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The best views in New York aren’t where you’d expect
The best scenic Catskills views? Often, they’re not the ones you’ll find in any guidebook.
None of these seven amazing scenic Catskills views are summit views. (Only one is even on a Catskills High Peak!) But each lookout proves that high peak summits have no monopoly on the most dramatic, or most beautiful, views.
Indeed, many of the best Catskills scenery is found deep among the ridges and furrows of these amazing mountains.
Here are seven great secret spots…
Best Scenic Catskills Views
Ticetonyk Trail to West View
This new trail on the north side of the Ashokan Reservoir is non-technical, but pretty steep.
It leads to an amazing lookout with a grand view (see above) of the Burroughs Range, and a sweet partial view of the reservoir (see below) too.
Be sure to check out the ledge to the left of the boulder (to see some also some old-timey chiseled graffiti).
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View of Wittenberg from Mount Pleasant Ledge
The hike to Romer’s summit is locally popular for good reason: the trail is crazy beautiful. The hike from Romer out to Mount Pleasant is less travelled — but absolutely worth it: it leads to one of the most spectacular vistas in the Catskills.
Above, the view in summer. Below, the same view in spring.
This is the late spring view, before the lush green has kicked in for the summer. I can’t wait to get back out to this spot and take some full bloom shots. This is absolutely one of my favorite scenic Catskills views.
Echo Lake from Plattekill
You’ll have to work hard to find this view which is at the top of a small set of cliffs — but getting there requires bushwhacking through some dense mountain laurel — and this is rattlesnake terrain.
But, oh, this view…
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Guaranteed wow for your eyeballs, these are the most scenic hikes in the Catskills, Adirondacks and Taconics.
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