The Moderate Hikes
Ginseng & Hayden: Quiet Northern Catskills
A very quiet and peaceful section of the Northern Catskill Escarpment / Long Path, free of Classic Catskills crowds.
Steep Catskills Hike to Two Lookouts
A short, steep Nature Walk through peaceful woods to two views of the Ashokan Reservoir and surrounding Catskills peaks.
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower Classic Hike
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower offers incredible 360° views of dozens of classic Catskill mountains.
Hike Cross Mountain from Woodland Valley
This moderate hike along quiet trail packs a punch: stunning forest, dramatic rock formations, and a spectacular panoramic scenic lookout.
Giant Ledge & Panther & Bushwhack
This classic route to Giant Ledge is a short moderate hike with a huge pay-off: a series of ledge views which are spectacular in all seasons. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Catskills.
Hike Romer Mountain & Mount Pleasant
An exceptionally beautiful hiking trail brings you to one of the most spectacular vistas in the Catskills.
Alander Mountain from Bash Bish Trailhead
This is a great route if you crave solitude among pitch pines, interesting geology, and solid scenic views.
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.
Windham High Peak via Burnt Knob (with Acra Point)
Hike to Windham High peak through beautiful riparian terrain to a long ridge that’s peppered with amazing views.
Hike Thomas Cole & Black Dome from Barnum Rd
A moderate Catskills hike — over consistently interesting and varied terrain — to two epic views.
Graham Mountain & Balsam Lake
This long day-hike combines Graham and a loop around Balsam Lake’s summit.
Hike Balsam, Haynes & Eagle from McKenley Hollow
A long hike over rugged terrain that takes you to one of the best lookouts in the Catskills Park and through one of my favorite cols.
Hike Big Indian & Fir via Biscuit Brook
This was one of my earliest mountain hikes and by far my longest hike at the time. In the shin-deep snow, I found it extremely tiring. However, after another year in the hills, with much stronger legs, I would now class this as a moderate hike — which seems to suggest: one’s experience hiking depends on one’s hiking experience.
Hike Table & Peekamoose from Denning
I was not prepared for how much I would fall in love with this hike. I’d heard both summits were low on scenic views so my plan was to just check both peaks off my 3500 list and move on. Wrong. So wrong. 100% dead-ass wrong.
