hiking shorts on hiker on mountain summit

KÜHL Hiking Shorts (Review)

We thought it would be fun to test some high-end hiking shorts. Would they live up to their own hype?

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teenager in gorge rock face

6 Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Catskills

These easy kid-friendly Catskills hikes have so much to offer your family.

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sunset view from Tremper Mountain fire tower

Tremper Mountain Fire Tower from Willow

A much quieter and more interesting route to Tremper Mountain Fire Tower

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YouTube Logo and Mountain Hiking Logo

TotalCatskills YouTube Channel

Here’s the link you need!

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orange steel and concrete bridge

Ashokan Rail Trail

Take a leisurely nature stroll (or cycle) along the scenic Ashokan Rail Trail, a premier Catskills destination.

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mountain peaks

It’s Official: Adirondacks 23% Harder Than Catskills

I thought it’d be cute to quantify exactly how much more difficult the Adirondacks are over the Catskills. Do we need this information? No. Does this information feel important? Yes.

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roaring brook falls seen from below

Roaring Brook Falls

A very short and very fun hike to one of the most popular Adirondack waterfall destinations.

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view from Giant’s Nubble in the Adirondacks

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.

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fire tower shot from below

Bramley Mountain Fire Tower (Kaatscast)

At Bramley Mountain, in the western Catskills, the fire tower was dismantled in the 1970s, but a local family has been keeping it safe in a nearby barn…

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sunrise with some clouds

Solar Eclipse 2021

Nothing beats watching the sun come up from a mountain summit — except maybe walking into the woods in the dead of night, alone, to catch an eclipse.

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fresh shoes on feet, and sour shoes and socks to the side

10 Best Post-Hike Hacks

One of my favorite post-hike hacks is to have a clean pair of socks and shoes waiting for me back at the car. It’s so amazing. Here are ten fantastic ways to treat yourself after a big day.

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small library of hiking books

Best Hiking Books for Hikers

These are the best hiking books I’ve found to date. Many were instrumental in getting me started, and giving me the confidence to hike the wilderness solo.

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view of Hudson River looking north at dusk

Storm King Mountain

This route offers better parking and quieter trails, with all the incredible views.

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hikers on breakneck ridge

Breakneck Ridge

Super scenic and super sketchy — this is the funnest and most popular day hike in New York’s Hudson Highlands.

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Kaaterskill Falls 7279 hiking trail

Death at Kaaterskill Falls

A young man from Yonkers went missing. After several days, his body was recovered from the base of the falls.

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three bug repellent products

Best Bug Spray & Bug Repellent

This three-tiered best bug spray system keeps me (mostly!) bite free in New York’s backcountry every season

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