The 28er Challenge

The NY Downstate 28er Challenge was created to inspire people to explore the bountiful outdoor adventures available just outside of the bustling New York Metro Area while promoting responsible, low-impact outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

This self-guided challenge showcases the natural beauty and rugged terrain of the Lower Hudson Valley by inviting hikers to climb twenty-eight of the most iconic and scenic peaks in the downstate region. Participants will follow rugged trails through beautiful deciduous coastal forests, skirt craggy clifftops along the Hudson Palisades, and scramble to impressive panoramic vistas in the Hudson Highlands as they explore trails in more than a dozen state parks and forests across for five counties, all within a short trip of NYC.

Upon completing all 28 mountains, participants will earn an exclusive commemorative finisher patch, a badge of honor recognizing their dedication, perseverance, and love for the downstate region.

Whether you're a seasoned peakbagger or a hiking novice, the NY Downstate 28er Challenge offers an achievable yet rewarding goal that will take you on some of the most enjoyable adventures in the tri-state area.

Ready to take the challenge?

The Lower Hudson Valley

NY Downstate 12er Challenge area, located in the Lower Hudson Valley region of the state

Image courtesy of FreeWorldMaps.Net

The Lower Hudson Valley is shaped by some of the oldest rocks in North America and by the power of glaciers. These rugged mountains are built of ancient hard rock that has resisted erosion for over a billion years, giving the region its characteristic craggy terrain. In Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, the Hudson Highlands rise steeply from the river. Closer to New York City, in Rockland and Westchester, the land changes. Here you find the Palisades, dramatic walls of dark stone formed when molten rock pushed up through softer layers about 200 million years ago. The glaciers of the Ice Age later carved valleys, left behind lakes, and spread gravel and clay across the lowlands.

Together, these forces created a landscape of sharp mountains, rolling hills, and fertile riverbanks—one that still defines the character and beauty of the Lower Hudson Valley today.

The Downstate Region

The Lower Hudson Valley has a deep human history, from Indigenous communities to colonial estates, and today it remains a beloved resource for outdoor recreation.

For thousands of years, the valley was home to Algonquin-speaking peoples such as the Munsee, Lenape, and Mohican, who thrived on its forests, fertile soils, and fish-filled rivers. European settlers arrived in the 1600s, establishing Dutch trading posts and later English colonial towns. The region became a stage for Revolutionary War campaigns, with forts and river crossings playing strategic roles. By the 19th century, the valley’s scenic beauty inspired the Hudson River School of painters, while wealthy families built grand estates along its banks.

Today, the Lower Hudson Valley is not only a place of historic landmarks like Philipsburg Manor and Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, but also a hub for outdoor recreation. Visitors hike the Highlands, paddle the Hudson, and explore state parks and hidden trails that connect natural beauty with cultural heritage. This blend of history and landscape makes the valley both a living museum and an outdoor playground.