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A sometimes-tricky to navigate loop.
Hiking Trail Description
Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort is the last family-run ski resort in The Catskills. It’s famous and beloved — you can hike it!
Plattekill Mountain near the town of Roxbury, NY, isn’t just a ski resort. It’s one of the most prominent year-round destinations in the Catskills. This privately owned and operated mountain has quietly built a loyal following among skiers and snowboarders since the 1950s. But what many people don’t know is that, in the warmer months, Plattekill is open to hikers, offering access to some of the most unique and under-the-radar ridge hiking in the Catskills.
This guide covers everything you need to know about hiking Plattekill Mountain — a scenic, moderately challenging ridge loop that brings you to two separate summits, each crowned with ski lifts and broad Catskills views.
With permission from the resort, I recently hiked the mountain and explored its summer trail network. Read on to learn how you can hike Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort, too – it’s super easy to organize.
The Heart of Independent Skiing — and Now Hiking
What sets Plattekill apart, in winter or summer, is that it’s still family owned and fiercely independent. Bought out of foreclosure in 1993 by skier László Vajtay, the resort has resisted corporate homogenization and stayed deeply rooted in the local Roxbury community.
In winter, it’s known for long steeps, deep powder, and a cult following of ski purists. In summer, that ethos translates to quiet trails, friendly permission, and an invitation to explore.
You won’t find crowds here, or paved paths, or gift shops at the summit. You will find authentic Catskills mountain vibes, a supportive local business, and one of the best lesser-known hikes in the region.
Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort Hiking Trail
If you’re looking for a quiet, unusual, and scenic loop hike in the Catskills that mixes big-sky ski run panoramas with forested ridgeline trails, this loop should definitely be on your list.
Most hikers can complete the full loop in 2 or 3 hours, with plenty of time to linger at the top.
Note: the route is not formally marked like a DEC trail, so a GPS app or familiarity with ski terrain is helpful. You can also pick up a simple map from the main lodge, if it’s open.
The Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort hiking trail includes…
- Good parking (see the note at the end of this trail guide)
- Easy to moderate trails (no scrambles)
- Fun-to-see off-season ski resort apparatus!
- Great views from both summits
- Even better views when the leaves are off the trees 😉
A full breakdown is provided below in the hike notes with 15 photos.
Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort Hike Time
Allow 2-3 hours for this hike.
Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort Elevation Gain
The elevation gain for this hike is 1,110 feet (apx 335 meters).
BTW, you might also enjoy…
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Plattekill Mountain Photos & Trail Notes
The Plattekill Mountain hiking loop begins at the base lodge (2,400′) and climbs steadily around the western side of the resort, eventually gaining the main ridge and looping around the top of the ski area. Along the way, you’ll hit two separate high points, both over 3,400′ in elevation. The summits are broad, grassy, and open, thanks to their role in winter sports, with wide views across the Northern Catskills and into Delaware County.
Note: Permission is Required, but Easy to Obtain
Here’s how…
First, check there’s no wedding happening on the day you plan to hike. (I’ll have a list here soon.) Most weddings are weekend affairs so, even if a weekend is booked, weekdays are a good bet to hike these quiet trails.
Second, when you arrive…
- If the ski center resort lodge is open, simply go inside to the customer service desk, sign the form, and pick up a free map. That’s it. Enjoy your hike!
- If the lodge is closed, pay attention to the “hike at your own risk” sign and proceed with caution.
Head up past the snow tubing area but turn left before you enter the base of the ski runs. Find the trail that leads south and start hiking up the work road…
Much of the loop follows work roads and ski access paths, but there’s also a pleasant stretch of ridgeline single-track that winds through ferny glades and shady forest, where you may not see another soul.
Along the way, there are some pretty sweet views…
And some interesting spots…
Despite being an active ski resort, Plattekill’s summer hiking trails are very peaceful, especially on weekdays. There’s a sense of getting to peek behind the curtain, of being let into a space usually reserved for winter, and the mountain’s independent spirit is felt throughout.
This was one tricky spot, figuring out how to get off the first summit to continue along the trail. This small sign is right behind the top of the ski lift…
It won’t be long before you make your way to the summit of North Plattekill proper…
From here, on the descent, the are some switchbacks through mostly forested terrain, but there’s this nice side view of some ski runs too…
And you may pass some fun ski resort ordnance staged for the summer months…
After 4 miles, you’ll pop out of the woods down by the lower lot…
Similar Hikes
I love loop hikes, and there aren’t too many in the Catskills. And this is a (somewhat modern) history hike too.
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Hike Plattekill Mountain Ski Resort Trailhead
Two lots, park in the lower one in case the gate gets closed
Google Maps Location: 42.289598225285864, -74.65314897964342
The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead
Cell Service
No cell service down low. But better cell service up high. My network is Verizon. YMMV.
The parent mountain for this hike is North Plattekill.
