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 add new 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
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…
How Indian is Indian Head?
Native American communities were forced out of The Catskills by the Indian Removal Act, signed into law in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson.
The Fried Chicken War of 1881
The Fried Chicken War is quality ding-dong Catskills drama. Oh, the shade!
Trail Guides
The Best Hikes
These are the best hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson Highlands, Gunks, Taconics….
Roaring Brook Falls
A very short and very fun hike to one of the most popular Adirondack waterfall destinations.
Hike Balsam From Rider Hollow
A truly delightful Catskills hike. Climb Balsam Mountain by hiking up Mine Hollow and down Rider Hollow. One of the most picturesque hikes in the Catskills.
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.
Hike Rochester Hollow
An easy hike through beautiful woods leads to a series of magnificent stone fences, ruins, and a memorial to John Burroughs. This is an underutilized and under-appreciated trail. Especially suited to skiers, trail-runners and animal track lovers.
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
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.
Hike Romer Mountain & Mount Pleasant
An exceptionally beautiful hiking trail brings you to one of the most spectacular vistas in the Catskills.
Hike Thomas Cole & Black Dome from Barnum Rd
A moderate Catskills hike — over consistently interesting and varied terrain — to two epic views.
Difficult Hikes
Richmond Mountain & Richtmyer Peak
Just parking for Richmond Mountain is 4WD dirt road dogfight.
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.
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.
Recommended Reads
Hiking Pace Formula
One of the simplest things you need to know about any hike is: how long will it take? Knowing a planned hike’s duration is crucial to being able to figure out what to bring in terms of safety supplies, water and food.
Best Camera Settings for Photographing Sunsets & Sunrises (40+ Tips)
Plan, prepare and shoot the perfect sunrise or sunset photo. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to Buy a Hiking Headlamp
For hikers and campers, headlamps are essential pieces of gear. Whether you’re hiking out at dusk after a long day, or hiking in, in the pitch dark for a glorious summit sunrise, a headlamp will keep you on track and safe.
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…
High Falls Conservation Area
Short, easy hiking trails wind through High Falls Conservation Area to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in New York.
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…
How Indian is Indian Head?
Native American communities were forced out of The Catskills by the Indian Removal Act, signed into law in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson.
How to Winter Hike: The Essential Roundup
If you’ve never hiked in winter, this is a great page to get started on your winter hike journey.
Inspiration Point (Catskills)
Inspiration Point in Kaaterskill Clove is one of the top scenic destinations in The Catskills.
The Fried Chicken War of 1881
The Fried Chicken War is quality ding-dong Catskills drama. Oh, the shade!
Cross Mountain Meathook
A long, quiet, remote and insanely beautiful hike with epic views.
Phenomenal Custard Toast Recipe
This recipe for custard toast is perfect for hikers who want a very filling breakfast that’s super-quick to make as well as insanely delicious to eat.
Platte Clove Road Winter Access
In winter, Platte Clove Road is closed to traffic on its eastern end. Use this alternate route to the eastern Devil’s Path and Kaaterskill High Peak.
Anthony’s Nose from Camp Smith II
This route to the wonderful scenic lookout on Anthony’s Nose is gentler than the classic route from the north.
Acra Point & Batavia Kill Loop with Burnt Knob Lookout
Acra Point & Burnt Knob is one of the most beautiful hikes in The Catskills. Gorgeous trails for miles, plus two amazing lookouts.
Dibbles Quarry & Beyond (Ultimate Guide)
A short, easy hike to the very memorable Dibbles Quarry in one of The Catskills’ loveliest notches.