Start Your Mountain Hiking Here
With hundreds of mountain hiking trails, and countless bushwhack routes, there are so many ways to hike the mountains. I hike all year long and add new super-detailed trail guides every month…
Apart from the Classic Catskills High Peaks and the Best Hikes in the Catskills, you can also view lists of Popular Catskills Hikes and Scenic Catskills Hikes.
If you’re just starting out hiking, check out this Easy Hikes list. And, if you have family in tow, this list of 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.
Master Map for All Trail Guides
Check out this Adirondack and Catskills Hiking Map — it’s a master map of all the Catskills hiking trails in the Catskills High Peaks that have trail guides on this website. This map also includes my Adirondack Mountains Trail Map guide to all the Adirondack hiking trails on the site.
Catskills Fall Foliage
Get the latest intel on Catskills fall foliage, including the best Catskills fall foliage hikes and some truly incredible Adirondack fall foliage hikes.
What is the Hardest Hike in The Catskills?
It’s The Devil’s Path, one of the most difficult and notorious hikes on the East Coast. From end to end, the Devil’s Path is about 24 miles in length — and you’re looking at almost 9000’ of elevation gain with a similar amount of loss over the length of the trail. Pack your a-game!
Leave No Trace
Get up-to-speed with best practices in no time with the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
Hiking News & Culture
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2023
Everything you need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
Death in Rochester Hollow
The 69-year-old from Clinton Corners was hiking with two friends when he collapsed.
15 Best Hiking Movies, Ranked Perfectly
Want to watch the best hiking movies? This list spans multiple genres: comedy, horror, adventure, social criticism, biography, and spirituality. But it’s hiking all the way…
Trail Guides
The Best Hikes
These are the best hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, Gunks, Taconics….
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.
Hike Windham High Peak from Cross Road
This might be my new favorite way to hike WHP. The easy first mile and the hemlock-rich woods at the start of this route make it such a pleasant way to begin and end this beautiful day hike.
16 Reasons to Hike Huckleberry Loop Trail
Is Huckleberry Loop Trail the most beautiful hike in The Catskills? This mile-by-mile guide walks you through it all.
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.
Hike Windham High Peak from Cross Road
This might be my new favorite way to hike WHP. The easy first mile and the hemlock-rich woods at the start of this route make it such a pleasant way to begin and end this beautiful day hike.
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.
Bash Bish Falls
An easy walk leads to a spectacular payoff: Bash Bish Falls — Massachusetts’ highest waterfall.
Moderate Hikes
Poets Ledge
This route to Poets Ledge on Kaaterskill High peak is very steep but very rewarding.
Hike Romer Mountain & Mount Pleasant
An exceptionally beautiful hiking trail brings you to one of the most spectacular vistas in the Catskills.
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.
Difficult Hikes
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.
Bushwhack Ticetonyk from Peck Road
A short, steep bushwhack through old farmland dotted with stone fences, to excellent views of the Ashokan, Eastern Devil’s Path, Giant Ledge & Panther.
Rusk: First Bushwhack
Like me, if you’ve never been on a bushwhack hike—a hike without a trail—the thought of wandering into the woods with zero guide-rails seems completely intimidating. The best thing to do, here, is to join a group hike, or hook up an experienced pal who can show you the ropes.
Recommended Reads
12 Life-Changing Benefits of Winter Hiking
Are you willing to give up outdoor life for months on end? The hell you are. The benefits of winter hiking far outweigh the risks of staying inside for months on end.
Best Hiking Books for Hikers
These are the best hiking books I’ve found to date. Many were instrumental in getting me started, and giving me the confidence to hike the wilderness solo.
Wilderness Safety For You
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 the advice you’ll need, all in one place.
The Best Mountain Hikes
The Best Hikes You Can Do in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Gunks…
This mountain hiking list is a personally-curated selection of the most rewarding hikes you can do in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, Shawangunks, Taconics and elsewhere. Hike an awesome hiking trail 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.
Best Hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Shawangunks, Hudson Highlands, Taconics and more…
The most recent posts on this site…
Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge
Hiking Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge means a long wet hike in to the base of the summit — but then an epic Catskills climb.
Quiz: Catskills Scenic Spots
How well do you know your Catskills scenery?
Sugarloaf in Winter (Safest Route)
A beautiful hike to one of the grandest of Catskills high peaks.
4 Best Layers for Hikers in GaiaGPS
These are the four layers I use when planning a hike and navigating with GaiaGPS.
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2023
Everything you need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
Best Hiking Boots & Brands
If you’re looking for a new pair of hiking boots, this list of hiking boot brands and models will get you started with great recommendations.
Death in Rochester Hollow
The 69-year-old from Clinton Corners was hiking with two friends when he collapsed.
Burroughs Range Trail Loop
Incredible two-day hike over the highest and finest terrain in The Catskills.
Secret Hike: Gunks in the Cats
A true bushwhack to a surprisingly Gunks-like patch in the heart of The Catskills.
Are These the 46 Best Hikes in Scotland?
It’s up for debate. But not the quality of views on offer.
How to Identify Bear Tracks in Snow
It’s so exciting to identify bear tracks in snow. A clean bear print is an impressive thing, always a thrill to see.
Jay Mountain
An undulating woods hike to stunning views from multiple lookouts.