Popular Hiking Area Of Bergen County Park May Stay Closed For Months: Official

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After a "major" rock slide closed a popular hiking area of a Bergen County park last Friday, a park official gave an update this week that may contain some bad news for nature lovers.

On Friday, the Palisades Parks Conservatory posted on social media that the "Giant Stairs" area of Palisades Interstate Park — a park that which spans the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York — was closed due to a rock slide and rockfall.

On Wednesday, Steve Shallop, the superintendent of the New Jersey side of the park, gave Patch an update, saying the area may stay closed for several months.

Shallop said that because of the falling rocks the damage and stability of the stairs need to be assessed.

The stairs may be closed as late as spring, he said.

Section Of Boulders

The 4.3-mile Giant Stairs area of the park, located in Alpine, is "a long section of huge boulders that have tumbled from the Palisades," says a hiking website. The area offers views of the Hudson River and New York City.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed the Giant Stairs in order to properly assess both the damage and the stability of the terrain following the slide," Shallop said this week. "It is highly likely that we will consider keeping the Giant Stairs closed until spring time and allow the Winter thaw to take place before opening the trail."

He said the trail has grown in popularity in recent years, and that he would provide an update when the assessment is complete, but did not have a more specific timeline.

"The trail attracts hikers from across the region who come to challenge themselves on the four to five mile loop," he said. "The Giant Stairs are widely regarded as a very popular destination."

A special notice on the park website on Monday also said the stairs were closed and that the guidance would be updated when there's a change.

The park spans for 12 miles along the Hudson River, according to the park website.

The park also posts alerts on closures and repairs here.