Upper West Side Walkers Find 5 Rated Trails by Distance and Difficulty

Central Park's 1.58-mile Reservoir loop ranks as the top easy trail for Upper West Side residents seeking a flat 30-minute circuit without steep climbs.

Summer temperatures climbing past 80 degrees in July 2026 have pushed more locals outdoors for early-morning exercise, with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation noting a 15 percent rise in trail use at Manhattan sites since Memorial Day. Residents cite shorter commutes to green space and lower gym fees as reasons to swap indoor treadmills for shaded paths near their apartments.

The Reservoir loop sits between 86th and 96th Streets on the park's east side, while Riverside Park's 2.3-mile Hudson River Greenway section runs from 72nd to 96th Streets along the water. Both routes fall under maintenance programs run by the Central Park Conservancy and Friends of Riverside Park, which post weekly surface reports on their websites.

A 2025 Central Park Conservancy visitor count put annual foot traffic on the Reservoir at 9.2 million, with average daily users reaching 25,000 on weekdays; Riverside Park logs similar numbers on its paved waterfront stretch, where benches every quarter-mile allow quick rests.

Moderate options add elevation

Walkers wanting more challenge turn to the 3.1-mile full Central Park loop that includes the 110-foot climb near the Great Hill at 106th Street, rated moderate by the Parks Department trail guide released last month. Riverside Park's northern extension past 96th Street adds a short 40-foot bluff ascent near 120th Street before flattening again.

Practical steps before heading out

Check the NYC Parks website the night before for any closures, carry water for routes over two miles, and start before 8 a.m. to avoid peak heat. Local runners recommend the Reservoir for first-timers and the Riverside Greenway for those tracking longer distances on phone apps.