The Wild Story Behind How Breakneck Ridge Got It's Name

Breakneck Ridge: One of The More Popular and Dangerous Hudson Valley Hikes

If you've visited Cold Spring or Beacon during the thick of the fall foliage season, chances are you've seen people traveling in droves to visit and hike Breakneck Ridge.

It's arguably one of the most popular hikes in the Hudson Valley and one of the most dangerous.

A Google search will show that there have been several injuries and some that ended in death. In 2018 a 25-year-old hiker died after 100-foot fall at Breakneck.

The trail heads for Breakneck Ridge are currently closed until 2027.

How Did Breakneck Ridge Get It's Name?

While scrolling on TikTok the other day I came across a video breaking down how Breakneck Ridge got its name.

However, the story just wasn't adding up for me. In the TikTok video, which filled with A.I. generated images, told the story of "one of the deadliest train wrecks in Hudson Valley history."

Personally, I've never heard any stories about this deadly Breakneck Train wreck. So I did a little digging. In the book Brief Summer Rambles by Joel Cook, he explains the history of the name and the neighboring Mount Taurus.

Cook writes:

"Mount Taurus is modernized from Bull Hill, so called because a wild bull was once chased by the indignant inhabitants across to the other mountain, where he fell and broke his neck."

Cook adds "Thus one adventure named two mountains, but the moderns have not yet applied the Latinized name for a broken neck to the farther hill."

@jackiethecorley Breakneck Ridge is one of the most popular trails in the United States. The legend of how it got its name was originally recounted in an 1882 book. According to the book, the villagers in the area near Beacon and Cold Spring were terrorized by a wild bull. One day they set out to chase the bull, which subsequently fell off a cliff and broke its neck — hence Breakneck Ridge and its neighboring mountain Bull Hill getting their monikers. Bull Hill would eventually come to be known as Mount Taurus. #hudsonvalley #beaconny #coldspring #upstateny #localhistory ♬ original sound - Jackie Corley

Sounds like we debunked that whole "deadliest train wreck in Hudson Valley history" theory.

Why is Breakneck Ridge Currently Closed?

In April 2025 construction began on a 2-year project at the Breakneck Ridge trail head and MTA stop.

According to a press release from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the construction project will connect the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve trailheads that are between Cold Spring and Beacon.

Additionally, the construction will bring much needed updates and upgrades to the area near Breakneck.

The MTA writes in the press release " the renovated and upgraded Breakneck Ridge station will make it more attractive than ever to take the train to the trails.”

While Breakneck Ridge is closed for the time being, check out these other amazing hikes nearby:

5 Great Hikes You'll Love While Breakneck Ridge is Closed

The Breakneck Ridge trail is closed for the next two years, but you'll hardly notice thanks to these 5 local alternatives that offer a similar difficulty and comparable views.