Just did the Great Saunter - wanted to share my experience!

Submitted by megulikjan t3_yhfmlc in nyc

Hi everyone. Moved to NYC about a year ago, and my partner and I have been walking a lot! So after doing the Broadway walk (from top to bottom, about 14 miles) we decided to do the Great Saunter (the perimeter of Manhattan, 32ish miles). I found some helpful tips on this subreddit, but wanted to share my experience in case it helps anyone plan their walk:

  1. Path: Used the map from ShoreWalkers.org (link below) and started from the 90s on the East side. While it was overall great, I will say that on the East river side (battery park up towards 90s) a lot of the river paths were closed, so we improvised and walked on 1st for most of it. Follow the map and don't get too creative as the "official" path doesn't have manny accessible ins and outs.

  2. Time: Started around the 90s, on the east side, at around 6:30am, and went up. By the time sun was coming up we were in Harlem. When we got back on the east side, sun was starting to set. The whole thing, with breaks (which are not on the map I posted) was about 13 hours. The longest break, total of about 30-40 min was for lunch. Tried not to sit down for more than 5 min - as things start hurting A LOT when you get back up.

  3. Food: Grabbed a breakfast sandwich from Starbucks in Harlem, where the path takes you inland as the river path ends. Had lunch at the Baylander, 130th street on the westside, at exactly noon when they opened and we got there. Dino BBQ would be another good option, but we wanted to be quick and stay on the path. Other than the lunch, split a grilled blueberry muffin from a random but great diner at Inwood where we stopped at to use the restroom and split a savory spinach pie from a farmer's market at Inwood. Had some bars with us, but did not eat those.

  4. Liquids: had a small camel pack of water (which we finished - a big one would have been good, but didn't want to carry a heavy load); each had a can of yerba matte; instead of coffees ordered three shots of espresso throughout the day (to keep liquids low given bathrooms and/or to use bathrooms in coffee shops); split a small iced coffee at battery park (big mistake, both felt sick afterwards); each had one liquid IV that we mixed in a small bottle of water (wish we had two each); split one gatorade towards the end (it helped, but at this point we were in pain so didn't really matter). Each had two Advils.

  5. Bathrooms: the map that I linked to had pretty accurate locations for the public bathrooms. Most were pretty clean as they were just opening up for the day. On the west side (upper west down to Battery) where it is much busier, bathrooms got dirty but there are more businesses there so used those.

  6. Clothes: Weather was perfect - topped out at 60. Had many layers on, which came on and off throughout the day, including thermal leggings under sweat pants. Bring an extra pair of good socks. We did not bring bandaids/moleskin, although I see many recommend them (we both knew our shoes pretty well, so knew we would not get blisters). Don't forget a hat for when it gets sunny as you are in direct sunlight on the westside. I also brought ear warmers which were great in the morning and at night. One thing we forgot was chapstick - I don't use chapstick, but the wind is blowing at you the whole time and by the end (and a day later) my lips hurt.

  7. Favorite parts: hands down the whole tip (starting at 163rd, first on the east side then over to the west side). The foliage was on point. The views were amazing and it was the area we have explored the least in the city. It was so peaceful, it was hard to believe we were in the city.

  8. Final thoughts: Overall, I would highly highly recommend this to anyone that is a good walker and loves exploring the city this way. We love walking but neither of us has ever walked this much. Mentally it is a big number to commit to. Not going to lie, after the first 10-15 miles it is not "easy" anymore - things start hurting (for us it was just our feet mostly). The other challenge is the mental one. The last 40 or so blocks, I have to say, were hard. I was wondering if we would be able to finish. Afterwards we had made plans to go to a halloween party (oh how naive of us) but neither of us was able to obviously. It’s the day after, and while we both are very tired overall we feel good.

Map we usedMap My Walk

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Comments

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BrieGoneThot t1_iudlchq wrote

Done it twice with the official group in May.

It's something I suggest any able-bodied New Yorker do at least once, such a unique way to see our city. I will say for most people though you should get a few training walks in. The weeks leading up to it I start going on 12-16ish mile walks once a weekend. It really can be quite brutal, even seasoned runners struggle because the hiking aspect is a totally different animal. I don't think I would have finished either one on my own without the group support.

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megulikjan OP t1_iudulk0 wrote

I would love to try it with the official group next! Will keep an eye out for the sign up.

I guess we had been unintentionally training for this..most weekends we walk 10-15 miles total. Then couple weeks ago we did the broadway walk. And even with all that, it was a lot.

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BrieGoneThot t1_iuekgd7 wrote

I've always wanted to do Broadway, but spending 6 hours dodging tourists and waiting for red lights sounds like hell.

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megulikjan OP t1_iuexelv wrote

After times square we walked so fast ahah, in a way the craziness made it go so much quicker. Up until then we were sightseeing.

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sonder2230 t1_iuga3x2 wrote

I did the Broadway walk last weekend. I run three miles four or five times a week, thought I’d be good, legs were Hurting by the time I escaped Times Square. Power walked the entire way to Battery Park

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megulikjan OP t1_iuhpp6m wrote

Yes that was exactly our experience. We went so fast after times square!

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufyzty wrote

Shorewalkers, the organization that sponsors The Great Saunter, always schedules several practice walks leading up to the main walk, which is the first Saturday in May.

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[deleted] t1_iudm0x5 wrote

Your favorite part was the tip? Ayoooo

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HeyNiceSweater t1_iuegg46 wrote

Congratulations!

I did the saunter on Christmas Day about 5yrs ago with two friends. I was running long distances then and thought it would be easy; it wasn’t! I made the mistake of not eating and drinking enough along the way. A great memory and I hope to do it again.

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megulikjan OP t1_iufmxet wrote

Ah thanks for sharing! How was it doing it in the cold? Was it snowy?

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HeyNiceSweater t1_iufqyv3 wrote

We planned to go regardless of the weather, but it happened to be warm and sunny that Christmas Day. Just looked it up and it must have been 2015.

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DameThistle t1_iuecmxs wrote

Congratulations to you and all who have done this, what an accomplishment! Thank you for posting so much detailed info. I will do that walk at some point. Slightly bummed to learn that the 2023 Great Saunter group walk is May 6 and the TD Five Boro Bike Ride is May 7, guess I'll have to pick one for next year (:

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megulikjan OP t1_iuedzvz wrote

Thank you very much and good luck! i think waiting for spring is a good idea anyways given the weather is getting colder. My face still hurts from the wind.

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anonwasawoman t1_iudj7v5 wrote

Thanks for posting this! I'm not a big walker but am hoping to do this in little pieces.

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Very_Bad_Janet t1_iuf3sie wrote

Did it.once with the official group - wow, maybe 18 years ago? Memorably cool.

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megulikjan OP t1_iufn36x wrote

Ah cool! I am so curious what this will look like years later when the lower/mid east side is developed!

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufxlri wrote

People have been doing The Great Saunter for over 30 years. The initial purpose was to examine the Manhattan shoreline. The walk is different every year because the shoreline changes.

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Panelak_Cadillac t1_iueexa6 wrote

This is one of my favorite bike rides. Great job doing it on foot!

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufxe0t wrote

The official Shorewalkers route would be hard to do on a bike. There are parts in Washington Heights and Inwood that would require carrying the bike up several steps and over a bridge as well as on a dirt path in Inwood Hill Park.

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attackplango t1_iuenvxa wrote

Did you check on the eruv while you went, to make sure we were good for sabbath?

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joshmoviereview t1_iudrnxq wrote

Nice! Cool write-up! I did this on citibike last year and even that was physically demanding for me... Lots of construction on the east side that makes it hard to navigate, I found myself having to double back a fair amount, ended up just giving up and cutting inland for a bit.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufx0xv wrote

I've done the official version of The Great Saunter in May three or four times. You went in the opposite direction: It starts at Fraunces Tavern in the Financial District and goes west up the Hudson around the northern tip of Manhattan and down the East River. It's most fun to do it in a group with the full support of the organization, Shorewalkers. The membership fee is extremely cheap and provides free admission to other walks.

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megulikjan OP t1_iug0qd9 wrote

Yes will look to do it with a group in May! I am sure mentally it will be much better this way. The only reason we started in the 90s was to end at home. It was amazing coming home at the end, honestly i was so delusional by then.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iuipe7c wrote

I get it. So you did this on your own? There was a Virtual Saunter this month. The first one was scheduled during the pandemic because large groups of people couldn't walk together. Normally, there are at least 1,000 walkers.

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megulikjan OP t1_iuiw18i wrote

Yep just did it the two of us. Wow I didn’t realize it was such a big event

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FrankiePoops t1_iui23om wrote

Yeah, I did it counterclockwise on a summer day starting around 59th st on the east side, and the problem with this was you're walking in the sun on the east side the whole time, then walking in the sun on the west side the whole time, so we all got burnt.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iuiptu2 wrote

Actually, a friend of mine said it might better to go in the direction you took because you'd see the sunset on the Hudson at the end of the walk and it would be warmer. I think they may start it on the Hudson side because that's the prettiest part of the walk and many people drop out by the time they reach Inwood. So they get to see the fun part before quitting.

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FrankiePoops t1_iuiqwd4 wrote

Yeah just don't do it on a really hot day with a strong sun.

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megulikjan OP t1_iuiwfgw wrote

Ooof. We did the broadway walk when it was sunny and it was rough. Until you get to upper west there is no shade..

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whatistodaynow t1_iue63un wrote

thanks for the post! 13 hrs is a lot for a day but perfect timing with the foliage! i'll have to check it out, may be sections at a time :)

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megulikjan OP t1_iue6qt9 wrote

If you can get up to 150ish street (by highbridge park) and cut to the path on the river (see the map) and walk over to Inwood then down a bit, it was truly amazing. The views were stunning that whole way and it was very peaceful.

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Alucard-VS-Artorias t1_iudrn0v wrote

This is really cool. My GF and I wanna try this one day. Perhaps this upcoming spring season.

Thank you for sharing.

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Algoresball t1_iudte9j wrote

Is it doable on a bike?

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whodattguy t1_iue6d3g wrote

I used to do this every weekend on my bike. Not just totally doable but extremely fun. The worse part is the east side from lower Manhattan to 14th st because there was no bike path back then. The bike path on the west side is beautiful and uninterrupted.

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liveoneggs t1_iuei5qq wrote

One time I was riding up the west side to the lighthouse and the wind was so strong that I didn't have to pedal. Getting home was not fun :)

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megulikjan OP t1_iue54qk wrote

I saw lots of people talking about doing this on a bike! I am not a good biker, so I can’t but one could. On the east river side it will get tricky just like walking was so you will need to cut inland.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufy0rd wrote

You can approximate it on a bike. It would be difficult to do exactly the same route because there is a pedestrian bridge in a park on the west side that has several steps and no ramp -- you'd have to carry your bike. In addition, the trail in Inwood Hill Park is narrow, stony, and has roots. I'm not even sure that you're allowed to take a bike on it.

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ScorpiusDX t1_iugau2l wrote

Did it a couple years back during the spring on my own. It was quite the journey. I started at brooklyn bridge and went up the east side first. I remember the stretch along Harlem River Drive where you're sandwiched between the highway and the river being one of the most memorial parts of the walk, despite it being the most lonely section. Probably only saw like one or two people during that whole stretch but just being by yourself that whole time felt very serene in a way.

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shamam t1_iudibdv wrote

Nicely done, did you track your travels w/ any type of mapping device? Strava?

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megulikjan OP t1_iudjbds wrote

Yes! So i tried uploading a picture, but looks like it didn’t work:( used map my walk app. I will see if i can add a pic to my post

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shamam t1_iudjno6 wrote

Try uploading to imgur and posting the link here instead.

I tried to walk as much of Manhattan as I could over the summer but I only hit about 20%.

https://i.imgur.com/KrWtCuV.png

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megulikjan OP t1_iudlezu wrote

Thank you! Wow this is so cool and an awesome idea.. i don’t know what our next big walk will be. Maybe the marathon route?

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MasterChicken52 t1_iufhk7n wrote

The marathon route can be done starting in Bay Ridge, just a heads up! The Verrazano is only open to foot traffic for the marathon itself and that’s it.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufy8i1 wrote

I've done it. Yes, Bay Ridge is where it always starts because only the marathoners are allowed on the Verrazzano.

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megulikjan OP t1_iufms14 wrote

Oo thank you. Have you ever tried it? Any tips?

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MasterChicken52 t1_iufyivu wrote

I’ve done the marathon 4 times (I’m a very slow runner and don’t have the training time most have, so I always do a run-walk combination. Crossing the finish line is always my goal, haha.)

The biggest thing for me, honestly, is the mental challenge! Hills come at the worst times. By not doing the Verrazano, you’re skipping the biggest hill, but that’s also at the beginning when you are fresh. Physically, the hardest part for me is the part where you come down 5the Ave by Central Park. It’s like at mile 20(ish) during the race, and by then, your legs are angry. That’s when you realize that coming down 5th from the top of the park to the bottom is ALL UPHILL. It’s one of those things that you don’t necessarily notice if you’re just out to visit a museum or the park, but you definitely notice after being on your feet for hours.

As far as sightseeing and such for the marathon route… it goes through some cool neighborhoods. There is a section of the Brooklyn part along 4th avenue where there isn’t a lot, but mostly you’ll pass through neighborhoods that have different personalities and lots of diversity.

Related: if anyone reading this decides they want to do a marathon once in their lifetime, make NYC the one you do. The crowd support is AMAZING, and it’s basically a 26.2 mile party. Highly recommend!

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megulikjan OP t1_iug0aag wrote

Wow thank you for this detail. I was somewhat training for a half marathon a while. Once during covid then again in nyc. Loved seeing the city running. But unfortunately got specific running injuries both times and had to stop. Walking doesn’t give me those injuries and after getting injured this last time I think I am giving up on running for good. I have explored so little of brooklyn - need to get on that.

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MasterChicken52 t1_iugkotx wrote

Happy to help! I’m a huge fan of the marathon!

I was registered in 2020, and unfortunately got a nasty bout of Covid and long Covid, but just recently got clearance to start running again. I parlayed my 2020 registration to 2023, and honestly, I’m cool with walking the whole thing if I need to; there are always groups that do just that! If you ever decide to “officially” walk it on race day, know the following:

  1. Crossing the Verrazano on foot is amazing; honestly one of my favorite bits of the race

  2. If you are walking the entire race, and you are not a fast walker, there’s a decent chance that streets will start to open again before you have finished. Fans/supporters will STILL be out cheering for you. Source: I did the race once on a knee injury and experienced this very thing. The people of this city are amazing.

  3. The people of Harlem are the most supportive and have the best music. It’s my favorite neighborhood to run through, because you are exhausted at that point, and they are the folks out there shouting encouragement and handing out salty snacks and cool rags to folks who need it. Honestly, if it wasn’t for a wizened old woman in Harlem and her encouragement, I honestly don’t think I would have crossed the finish line the knee injury year. I look for her every year. She’s my marathon angel!

  4. Absolutely do not stress about how late you finish. There WILL be people there at the finish waiting for you! The person who is the last to finish every year actually gets a feature on the news and in the paper, because it is recognized that it’s a bigger feat for someone who might have difficulty to cross the finish line. I remember one of the years I did it, the last to finish crossed the line close to midnight, and he was an old war vet (I want to say WWII, but it might have been Korea?) I remember passing him in Queens. He was literally shuffling along, and had a person on either side (from Achilles iirc) helping him walk, and I don’t know if I’ve ever been so inspired.

  5. Speaking of inspiration, there is a plethora of it to be found! I am inspired by the wheelchair racers and the pro runners (both groups are SO FREAKING FAST). I am inspired by the people being helped by Achilles organization. I even saw a guy doing it ON CRUTCHES one year, which is just insane. Lol.

  6. You will feel like a rock star when you first come off the 59th St bridge and head up 1st Ave. Spectators are not allowed on the bridges, so you will hear the sound of them before you see them. The cheering of lots of people drinking is quite loud but also gets you going.

  7. Biggest tip: write your name on whatever shirt you wear. You wouldn’t believe the difference it makes hearing someone yell out general encouragement vs. hearing someone specifically cheering you on by name. It sounds silly, but it genuinely works. I didn’t write my name the first time, but I have every year since, it’s 100% worth it.

  8. Second biggest tip: go for the post race pancho instead of checking a bag if at all possible. If you absolutely need your own supplies immediately after the race, still do the pancho option and then have a friend/family member meet you with your stuff where you exit Central Park. Trust me on this. They already make you go a ways past the finish line to leave the park, but if you check a bag you have to go further to exit, and it just takes so much longer and is more of a pain if you are meeting people afterwards. I have friends meet me where I exit the park with a change of clothes and supplies and then we go for Mexican food (because I need salt after, at least that’s my excuse. It’s tradition now!)

  9. Take the subway home, because getting a cab/Uber/Lyft will be impossible from the finish area for a solid 5 hour block of time.

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megulikjan OP t1_iuhl2vf wrote

This all sounds so amazing. Would be awesome to be a part of this. Thank you for all the tips, i will look into what it takes to actually get signed up.

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MasterChicken52 t1_iuhqmel wrote

If you live in the area, the best two ways for guaranteed entry are to either join a charity team or to do the 9+1 program through NYRR. :-)

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ToneBoneKone1 t1_iuftadr wrote

If you can remember the name / location of the diner in Inwood please let me know!

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megulikjan OP t1_iug1qv2 wrote

The Famous Jimbo's Hamburger Palace, i just looked it up. They were just really nice and asked if we wanted a muffin grilled with butter (haha i have never heard of this but the answer was yes!)

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HilariousConsequence t1_iudwi92 wrote

Wait, does everyone say “saunter” then? I 100% thought that was specifically a Scottish thing.

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OtherImplement t1_iufx83m wrote

Nope. Saunter is just a funnier word to say instead of walk. Not normally used day to day.

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megulikjan OP t1_iue4xpo wrote

I gotta say, i am not a native speaker and i have never heard of this word! But every time i would google “manhattan perimeter walk” this would come up! So i figured that’s the term :))

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whodattguy t1_iue6iyx wrote

Used to bike every weekend for a year. Never heard that term but sure. Why not. I was on a bike though so…

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megulikjan OP t1_iue78fo wrote

Impressed by all the bikers here. Wish I could do that. Would allow me to explore queens/Brooklyn more.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufyopw wrote

This specific walk, sponsored by the Shorewalkers organization for over 30 years, is called "The Great Saunter." "Sauntering" is not a term generally used for this kind of activity, which is a challenging urban hike.

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Throwawayhelp111521 t1_iufyhss wrote

That's the name the walk has always been called. I've always wondered why it's called that because to me, "sauntering" suggests a more relaxing walk, while The Great Saunter is a demanding hike. The name may come from a Walt Whitman poem.

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mankls3 t1_iug2asm wrote

But why

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FleetwoodMacNCheese t1_iudwunj wrote

I absolutely lost it when I read you got a breakfast sandwich at Starbucks.

You wanted to explore Manhattan and see different neighborhoods so you walked around the whole island. But then you stopped at a national chain for food?!

Please shop locally where you can! There was probably a deli or restaurant nearby that would have had bomb food.

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megulikjan OP t1_iue5u63 wrote

I am sorry you “absolutely lost it” haha. We have been exploring manhattan non stop since moving here and have eaten locally when we can and when convenient. That being said i am not going to apologize for getting a delicious and quick sandwich on a go from a chain, which was one of the very few open places, straight on our path, with a bathroom and with amazing staff.

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FleetwoodMacNCheese t1_iueqkep wrote

You don't need to apologize for anything. I enjoy a quarter pounder every once in a while and don't beat myself up over it.

I just think if I planned a big adventure like this to see a ton of neighborhoods around the island and wanted to share it on Reddit I likely would have also planned out local stops for food, sights, etc.

When I saw a food section I figured you were going to highlight local options along the way. But then after reading that it just seemed like unnecessary details for the purpose of this post.

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