Never Wonder Where You’ll Hike Next

This website contains hundreds of hyper-detailed hiking trail guides and how-to articles written by an experienced local hiker, so you can enjoy accurate, reliable trail info, and hike safer and better

CatskillsAdirondacks • Gunks
Hudson HighlandsTaconics

Hello, name is Sean, and you can follow me online @TotalCatskills

Updated monthly, this guide will inspire you to explore New York’s best hiking trails.

Comprehensive guide to the main ruins and more…

Here’s why you should make walking after meals a ritual.

Want classic Gunks terrain, scenic views and a fun cave? Hike this hike.

Overnight oats breakfasts are nutrient-dense powerhouses that fuel your body for day ahead.

The fun hike to Rip’s Rock from Winter Clove Inn leads to one of the key historical Catskills locations — and stunning views.

When to watch for black flies, how best to avoid them, how to repel them, and how to treat super-itchy black fly bites.

A short, sharp huffer-hike to a very tall fire tower with amazing views of the Catskills and Taconics.

A route that combines so many strange and disparate elements, it’s unforgettably weird!

A steep but straightforward route to one of the easiest bushwhack summits in the Catskills.

A refreshing perspective on outdoor experiences, emphasizing mindfulness, accessibility, and personal enjoyment.

Amazing Vacation Rentals

Rent These Incredible Properties

View Listings Now

 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

Walking After Meals reduced blood sugar

Surprising Reasons to Walk After Every Meal

Here’s why you should make walking after meals a ritual.

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High Falls Conservation Area

What is Soft Hiking?

A refreshing perspective on outdoor experiences, emphasizing mindfulness, accessibility, and personal enjoyment.

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Four kinds of water bottles seen from in front / overconsumption in the outdoors

Overconsumption in the Outdoors: How Brands Push Unnecessary Products

One constant upgrade push that really bugs me is the promotion of water bottles targeted at hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Overconsumption drives climate change.

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Trail Guides

The Best Hikes

These are the best hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, Gunks, Taconics….

rocks and roots on baxter mountain

Baxter Mountain Trail

Baxter Mountain Trail in the Adirondacks is on of the sweetest trails in Keene Valley. Baxter is also one of the most hike-able and scenic peaks in the area.

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chimney

Sloan Gorge Preserve

Sloan Gorge Preserve offers an absolutely delightful, short, and family-friendly nature walk.

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photo of fire tower at Hadley Mountain

Hadley Mountain Fire Tower

Delightful hike, sometimes steep, but a very rewarding payoff from Hadley Mountain Fire Tower.

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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.

awosting falls / richly flowing waterfall at dusk

Awosting Falls

Awosting Falls at Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of the most popular destinations in the Hudson Valley.

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Spruce & Sunshine

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.

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sunset over devil’s path mountain summits

Huckleberry Point

Huckleberry Point is one of the most beloved Catskills destinations. The trail is short, relatively easy, and leads to one of the most dramatic vistas in the Catskill Mountains.

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  Moderate Hikes

inspiration point view

Inspiration Point (Catskills)

Inspiration Point in Kaaterskill Clove is one of the top scenic destinations in The Catskills.

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rocks and roots on baxter mountain

Baxter Mountain Trail

Baxter Mountain Trail in the Adirondacks is on of the sweetest trails in Keene Valley. Baxter is also one of the most hike-able and scenic peaks in the area.

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scenic view snow

Mill Brook Ridge via Kelly Hollow

This is the shortest route to Mill Brook Ridge’s summit over public land. It includes a full loop of Kelly Hollow, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Catskills. A short-but-steep bushwhack connects the two locations.

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   Difficult Hikes

hiker on rock outcrop on Panther Mountain in The Catskills

Panther Mountain from Woodland Valley

The Woodland Valley route to Panther is not a trail section that many people use — which just makes it all the more appealing.

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ticetonyk

Ticetonyk Mountain Trail to West View

I figured Ticetonyk was beautifully positioned to have great views — but I had no idea. Ticetonyk’s lookouts are now among my favorites in The Catskills.

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boulders in stream

Fisherman’s Path

The Fisherman’s Path is an unmaintained hiking trail in Denning, New York, popular with casual hikers for weekend campouts and used regularly by 3500 hikers to access Rocky & Lone mountains. The entire trail is exceptionally beautiful.

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Recommended Reads

sunset view from rocky ledge

How Windy is Too Windy To Hike?

I moved my hike from a windy Friday to a less windy (but much colder) Saturday. 80% of my online followers agreed with me. Here’s why.

  Read ›

Adirondacks fall foliage valley scene Jay Mountain

6 Incredible Fall Foliage Hikes in the Adirondacks

When that Adirondack fall foliage hits, you don’t want to miss it. Here’s a selection of incredible hikes to view the ADK extravaganza.

  Read ›

catskills fall foliage 2022

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.

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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.

Stay Safe

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!

Best Hikes

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.

Catskill High Peaks

Best Hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Shawangunks, Hudson Highlands, Taconics and more…

The most recent posts on this site…

Where to Hike in New York in June

Updated monthly, this guide will inspire you to explore New York’s best hiking trails.

Cornish Estate / Northgate Ruins

Comprehensive guide to the main ruins and more…

Surprising Reasons to Walk After Every Meal

Here’s why you should make walking after meals a ritual.

Undivided Lot & Laurel Ledge Loop

Want classic Gunks terrain, scenic views and a fun cave? Hike this hike.

Harness the Power of Overnight Oats: Ultimate Breakfast for Hikers

Overnight oats breakfasts are nutrient-dense powerhouses that fuel your body for day ahead.

Rip’s Rock from Winter Clove Inn

The fun hike to Rip’s Rock from Winter Clove Inn leads to one of the key historical Catskills locations — and stunning views.

Gall Wasps & Oak Trees: A Hiker’s Guide

Unpacking the mysteries of gall wasps and their unique, creepy-beautiful galls

Black Fly Season Means Black Fly Bites

When to watch for black flies, how best to avoid them, how to repel them, and how to treat super-itchy black fly bites.

Walk Through Mud

Here are three great reasons to always walk directly down the middle of every trail, and especially through any mud puddles or water you find on the trail.

Stissing Mountain: New Trail from Thompson Pond

A super fun new route (currently under construction) up a steep rugged side of Stissing Mountain.

Stissing Mountain Fire Tower (Classic Trail)

A short, sharp huffer-hike to a very tall fire tower with amazing views of the Catskills and Taconics.

Hodge Pond 3: The Nazgûl Loop

A route that combines so many strange and disparate elements, it’s unforgettably weird!