Sleepy Hollow's topography is defined by a transition from the Hudson River shoreline to rising inland hills. The waterfront area includes relatively low-lying land historically used for transport, industry, and now parkland and redevelopment. From there, streets climb eastward into residential neighborhoods and higher elevations shared with the ridge-and-valley character of southern Westchester.
- **Highest point:** No single widely cited official village high point is commonly listed in public summaries, but the highest land is in the inland eastern portion of the village. - **Lowest point:** Hudson River shoreline at approximately sea level. - **Hills and slopes:** Much of the village rises noticeably away from the waterfront, creating overlooks and grade changes within neighborhoods. - **Flood-prone areas:** Waterfront and low-lying areas near the river are the most exposed to flooding and storm impacts. - **Coastal/riverfront areas:** Though not coastal in the ocean sense, Sleepy Hollow has significant riverfront frontage along the tidal Hudson. - **Plateaus/canyons:** None of major scale within the village itself.
The topography contributes to both the village's character and its planning challenges. Waterfront redevelopment, road gradients, drainage, and viewsheds are all shaped by the way the land lifts from the river inland.
