Outdoor Recreation: Hiking

NOTE: The NYSDEC has developed several accessible recreation facilities in the Catskills for individuals with disabilities. For a complete list go to the DEC’s Accessible Recreation Destinations page and search their lists for Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. For more information about NY state parks and other facilities visit Accessible Outdoor Recreation Destinations in and around the Catskills.

Northern Catskills Park

Strenuous Hikes

Blackhead Range – Traverse the three high peaks that define the skyline of the northern Catskill Park; Thomas Cole (elev. 3,940′), Blackhead (elev. 3,940′), and Black Dome (elev. 3,980′). Mileage approx. 5-6 miles one-way depending on route. Scenic view points. NY/NJ TC Catskills Trail Map #41.

Devil’s Path – Doing even a small chunk of the 23-mile Devil’s Path can be considered an extremely strenuous hike, however the rewards are numerous and unforgettable. Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, and Twin are signature Catskill high peaks, and Plateau, Southwest Hunter, and Westkill Mountains will give you a better workout than you could ever pay for at a gym. Once you make it up to the spruce-fir summits, all of your troubles will disappear in the breeze. Amazing vistas from bluestone ledges will turn you into a romantic such as the likes of Thomas Cole and Washington Irving.

Moderate Hikes

Dibble’s Quarry and Pecoy Notch – A moderate hike of 1.9 miles one-way will take you through classic Catskills northern hardwood forest and typical rock outcrops, then to an abandoned bluestone quarry with modern-day charm, on to a tumbling stream through a hemlock ravine, up to a high-mountain beaver meadow, and finally to the rugged notch between Twin and Sugarloaf Mountains (elevation gain 1,000’).. More ambitious hikers can ascend the Devil’s Path to the summits on either side of the notch. Scenic views at Dibble’s Quarry and summits of Twin and Sugarloaf Mountains. NY/NJ TC Catskills Trail Map #41.

Huckleberry Point – Hike from the magical Platte Clove up onto the lower flanks of Kaaterskill High Peak and then out to a rocky promontory with fantastic views of the Hudson Valley, Platte Clove, and Indian Head Range. 2.5 miles one-way; gradual ascents. NY/NJ TC Catskills Trail Map #41

Easy Hikes

Catskill Mountain House Site and Artists Rock – Accessed via North-South Lake State Campground, this is arguably the foremost classic scenic view in the Catskill Park (along with the view of North-South Lake and South Mountain from North Mountain). The Catskill Mountain House Site is a short stroll from the parking areas at the campground and boasts an incredible panorama of the Hudson Valley. Artists Rock (0.5-mile from campground), Boulder Rock (0.75-mile from campground), and Sunset Rock (1.3-miles from campground) also have great views. This legendary area was America’s first great tourist destination and was visited by president’s, artists and the rich and powerful for over a century. NY/NJ TC Catskills Trail Map #40 and #41.

Diamond Notch Falls – At the end of Spruceton Road park in the area on the right. Hike up the Diamond Notch Trail along the West Kill for .7 miles to the falls. This is a great place for a picnic or to just explore and sit around.

Southern Catskills Park

Strenuous Hikes

Table and Peekamoose Mountains – Start in from the end of Denning Road, for a hike of 3.9 miles one-way to the summit of Table Mountain (elevation gain 1,700′), and another 0.85-mile brings you to the summit of Peekamoose. Alternate approach is 3.9 miles one-way to summit of Peekamoose Mountain, from Peekamoose Road (Ulster Co. Rt. 42)., (elevation gain 2,640′). Enjoy the magic kingdom of the spruce-fir forest that crowns our highest Catskill peaks.

Wittenberg Mountain – This is a tough hike with an enormous pay-off. Starting at the Woodland Valley Parking Area ( pay fee from mid-May to mid-October), hike up the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail 3.9 miles to the summit. The spectacular views over the Ashokan Reservoir and to the Devil’s Path Range are to die for. The summit elevaton is 3780′ with a climb of 2430′.

Moderate Hikes

Giant Ledge – Arguably the most “bang for the buck” in the Catskills, a short hike with some huffing and puffing is rewarded by breathtaking views on a series of 250′ high open ledges. To the east are views of the nearby Burroughs Range and to the west views of the high peaks of the Big Indian Wilderness. 3 miles out and back.

Bonus: Go in late May to early June for the pinxsters (azaleas) growing out of the ledges. Find bunchberries, yellow clintonia and more along the trail.

Easy Hikes

Red Hill Fire Tower – A 1.35-mile hike through a pleasant forest, uphill but not too steep, leads you to the Red Hill Fire Tower. Thanks to volunteer efforts, the tower is now completely restored and open to the public. Enjoy 360-degree views of the mountains. The old ranger cabin, open on most weekends in summer, now has old photographs and other interpretive material about the days when the tower was used by the State for spotting forest fires.

Ashokan Reservoir Promenade – Hike on a paved trail along the south shore of the reservoir over a dam and on a berm. The views to the Devil’s Path Trail on the east end of the hike and to the Burroughs Range west of the reservoir are stunning. Watch the bald eagles fishing and soaring. Round trip between the parking areas on SR 28A is about 5½ miles. Accessible route.

Ashokan Rail Trail – Hike on this mixed use paved trail along the north shore of the reservoir. Following the path of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, the trail spans 11 miles from West Hurley to Boiceville. Spectacular views of the reservoir and beyond are found along the way as are remnants of the long abandoned railroad. There is a mid-point parking lot in Shokan. https://ashokanrailtrail.com/ Accessible route.

Western Catskills Park

Strenuous Hikes

Dry Brook Ridge from Margaretville to Mill Brook Rd. This is a high ridge hike with long views west to the Pepacton Reservoir from several ledges. 9.6 miles.

Balsam Lake Mountain – By continuing south on the Dry Brook Ridge Trail another 2.2 miles to the junction with the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail you can climb this Catskills high peak (3720′) which treats you to a fire tower on its summit.

Bonus: Go on the weekend (spring through fall) and gain access to the fire tower cab and the interpretive knowledge of its keepers.

Moderate Hikes

Kelly Hollow – A nice loop trail through both serene hardwoods and deep dark Norway spruce plantations. Lean-to for camping next to a small beaver pond.

Easy Hikes

Alder Lake – Once you see what a beautiful place Alder Lake is, you’ll want to keep it to yourself. A bowl in the mountains, surrounded by State land. Great for canoeing, tent camping, and brook trout fishing. A one-mile loop trail circles the lake, mostly flat and dry. The old abandoned Coykendall mansion looking over the lake is quickly succumbing to a sad state of decay, but is still architecturally interesting. A spectacular place when the fall foliage peaks.

Waneta Lake – A pretty little lake that most people drive by without giving a second thought to. Hike over the “stepping stones” on the dam, and look for a yellow trail on the far side of the lake, leading to a handful of designated tent camping sites.

Northeastern Catskill Region

Strenuous Hikes

The Long Path – Strenuous hikes along a portion of the Long Path from ROute 23 west in Windham to Huntersfield Road in Prattsville. Approximately 15 miles over 8 mountains.

Moderate Hikes

Vroman’s Nose – The scenic gem of Schoharie County, this conspicuous promontory juts out over the pastoral Schoharie Creek Valley and provides fantastic views of some of New York’s best farmland. This preserve, maintained by the non-profit Vroman’s Nose Corporation, has dramatic ledges, an interesting geological history, and lies along the Long Path. Off NYS Rt. 30, near Middleburg.

Northwestern Catskill Region

Strenuous Hikes

Bearpen and Vly Mountains are the only two of the 35 Catskill High Peaks that are located outside of the Park. They are usually climbed on the same hike.

Moderate Hikes

Mount Utsayantha – Climb to spectacular views on this 3214′ peak with an early four story wooden observation house and a 60′ fire tower.

Easy Hikes

Emmons Pond Bog – A preserve owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, with a hiking trail in easy walking distance from the road. Approach through a meadow with many wildflowers, then walk through the shrubby edge of the pond before stepping out onto a short boardwalk through the bog mat that surrounds the pond. See pitcher plants and other bog vegetation.

The history of the pond and bog date back 11,000 years when the retreat of the last glacier left a depression which was soon filled with water. Sphagnum moss and other bog plants grew in the shallow water around the edge of the pond. Plant materials broke down slowly because of the acidity and low temperature of the water. As a result, the plant materials accumulated to form a floating doughnut-shaped mat around the pond. Beavers dammed the outlet stream in the late 1970s, so the bog mat is now ringed with water.

In the beginning of the trail there is a sign-in box and interpretive signs. The trail is easy and is marked with orange markers and is 1.4 mi long, circles the pond in a counter-clockwise direction. Southside Drive, 4 miles southeast of Oneonta in the Town of Davenport.

Catskill Scenic Trail – The scenic rolling hills and rich agricultural lands of the Delaware River Valley will surround you as you walk or bike on this gentle-grade path. Choose a stretch from the 20 miles of rail trail between Bloomville and Grand Gorge, or try out the newly completed 5.5-mile section from Grand Gorge to Roxbury. http://www.catskillscenictrail.org/

Southeastern Catskill Region

Moderate Hikes

Minnewaska State Park Preserve – Loop hike from Lake Minnewaska south to Gertrude’s Nose then north to Millbrook Mountain and back to the start. Stunning open views, white cliffs, dwarf pines and wild blueberries in season.

Easy Hikes

Mohonk Preserve Carriage Trails – Take a stroll along the under-cliff or over-cliff carriage trails in the Trapps section of the beautiful Shawangunk Ridge. Enjoy the mountain laurel when it’s in bloomin spring, pick blueberries when they’re ripe in fall, and watch rock-climbers whenever the rocks are dry. Mohonk Preserve day pass or season pass required.

Southwestern Catskill Region

Strenuous Hikes

Neversink Unique Area – Explore a secret treasure of the Catskill region – the Neversink Gorge. The Neversink is a wild and beautiful river, and here it flows through an out-of-the-way valley, over waterfalls and through thick forests. Trails of 1 to 3 miles one-way lead to the river, and then bush-whacking can be the best way to truly explore the river’s secrets.

Moderate Hikes

O & W Rail Trail – Two completed sections, one from Hurleyville to South Fallsburg, and one from Woodridge to Mountaindale, offer a relaxing stroll or bike ride.

Rock Rift Fire Tower Trail – A brand new rail trail added to the Fingerlakes Trail system, alongside the Cannonsville Reservoir — Click here for full details and maps

Easy Hikes

Crystal Lake Loop Trail – A relaxing loop hike around a beautiful hidden lake.

Rock Rift Rail Trail 7.8 miles. – A brand new rail trail added to the Fingerlakes Trail system, alongside the Cannonsville Reservoir — Click here for full details and maps