Scenic
Scenic Catskills Hikes & Nature Walks
Guaranteed wow for your eyeballs. These are the most scenic hikes in the Catskills. (The view above is from the epic lookout on the eastern side of Black Dome.)
Hike Twin from Roaring Kill
This is one of the most entertaining hiking trails in the Catskill Park, leading up to one of its grandest panoramic views — but it also contains what is maybe the Park’s most challenging, technical and potentially dangerous trail sections. The Devil’s Path is famous for being one of the most difficult hiking trails in the US.
Hike Panther from Fox Hollow
This route, through the barely-travelled Fox Hollow — a quiet and wild place — offers ever-changing terrain and lots of wildlife. If you crave solitude and scenic views, this is the hike for you.
Hike Romer Mountain & Mount Pleasant
An exceptionally beautiful hiking trail brings you to one of the most spectacular vistas in the Catskills.
New Catskills Hiking Trail: Ticetonyk Mountain
This brand new trail is un-blazed but it’s based on old roads and logging trails so it’s easy to follow. Although it’s short, it’s steep, and there are three unmarked turns along the way. I’ve included key photos in the post, and all major waypoints are included in the GPS track, which you can download.
Hike Balsam From Rider Hollow
A truly delightful Catskills hike. Climb Balsam Mountain by hiking up Mine Hollow and down Rider Hollow. One of the most picturesque hikes in the Catskills.
Hike Windham High Peak from Peck Road
This is the hike I recommend to anyone who’s never hiked in the Catskills before, or is wondering if they’d even be able to handle a mountain hike. (Yes, you can.) It’s a short and easy hike — but it’s also very beautiful and so rewarding.
New Hiking Trail: Ashokan Quarry Trail
The Ashokan Quarry Trail is a brand new, short, but highly entertaining hike most people will be able to do in under an hour. It’s so varied in terms of terrain, flora, views and ruins, I suspect it will be a hit with younger hikers, too.
Hike Arizona Mountain from Stork’s Nest Rd
A quiet, steep and difficult hiking trail that grows more rewarding with every step you climb. It includes one of the truly great views in the Catskills.
Tanbark Loop: a Short, Difficult, Beautiful Hike
A short, steep, rocky intense hike right in the heart of Phoenicia. Lots of dramatic Catskills geology. Two excellent views.
Hike Plateau via Daley Ridge
This is one of the most outstanding and exceptionally well-designed trails in the Catskills. It offers multiple scenic viewpoints, some of which are the best in the Park. The rocky terrain and rolling woods on Daley Ridge are epic the whole way up.
Best Hike in the Catskills: Wittenberg, Cornell, Slide
This hike does not disappoint. It’s long and difficult, with some hairy sections, but the rewards are enormous and regular, pouring generously into your day, one after another. I’ve decided it’s the best hike in the Catskills. This hike has a lot of elevation gain.
X-Ray: Indian Head
Scenic views are fantastic but I love knowing what I’m looking at — it makes the whole view better.