The Hardest Hikes
These hikes, whether in The Catskills or Adirondacks, are the most challenging.
They should only be attempted by experienced hikers, or as part of a group led by an experienced hike leader.
Make sure you have read the wilderness safety section and are well equipped with at least The Ten Essentials.
Dix Range from Elk Lake
Demanding and spectacular, the Dix Range is one of the most rugged and scenic Adirondack mountain ranges.
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.
Table, Peekamoose, Lone & Rocky
The easiest and most beautiful route to Lone and Rocky — but this is still one of the hardest hikes in The Catskills
Breakneck Ridge
Super scenic and super sketchy — this is the funnest and most popular day hike in New York’s Hudson Highlands.
Thru-Hike North Dome & Mount Sherrill
This intense bushwhack route over two of the most difficult Catskills peaks is challenging and rewarding.
Rocky and Lone via Fisherman’s Path
Due to the remoteness of its two mountains, the ruggedness of the terrain, and the skin-shredding forest, this is widely regarded as the toughest hike in the Catskills.
Little Ashokan
The bushwhack to Little Ashokan is one of the steeper and sketchier routes I’ve hiked in the Catskills: craggy ledges, loose dirt and rocks, lots of blowdown. But the summit is magical, and the view it affords it is startlingly beautiful.
Hike Slide, Cornell & Wittenberg
This is my favorite tough-but-beautiful Catskills hike. Long, rugged, technical and remote, it brings you over three summits to some of the most stunning lookouts in the Catskill Park.
Panther Peak via Santanoni Road
This is a long, steep, beautiful hike up one of the more challenging ranges in the Adirondacks: the Santanoni range.
Van Wyck (via Bear Hole Brook) plus Table and Peekamoose
A stunning hike up Bear Hole Brook to the exceptionally steep Van Wyck. Two bear holes. Two plane wrecks. Two talus fields. One of the most memorable Catskills views I’ve seen. This is a very difficult route. Best tackled in a group with experienced, knowledgable hikers.
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.
Best Day Hike in the Catskills: Wittenberg, Cornell, Slide
As rugged as I suspected — but more beautiful than I imagined.
Thru-Hike Doubletop, Graham & Balsam Lake
This hike really has it all: stream crossings, herd paths, bear prints, a canister, a memorably steep descent, a true bushwhack, a rugged ascent, an ice grotto, some old ruins and, to top it all off, a fire tower with amazing sunset views.
Friday, Balsam Cap & B-25 Crash Site
A long, tough, rewarding hike that follows woods roads and herd paths, and ends with a true bushwhack to the wreckage of a WWII military bomber.
The Six: Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky, Lone, Table, Peekamoose
I was definitely nervous to go on this hike. I knew it was long and demanding. It crosses six mountains and some of the gnarliest terrain in the Catskills. But tackling it as part of a group made it a fantastic experience.
