Reverse Saunter — 34 miles

Enjoy a fun & challenging walk of the epic Great Saunter course in reverse from East Side ➔ West Side. This walk is offered as part of the Great Saunter Fall Challenge [see more below].

Meet: 7 am @ Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal (2nd level, by the toilets). We start walking @ 7:15. Check for subway service changes before leaving home!

Late arrivals: contact a leader; get to a location ahead of the group; tell us where to find you.

End: Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal. Congratulations! Celebrate with us afterwards over drinks & eats.

Route & Pace: The walk begins & ends at the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal. We walk north along the east side of Manhattan, enjoy a short break in Inwood Hill Park, then continue south along the west side back to South Ferry. 34 miles at a brisk pace; about 12 hours including toilet & rest stops.

Note: unlike the Great Saunter — an individual challenge you walk at your own pace — we will walk the Reverse Saunter together at a brisk pace.

Map: Use the Great Saunter Digital Map on your mobile device. Grant location permission to monitor your location along the route. Use Strava or AllTrails to record your epic adventure.

Rain date: If heavy rain is forecast, we’ll postpone one week to October 18.

Bring: 3-4 qts of fluids, hydration salts, snacks, hat, sunscreen, portable charger, extra socks, and clothing layers to adjust to the day's changing temperatures. Pack sunglasses: the sun will be in our faces for much of the day due to the reverse course.

Snacks & Hydration: Water fountains are scarce — especially on the East Side. Places to buy drinks & snacks are scarce — especially after Inwood Hill Park. Plan accordingly to prevent dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc. Places to buy drinks & snacks: near your home (best option); a deli on 37th & 1st; along York Ave. in the 60s/70s; in Inwood. Alert a leader before your supplies run low.

Toilet Stops: Whitehall Terminal (before walk), St. Vartan Park (E. 35th St.), Carl Schurz Park (E. 84th St.), 144th St., Inwood Hill Park, 165th St. (below the Little Red Lighthouse), 72nd St., Chelsea Piers, Whitehall Terminal (after walk). Alert a leader if you need to make an unscheduled toilet stop.

Drop-out Points: We'll always be within walking distance of a subway. Use your mobile map app to locate the nearest subway stop. Alert a leader if you decide to drop out for any reason.

Preparation, Health, and Safety: Attempt this walk only after completing the appropriate fitness training in the weeks before the walk. Not suitable for slow walkers. Stay ahead of the sweep. Be mindful of bikes in both directions. No dogs. Wear broken-in shoes with wicking socks. Pack a care kit if you're prone to blisters. Alert a leader if you need to stop to care for your feet or attend to another health concern.

Look the part by getting your Great Saunter Fall Challenge merch at our store. Fall Challenge participants: remember to print your bib with any number you like.

Hike Leader: Dan Diaz [msg on Meetup for contact info]
Co-leaders: Iris Rosen & Nando Nieves

Event guests must sign Shorewalkers' Waiver and Release to participate.

👟 Take the Great Saunter Fall Challenge. Register here to walk 32 miles in 16 days starting October 4. Registration is only $10, and Shorewalkers will donate all fees to the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy, the dedicated caretakers of the park’s beautiful gardens and lawns. This walk will count for all of your 32-mile total. You do not have to participate in the Fall Challenge to join the walk — all members are welcome.