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Easy enough out and back. From the col, half trailed, half bushwhack.

Hiking Trail Description

Is this the worst hike in the Catskills? Trick question! Any hike of Bearpen & Vly can be the worst hike in the Catskills.

This route is slightly less crummy than the classic route to Vly & Bearpen which begins at the more popular trailhead on the south side of the col. Or maybe it just seems that way when you have good company.

But this route is also a little longer and has more elevation gain, so it’s a bit more of a workout. One advantage of starting on the north side of the col, is that Pratt Rock — New York’s Mount Rushmore, LOL — is close by, if you want to add that to your itinerary before or after you fall asleep for 1,000 years on Bearpen’s summit.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike Bearpen & Vly from the north?

Far too long. Allow 4-5 hours for this hike.

What is the elevation gain for Bearpen & Vly

Far too much. The elevation gain for this hike is 1,950 feet (apx 770 meters).

How do I stay awake on this hike?

Too much coffee? Consensually lewd conversation? Get your party to slap each other’s faces the whole way? Set fire to your hair and run it off?

Bearpen & Vly Hiking Trail Guide

The Bearpen & Vly hiking trail includes…

A long road walk in and out
Okay view from Bearpen
Vly feels a little bit Catskillian
Fun old abandoned cars

A full breakdown is provided below in the hike notes with lots of photos.

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Bearpen & Vly Trail Notes & Gallery

This hike would not be on most people’s to-do list if it wasn’t on a mountain hiking list. I hear it’s nice in spring when the flowers pop out, for about a week. Incredible. Bless all you crazy gridders who do this hike repeatedly.

I did really enjoy this hike, on this day, with friends. Good company is the best way to pass the minutes / hours / days / weeks / months / years on this prison sentence of a hike.

I mean, look at this nonsense…

Hike Bearpen and Vly in the Catskills — North side of old County Route 3

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