Hiking News & Culture
12 Best Hiking Apps
The best hiking apps broken into four categories: navigation/planning, field identification, photography, and fun.
34 Best Restaurants in the Catskills
This up-to-date list of the best Catskills cafes and restaurants will help make your next pre- or post-hike chow extra-awesome.
Solo Hiking Advice for Women: Persist
Solo women hikers often face pushback from friends and family who’s anxiety is triggered by the suggestion that a woman might be heading into the wilderness alone. It’s time to call that what it is.
Arnold Guyot’s 1879 Catskills Map
Do you know where Bee Line Mountain is in The Catskills? You’re about to find out…
Patreon vs Amazon
I currently use Amazon affiliate links on this site, in my email newsletter, and sometimes on my @TotalCatskills story feed on Instagram. Patreon may offer a way out of that compromise.
Mountain Hiking Trails
The Best Hikes
These are the best mountain hikes in the Catskills, Taconics and Adirondacks.
Dix Range from Elk Lake
Demanding and spectacular, the Dix Range is one of the most rugged and scenic Adirondack mountain ranges.
Complete Devil’s Path Trail Guide
Everything you need to know about the Devil’s Path — one of the most difficult hiking trails in New York State.
Nun-Da-Ga-O Ridge Loop
The Nun-Da-Ga-O ridge is as tough as it is magical. Do not let these low mileage and elevation numbers trick you!
Hadley Mountain Fire Tower
Delightful hike, sometimes steep, but a very rewarding payoff from Hadley Mountain Fire Tower.
Windham High Peak in 3 Minutes (Walk-Thru Video)
This is one of my favorite hikes to do in The Catskills. This video walks you through the trails and junctions from trailhead to summit, giving you a clear sense of just how lovely this hike is.
Twin from Roaring Kill
One of the most entertaining trails in the Catskills leads to one of the range’s best panoramic views — but it also contains what might be the Catskills’ most challenging section of trail.
The Bug Bite Thing
Easy Mountain Hikes
Be aware that “easy mountain hikes” does not mean “easy hikes” — before you go, learn how to stay safe on a mountain.
Ashokan Rail Trail
Take a leisurely nature stroll (or cycle) along the scenic Ashokan Rail Trail, a premier Catskills destination.
Vernooy Falls Trail: Waterfalls & Mill Ruins
The delightful Vernooy Falls hiking trail leads to one of the funnest spots in The Catskills.
Hike Huntersfield via Ashland Pinnacle
Situated among some of the most bucolic land in New York State, this quiet trail over lush peaks makes for a rich, rewarding and restorative hike.
Huckleberry Point
Huckleberry Point is one of the most beloved Catskills destinations. The trail is short and relatively easy. In 75 minutes or so, you’ll get to one of the most dramatic vistas in the Catskill Mountains.
Kelly Hollow Loop
Short, easy and thoroughly absorbing, Kelly Hollow Loop is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Catskills. It came highly-recommended and it absolutely delivered.
Red Hill Fire Tower Classic Trail
This short, easy hike up beautifully-maintained trail in bucolic New York leads to dramatic views of the Southern and Western Catskills.
Moderate Hikes
Gertrude’s Nose Loop via Millbrook Mountain
This super-scenic hike takes in a lot: a gorgeous lake with epic cliffs, rugged trails, peek-a-boo views of the Hudson Valley, giant glacial erratics, as well as the world-famous Shawangunk cliffs at Gertrude’s Nose.
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower from Willow
A much quieter and more interesting route to Tremper Mountain Fire Tower
Classic Tremper Mountain Fire Tower Hike
This short, moderate hike to one of the most popular fire towers in the Catskills ends with an incredible 360° view of dozens of classic Catskill mountains.
Hunter Mountain Fire Tower (Best Route)
This moderate and very scenic hike can be completed in 4-5 hrs. This is the easiest route to climb Hunter Mountain.
Hike Giant Ledge & Panther Mountain
This classic route to Giant Ledge is a short moderate hike with a huge pay-off: a series of ledge views which are spectacular in all seasons. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Catskills.
Balsam Lake Fire Tower
Even light snow cover turns Balsam Lake into a glittering winter wonderland. And it’s a cinch to hike. A cold fall morning is the perfect time to take in the fire tower’s incredible 360° view. Winter hikes to the tower are absolutely spectacular.
Difficult Hikes
Hike Kaaterskill High Peak & 2 Plane Wrecks
KHP’s summit is a Catskills classic with a spectacular view from Hurricane Ledge. This route takes in two eerie plane wrecks, and there is much to see on the long trek in and out. This a tough, muddy, rewarding hike.
Rusk & East Rusk
The very steep bushwhack up the south side of Rusk is never a ton of fun. But Rusk’s summit is lovely and, if you hike over to East Rusk, your day just gets lovelier.
Halcott, Sunset Bushwhack
I didn’t think too much of Halcott when I did it last spring, but this hike changed my mind. There’s a lot to see: the woods are spectacular, the ravines are beautiful and, at sunset, the summit is a Catskill photographer’s dream.
Plateau & Daley Ridge Lookout
This is the quickest route to Plateau Mountain’s summit. A side-hike down Daley Ridge brings you to a second amazing scenic lookout.
Hike Sugarloaf & Twin from Roaring Kill
Any hike that includes Twin Mountain is a great hike. From either side, Twin offers some the funnest ascents in the Catskill Park. But the western side of Twin, with its steep talus field and a section of technical open rock face, is perhaps the toughest 0.7 mile you’ll hike on any Catskill trail.
Eagle Mountain from Seager
Not many people hike this way to Eagle but it’s the most beautiful route. The Seager Big Indian trail which passes along Dry Brook is uniquely challenging and magical.
Recommended Reads
It’s a Great Idea to Turn Around When…
Have you ever turned around on a hike for any reason? Hike safely. Always listen to your gut.
How to Shorten Your Reservoir Hose
This is a great 2-minute project. Shorten your reservoir hose and enjoy every future hike that little bit more.
The 10 Essentials: What to Pack for Every Hike
The ten essentials is a list of items you should carry on every trip into the backcountry. This essential gear can keep you safe and on track. In an emergency, it might save your life.
Best Camera Settings for Photographing Sunsets & Sunrises (40+ Tips)
Dawn and dusk: there’s no better time of day to shoot landscapes than when the sun is low on the horizon. Here’s everything you need to know to plan, prepare, and pull off the perfect sunrise photo shoot.
The 3 Best Ways to Not Die on a Hike
Every month, people get into trouble in the Catskills, almost always because they are under-prepared. Here are the 3 best things you can do to stay safe on your hike, while making sure you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.
Wilderness Safety Basics
Mountain Hiking, Planning Tips, Gear Lists, Emergency Numbers
Start mountain hiking safely, hike well, finish in one piece. Here’s everything you’ll need: your clothing, your gear, how to plan a safe hike in every season, the best apps, what to eat, what to bring. It’s all the advice, all in one place.
The Best Mountain Hikes
The Very Best Hikes You Can Do in the Catskills, Gunks, Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, Taconics…
This mountain hiking list is a personally-curated selection of the most rewarding hikes you can do in the Catskills, Taconics and Adirondacks. Use this list to hike an awesome hike every week!
The Catskills High Peaks
The Traditional List of Catskills Peaks Above 3500’
Most people begin mountain hiking in the Catskills by climbing a few High Peaks: Indian Head, Slide Mountain & Balsam Lake are popular starting points. Here are the summits you’ll need to bag if you want to join the Catskill 3500 Club.
Or Start Mountain Hiking Here…
With hundreds of miles of mountain hiking trails and countless bushwhack routes, there are so many ways to hike the mountains. I can’t make new peaks, but I do add new hikes regularly…
Apart from the Classic Catskills High Peaks and the Best Catskill Hikes, you can also view lists of Popular Catskills Hikes and Scenic Catskills Hikes.
If you’re just starting out, check out the Easy Hikes list.
If you have kids in tow, these Kid-Friendly Hikes will give you plenty of great options.
For anyone new to hiking, Nature Walks are a great way to get a deep dose of forest magic without much uphill effort.
Finally, you can view a simple but complete list of all the Catskills peaks I’ve hiked, with all their associated hikes. (The Taconics and Adirondacks lists are small right now, but growing.)
Best Hikes in the Catskills, Hudson Highlands, Adirondacks, Taconics, and more…
This website’s 12 most recent posts in reverse-chronological order
Red Hill Fire Tower from Denning
This new route to Red Hill Fire Tower is a little longer and tougher than the classic route, but so much sweeter.
North Dome, Mount Sherrill & Hagadone Hollow
The bushwhack over North Dome and Mount Sherrill is never easy. I found a way to make it even more difficult.
18 Amazing Western Catskills Hikes
Some of the best day hikes are only a few hours from New York City. The Western Catskills have it all!
Shavertown Trail
The Shavertown Trail offers a steep hike to a wonderful lookout, with a break in the middle at a sweet pond with its own view.
Race Brook Falls & Mount Everett
This rugged route passes along the bottom of Race Brook Falls, then climbs through beautiful forest to a scenic lookout beyond the summit of Mount Everett.
Poet’s Ledge
This route to Poet’s Ledge on Kaaterskill High peak is very steep but very rewarding.
How to Shorten Your Reservoir Hose
This is a great 2-minute project. Shorten your reservoir hose and enjoy every future hike that little bit more.
Nun-Da-Ga-O Ridge Loop
The Nun-Da-Ga-O ridge is as tough as it is magical. Do not let these low mileage and elevation numbers trick you!
Hike Your Dog Safely in the Summer Heat
From springtime on, heat indices can regularly blow past safe limits for our canine companions. Here’s how to keep your pooch cool and safe on the trail this season.
12 Best Hiking Apps
The best hiking apps broken into four categories: navigation/planning, field identification, photography, and fun.
Richmond Mountain & Richtmyer Peak
Just parking for Richmond Mountain is 4WD dirt road dogfight.
34 Best Restaurants in the Catskills
This up-to-date list of the best Catskills cafes and restaurants will help make your next pre- or post-hike chow extra-awesome.