North Manhattan Shoreline Scouting Walk — 17 miles

How do hike leaders scout walks? Learn how a city walk is scouted while helping Shorewalkers prepare for the Great Saunter Fall Challenge in October.

Meet Carl Schurz Park (on the walkway, near 84th St toilets) @ 9:30 am for a prompt departure as soon as everyone is there.

Transit 4/5/6 to Lexington @ 86th; Q to 2nd @ 86th. Check MTA website for weekend service changes.

The Plan: walk at a fast (3.3 mph) pace north (in reverse) along the Great Saunter route to Inwood Hill Park, where we'll stop for a break at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. Continue south along the Hudson shoreline to Pier 84 (44th St).

How we'll scout together: along the way — as a team — we keep an eye out for any updates that need to be made to our Great Saunter digital map. Map updates help your fellow walkers, as well as the hike leaders who will lead Reverse Saunter Stretches during Fall Challenge 2026.

Using the Saunter map and a live GPS tracing tool (like Strava), we'll note, e.g., where a route detour is necessary, where new toilets are available, old ones unavailable, etc. At points, we may explore an alternate path and then have to backtrack — it's all part of the fun of exploration!

Note this is a scouting walk — walk pace, distance & end time are estimates.

You: this walk is suitable for fit, enthusiastic walkers with a sense of humor. We'll walk at a quick pace, but will stop anytime someone needs a toilet, drinks, snacks, etc. Not suitable for slow walkers or the impatient.

Change your RSVP promptly if you cannot attend. Habitual no-shows will be removed from the going list.

Bring drinks, snacks, sunscreen, hydration salts, hat, portable charger, and forecast-appropriate clothing. Bookmark the Great Saunter digital map on your mobile browser. Install Strava, AllTrails, or similar GPS route app. Pack sunglasses: the sun will be in our faces for much of the day due to the reverse course.

Weather we proceed if light rain is forecast; we'll reschedule in case of severe weather.

Drop-out points available all around the scouting route.

After party everyone is welcome to enjoy drinks & eats at the leader's favorite Hell's Kitchen dive bar. Non-alcoholic drinks available. Times Square subways are a short walk away.

Coming soon: on Sat Sept 5 (weather permitting) the South Manhattan Shoreline Scouting Walk from W 42nd St counter-clockwise back to Carl Schurz Park.

Leader Dan D [contact via Meetup]
Co-host Sheila Chung