Nestled in the charming neighborhood of Inwood, in Upper Manhattan, West 215 Street offers more than just an address. It’s home to a unique urban feature: a grand stairway that provides both a physical challenge and a rewarding vista. Located between Broadway and Park Terrace East, this often-overlooked spot offers a taste of Inwood’s distinctive topography, where rugged hills meet the relatively flat terrain closer to the Harlem River.
For those familiar with Inwood, the geography is defined by its ridge line, home to Inwood Hill Park, and the valleys that carve through it, like the one Dyckman Street traverses, leading to Fort Tryon Park further south. Broadway, a major artery, runs along this varied landscape. East of Broadway, Inwood flattens out, but to the west, the terrain rises, culminating in spots like West 215 Street and its impressive stairs.
Having often passed by these stairs, curiosity finally led to an ascent. Inspired by a previous climb of the Battery Harris East stairs in Fort Tilden, Queens, the West 215 Street stairs became the next urban stair-climbing objective. This isn’t just any set of steps; it’s a dual stairway, split by a landscaped median, ascending 63 feet (approximately 20 meters) from Broadway. In total, it comprises 110 steps, thoughtfully broken up by landings every 11 steps. Adding a touch of inspiration, motivational quotes are inscribed at the base of each stairway.
Starting from the 215 Street elevated subway station, a short walk leads to the foot of the stairs on Broadway. Opting for the north stairway, with its helpful handrail, the climb began. A brief pause at the midpoint allowed for a moment to catch breath before continuing to the summit. Encountering fellow stair enthusiasts engaged in their workouts, and spotting local residents enjoying the view from a bench at the top, added to the neighborhood feel. Reaching the top without feeling overly breathless brought a satisfying sense of accomplishment. The reward? A panoramic view stretching across the Harlem River towards the Bronx skyline on the opposite ridge.
From the stairway’s peak, a westward stroll of just a block leads to Park Terrace West. Heading south, the path meanders past the picturesque Isham Park, eventually arriving at the Isham Street entrance to the sprawling Inwood Hill Park. From there, the 207 Street subway station is easily accessible, making the 215 street stairs a perfect starting or ending point for an Inwood exploration.
This corner of Manhattan truly warrants a visit. Future plans include revisiting the 215 street stairs, combining another climb with a more extensive hike through Inwood Hill Park. The promise of combined Harlem River and Hudson River views makes a return trip highly anticipated.
