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:Â 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!
Catskills Fall Foliage 2024
Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2024 Week 6: Oct 21-27 On Sunday, I visited Kaaterskill Falls, one of the most popular spots in the Catskills. Typically, as it’s a very protected clove, the leaves stay here longer than in other parts of the Catskills.
Falling Waters Preserve
Head to Falling Waters Preserve for a delightful stroll that’s all about the simple joys of being outside.
Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower
This Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower hike offers easy, delightful trails that lead to stunning 360° views of the surrounding Hudson Valley. Here’s everything you need to know.
Sam’s Point, Ice Caves, Verkeerderkill Falls
This is a truly unforgettable Shawangunks adventure.
The 7 Best Hikes Near Woodstock NY
The very best hikes near Woodstock, New York. And they’re all family-friendly!
Monument Mountain & Devil’s Pulpit
Monument Mountain is one of the Berkshires’ most beloved landmarks.
Wittenberg & Cornell from Woodland Valley
An extremely rewarding hike that includes the infamous Cornell Crack and breathtaking views from both mountains.
Overlook Mountain Fire Tower Trail
You can hike up Overlook Mountain’s easy trail in about an hour. The fire tower at the end of this short trail is positioned to give one of the most dramatic views in the Catskills.
Mount Chocorua via Piper Trail
A stunning hike up Mount Chocorua via the Piper Trail, one of the most celebrated paths in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.Â
Poets’ Walk Park on the Hudson River
An inspiring trail that leads to a large pavilion with impressive views.
Slide Mountain (Best Route)
This loop features an easy ascent, great Catskills views, and a beautiful walk-out that passes through varied woods and terrain.
Steep Ravine, Dipsea Trail & Matt Davis Loop
The storied Steep Ravine/Dipsea/Matt Davis loop has it all: Redwoods, gorges, chaparral, even the Pacific Ocean.
Cascade & Porter Hike
This entry-level Adirondack High Peak hike is a great introduction to the rigors of mountain hiking: rough trails, rocky scrambles and incredible views make this short day-hike super rewarding.
Hadley Mountain Fire Tower
Delightful trails and gorgeous views. Hadley Mountain Fire Tower has a lot you’ll love.
