WARNING:  Graphic Workout Images Included Below

I am confident I have found the hardest stair workout in all of Manhattan and it is located right in Morningside Park.  The park runs from 110th street up to 123rd street and borders Morningside Heights to the west and Harlem to the east.

In addition to the stairs, there are three measured running paths around the park with signs to help you find the routes.However, instead of doing the runner paths, I go to the park just for the stairs.  And oh what stairs they are.

You want 10 step repeats? Done.  You want switchback style stairs?  Of course.  How about 45 degree inclines?  Morningside Park has got you covered.

A few things to note before we get to the sweat inducing pics.

1.  This is not a park that was built in 2015. It has been around for awhile.  The whole standard distance between steps rules don’t always apply here so be alert when you are doing your workout.
2. Morningside Park has a history of being a tough spot.  While it is better in recent years, do not run in the park at night.  Just save your workouts for the daytime.  There are a lot of people out during the day at the dog run, baseball field, basketball courts and pond so join them then.

Now on to the fun:

Nice quick repeats

A few more repeats to continue the warm-up

Heart rate increasing

You will start feeling the burn on this one

A bit of a slog but you are now in it to win it

A few recovery sets; nice and slow up and back

Dig deep, this takes a bit of effort after the other sets

Don’t underestimate this bunch.  A few repeats will get you

Keep up the good work.  Maybe lineup some friends on the grass to cheer you on

The stairs just keep coming

And now we are hitting some switchback stairs

This just feels like a regal stair set (one of my favs)

Quick step stairs

Long slow ascent

Triple set

Just a grind

Repeats galore

Stride it out

Onward and upward

Are you kidding me?

Aerial view of a couple sets

M.C Escher set

Really just want a burrito at this point

Cool down (and time for that burrito)