Difficult Catskill Peaks
These difficult mountains are suitable for hikers who are able to hike uphill for at least four hours. If you’re prepared to hike, and are physically fit, these peaks will provide some of the finest challenges and most jaw-dropping beauty in the Catskill Park.
Hiking With Doggo
Most of the mountains listed below are suitable for dogs, though your dog(s) should always be leashed and kept close. Many have routes that will require lifting your dog several feet, for example up a tricky ledge. Here’s a great read on how to hike your dog safely.
Difficult Catskills (24)
Black Dome 3994’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
One of my absolute favorite Catskills, Black Dome is a super fun mountain to hike from any direction.
No. of Entries: 3
Blackhead 3940’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
A tough climb, epic views, a long boreal summit, and ravens that mock.
No. of Entries: 2
West Kill 3898’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
The enormous final Devil’s Path mountain has so much to recommend it, including one of the best views in the Catskills.
No. of Entries: 5
Doubletop 3874’
Central Catskills
Private
Doubletop is no longer accessible to the public. It is private land. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
No. of Entries: 3
Cornell 3857’
Southern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Remote and wonderful, this mountain is a joy to hike. Cornell Crack is a well-known Catskills hiking highlight and, just past the summit, there’s an astonishing scenic view.
No. of Entries: 4
Plateau 3835’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Two of the steepest ascents in the Catskills rise to a stunning 2¼-mile-long ridge — with epic views on either end
No. of Entries: 6
Wittenberg 3782’
Southern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Is the finest view in the Catskill Park to be had from the Wittenberg’s ledge? Or does the view from Twin’s ledge edge it out? The only way to know is to climb both.
No. of Entries: 6
Rusk 3686’
Northeastern Catskills
Bushwhack
Canister
Steep, steep, steep but a good candidate for your first bushwhack hike. A little boring. (Add East Rusk for a much better time.)
No. of Entries: 2
Kaaterskill High Peak 3652’
Northeastern Catskills
Partially Trailed
Canister
Scenic
This iconic Catskill mountain packs several punches: an old Mohawk camp, two plane wrecks, two epic ledges and many scenic spots with some of the best mountain views in the Park.
No. of Entries: 6
Twin 3650’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Incredibly fun to hike, Twin Mountain includes some the grandest views in the Catskills.
No. of Entries: 8
Fir 3629’
Central Catskills
Bushwhack
Canister
A moderate bushwhack mountain often climbed in conjunction with Big Indian.
No. of Entries: 2
Balsam Cap 3608’
Southern Catskills
Bushwhack
Canister
Often done in combination with Friday Mountain, Balsam Cap offers a good view of Cornell & Wittenberg on the way to its archetypal Catskills summit.
No. of Entries: 3
Mount Sherrill 3558’
Northeastern Catskills
Bushwhack
Canister
Everything about Sherrill is a little bit mysterious…
No. of Entries: 4
Halcott 3509’
Northeastern Catskills
Bushwhack
Canister
Steep and tough, with fifty false summits, this bushwhack mountain will test your legs and your patience.
No. of Entries: 1
Round Top 3465’
Northeastern Catskills
Bushwhack
A small tricky peak with a large black bear population.
Coming Soon!
Arizona 3407’
Northeastern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Outrageously under-hiked peak that’s packed with classic Catskills terrain and a spectacular 180° scenic view.
No. of Entries: 2
Plattekill 3106’
Northeastern Catskills
Bushwhack
Scenic
This tough bushwhack mountain has one of the truly great Catskills views — but you’ll have to fight for it.
No. of Entries: 4
Ashokan High Point 3086’
Southern Catskills
Fully Trailed
Scenic
Beloved peak with views of the Ashokan Reservoir and the Burroughs Range, blueberry heaths, and a plane wreck.
No. of Entries: 8
Samuels Point 2880’
Central Catskills
Bushwhack
Scenic
Tough, short, prominent peak.
No. of Entries: 1
Mombaccus 2838’
Southern Catskills
Bushwhack
Punishing to hike, impossible to forget.
No. of Entries: 1
Samson 2825’
Southern Catskills
Bushwhack
Bushwhack mountain near Route 42 in Denning, NY. Source of Vernooy Kill.
No. of Entries: 2
Mount Pleasant 2800’
Central Catskills
Partially Trailed
Scenic
A beautiful mountain that boasts what might be the most stunning vista in the Catskills.
No. of Entries: 4
Little Ashokan 2790’
Southern Catskills
Bushwhack
Scenic
Little Ashokan’s summit is very beautiful. But this is a very sketchy bushwhack peak. For experienced mountain hikers only!
No. of Entries: 1
Ticetonyk 2510’
Southern Catskills
Partially Trailed
Scenic
This steep, prominent mountain rewards hikers with incredible views of the Ashokan Reservoir and Burroughs Range.
No. of Entries: 5