The Most Popular Hikes
These Catskills mountain hikes are beloved and often busy to the point of being beleaguered, especially at weekends. But they’re popular for a reason: most offer stunning scenic views from ledges or fire towers.
High Use Areas
Use this list to plan your visit — either to avoid known popular locations during busy times, or to visit them during off-peak hours and days.
Staff & Volunteers
On busy weekends, several high-use areas — e.g. Peekamoose Blue Hole, Kaaterskill Falls, Plattekill Clove — are staffed with specially trained Catskill Stewards.
You may also come across forest rangers. Their collective job is to help preserve our wild lands, though we can all be stewards through our sensitive use of the outdoors.
Timing is Everything
If you’re desperate to get away from people, these are definitely not the hikes for you — at least not at peak hours on peak days. Friday / Saturday / Sunday will see many of their trailheads overflowing by 9am.
Tip 1: Choose well. I prefer to do these hikes mid-week, when most people are at work. Or I will hike them in the very early hours, in the dark, on my way to a summit sunrise.
Tip 2: Have a concrete alternate hike in mind in case you need to switch to Plan B. Especially in 2020, during COVID times, trailheads seem twice as busy as they’ve ever been.
Tip 3: Leave No Trace. Carry out every single item you carry in. Leave zero trash, not even a single scrap of orange peel — it takes six months to decompose!
Vernooy Falls Trail: Waterfalls & Mill Ruins
The delightful Vernooy Falls hiking trail leads to one of the funnest spots in The Catskills.
Dix Range from Elk Lake
Demanding and spectacular, the Dix Range is one of the most rugged and scenic Adirondack mountain ranges.
Gertrude’s Nose Loop via Millbrook Mountain
This super-scenic hike takes in a lot: a gorgeous lake with epic cliffs, rugged trails, peek-a-boo views of the Hudson Valley, giant glacial erratics, as well as the world-famous Shawangunk cliffs at Gertrude’s Nose.
Giant’s Nubble via Roaring Brook Falls
The steep hike to Giant’s Nubble includes an epic waterfall — top and bottom — as well as incredible views of the surrounding high peaks.
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2022
Everything you’ll need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge safely.
Shop @TotalCatskills Prints
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Hadley Mountain Fire Tower
Delightful hike, sometimes steep, but a very rewarding payoff from Hadley Mountain Fire Tower.
Awosting Falls
Awosting Falls at Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of the most popular destinations in the Hudson Valley.
Best Fall Foliage Hikes in The Catskills
When the fall foliage hits, the Catskills offer a true golden spectacle. Here are a the most popular Catskills hikes to view the autumn extravaganza.
North Point & North Mountain from Scutt Road
The fastest route to North Point’s famous view is one of North Mountain’s prettiest trails.
Where to See the Best New York Fall Foliage 2021
It’s just starting now, in mid-September — the first signs of New York’s fall foliage. Here’s the best place to track your leafy updates…
Ashokan Rail Trail
Take a leisurely nature stroll (or cycle) along the scenic Ashokan Rail Trail, a premier Catskills destination.
