Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail

This is a short but strenuous hike to a bluff overlooking the Delaware River and surrounding mountains and hills. The summit makes a good spot for a picnic or just for relaxing and watching the sunset. The entire hike also has plenty of beautiful photo ops, especially in the Fall.

Find the trailhead by the entrance to the parking lot, you will be following the Tammany Trail (also known as the Red Dot Trail).

Start up wooden steps, and keep left to continue on the trail. It starts off on a slight incline, but soon you'll reach more steep rocky terrain through the forest. Once you pass a few rocky parts, you will find the first outlook to the right. A very obvious rocky bluff, overlooking the Delaware River (and the highway). But don't worry, the views will get better! This is a good spot to take a short water break, since you've only climbed up about 400ft (and have 800ft more to go!)

After the break, continue on the trail through the forest, and you'll soon reach a very steep trail of rocky "steps". This is where it gets more strenuous! Climb up the rocks and through the trees, until the trail finally levels off again as you reach the top. You will soon reach the end of the Red Dot trail and see an open rocky bluff to your right. Follow this down for the best panoramic views on the Delaware River and Mount Minsi.

After the break, you have two options. You can take the other side back down, following the Blue Trail all the way to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and back to the parking lot (which will bring the total length to 3.3 miles) or you can just take the same Red Dot Trail back to the parking lot (a slightly shorter total distance of 2.3 miles). If you are staying at the top until sunset, I recommend doing the shorter hike back, and remember your headlamp and bear spray, since this area sees a good amount of bear activity!

Here is a helpful map of the area to help find your way.