New York Hike Finder
Zero in on the perfect hike for your time, energy, and experience level. Instantly filter hundreds of detailed trail guides by length, elevation gain, and difficulty.
The New York Hike Finder links to all my in-depth trail guides, packed with maps, trailhead info, top-notch photos, local knowledge, and tips direct from the trail.
Filter by length mix/max.
Filter by elevation gain, min and max.
Filter by difficulty: easy / moderate / difficult / hardest.
I’ll add filtering by region and by features soon.
LMK how this version works for you—it’s brand new, so bug reports are helpful!
Thanks,
Sean
P.S. Get the best Catskills hiking maps and teach yourself how to use a compass.
How to Use the New York Hike Finder
Planning a challenging day in the High Peaks? Looking for a short, scenic walk with big views? The hike finder makes it simple to sort through all your options. Use the sliders to choose a range of hike lengths (in miles) and elevation gains (in feet), and check the boxes to filter by difficulty—from easy strolls to the most demanding climbs in the Northeast.
Coverage Areas
This tool focuses on New York hikes across the Catskill Mountains, Adirondack Mountains, Hudson Highlands, and Shawangunks. You’ll find classics like Slide Mountain, Giant Ledge, The Devil’s Path, and the Dix Range alongside lesser-known gems that rarely make it onto standard trail lists.
And I do travel outside of NY State sometimes, so there are a few eastern US hikes on the site, some from around San Francisco, and a few from Ireland. You’ll find those mixed in to the New York Hike Finder results.
Plan the Right Hike for You
- Beginner-friendly trails with gentle grades and great scenery
- Intermediate hikes with steeper climbs and bigger payoffs
- Expert-level routes with rugged terrain, scrambles, or high mileage
Every trail guide includes route descriptions, parking details, difficulty ratings, seasonal notes, and GPX files you can download to your phone or GPS device. Enjoy!
Why Use a New York Trail Finder?
The Catskills and Adirondacks offer some of the most diverse hiking in the Northeast, from fern-filled valleys and boreal forests to open summits with sweeping 360° views. It’s a lot to sort through. The New York Trail Finder tool won’t leave you hanging.
A Few Favorites to Get You Started
- Giant Ledge & Panther Mountain (short but steep, with some of the best views in The Catskills)
- Cascade & Porter Mountains (two popular Adirondack High Peaks in one outing)
- Overlook Mountain (easy access, big views, and a fire tower)
Before You Go
The Catskills mix accessible peaks with rugged backcountry, while the Adirondacks deliver everything from quick fire tower climbs to multi-day traverses across alpine ridges.
Always check the weather forecast, bring the right gear, and follow Leave No Trace principles to keep these wild places beautiful for future hikers.
With the New York Hike Finder, you can quickly explore my entire catalog of personal trail guides and discover your next adventure in the mountains—quickly!
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