Parkway north to Bear Mountain Bridge. Make left on route 9D. Follow 9D through the village of Cold Spring. Just outside Cold Spring, parking for about 15 cars will be on your left and there is room for another 4-5 cars on the right. From north: Taconic Parkway to Route 301 west, to 9D south. Parking is just before you reach village of Cold Spring. (Lat:41.42685 Lon:-73.96644) Trail Guides for Mt Taurus: New York Walk Book by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ Trail con) 50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley by Peter Kick (Backcountry Publications) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Hudson Highlands State Park, Beacon NY 845-225-7207 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Sniatkowski, who has posted 44 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by CL on 11/3/2009 Directions above are erroneous: coming North on 9D out of Cold Spring, the larger parking lot is on the right not the left. In any event, park at Little Stony Point. I hiked it last weekend (2 November 09). The hike is a good hike, especially given its proximity to New York City. But it is not a spectacular hike. Also, the distance is less than reported. I easily did the hike in 3 hours. 
Reviewed by BrianK on 9/13/2009 A GREAT hike. Not nearly as strenuous as Breakneck Ridge, which requires some minor technical skill, but this hike is a gem. Lots of great views, and lots of beautiful woods. The last mile or so back is like a stroll in a park, which is great after having done some steep hiking at the beginning! I live six miles from the trailhead, and I'll be back soon.
Reviewed by DZales on 6/10/2009 Hiked Mt. Taurus and BREAKNECK RIDGE (yes, breakneck ridge) on Sunday. Great hike. Started off at the metro north station and scaled breakneck ridge. LOTS OF SCRAMBLING!!! Loved this part of the hike. Turned south east once the white trail (Breakneck Ridge ridge) merged with the blue trail (Notch trail)and vered further east on Undercliff to be able to ascend Mt. Taurus from the south via the Washburn trail. All said, the Breakneck Ridge portion of the hike was easily the best part. I would recommnend that portion only to those who have been actively scrambling for a while. Several handholds and footholds require a fair bit of skill. Other than that, the hike can be completed in 5.5 hours (with lunch).
Reviewed by Jim on 5/23/2009 Comment about the picture "Overlook Summit of Mt Taurus - Looking south (Mt Taurus)". Since the river is to the camera's left I think this has to be looking north. Yeah, "a rose...", I know, still come on.
Reviewed by AL on 6/9/2008 This is directed to comment from TB-"Locally, this mountain is referred to as Breakneck." This hike is NOT Breakneck ridge. There are several different East Hudson hikes you can access via route 9D. Breakneck, Mount Taurus (also known as Bull mountain),and Sugarloaf mountain. There is also a hike to the Melingzah reservoir.Breakneck is far more precipitous and strenuous than Mount Taurus. 
Reviewed by Randy on 3/31/2008 Took this hike yesterday (3/30/08) with my boyfriend and best friend. Insanely easy to get to on Metro North. A little over an hour on the train, then an easy walk through the town to the trail head. We are all fairly fit individuals but don't do a lot of hiking. The climb up Mt. Taurus was strenuous, I won't lie, but it's manageable and you are rewarded with spectacular views once you reach the summit (we could see the tiniest outline of the Empire State Building from the top!). The trek down winds through a quiet forest with streams criss-crossing the trail, and the ruins you get to explore are straight out of a movie set. We didn't encounter a single person until we got to them. About 4 hours on the trail, all told.
Reviewed by JenF on 7/26/2007 1st-started from the parking lot heading west. Park entrance looked SO inviting! whoops. Then as I approached the quarry I was so taken by the sunlight and the open field that I wandered right past the turn for the trail. So I spent a good part of an hour wandering the quarry retracing my steps, doing some bouldering, scratching my head wondering "can this be right??" As far as the yellow trail spur - I reached a fabulous lookout at about .1 don't know if there is a better one at .5 but with all my turnarounds today didn't want to go any further. Loved the water access on Red trail towards the end. great spot to cool off and soak tired feet. Missed return to blue trail and landed on 9D about 1mi from car. Whoops #35. Great TR
Reviewed by Daniel S. on 6/13/2007 Mt. Taurus is a very nice hike for anyone expect perhaps raw beginners who will feel their leg muscles burn. Lots of raptors & other birds soaring overhead. In June you'll find white & pink wildflowers near the top. Note: this in NOT Breakneck Ridge, which can be seen just to the north. Enjoy. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Putnam County Hiking, Putnam County Trails, Putnam County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||