Sunset
Planning Your Sunset Hike
Sunset hikes are so rewarding but they do require additional planning and gear. After a long day, you’ll be hiking down in the dark.
At the very least, you‘ll need a headlamp — with extra batteries, just in case. Your phone’s tiny light definitely will not cut it. And a handheld flashlight is a terrible idea because you’ll want both hands free at all times. Get a headlamp.
Make sure to leave your hike plan and emergency numbers with somebody reliable.
You can read more planning and prep tips in my How to Shoot Sunrises post.
Kaaterskill Falls via Kaaterskill Rail Trail – Upper Route
This is a short, super-easy hike to one of the most popular Catskills destinations. It includes views not seen by those who park closer to the falls, and is the perfect trail in winter for some easy snow-shoeing or cross country skiing.
Huckleberry Point Trail
Huckleberry Point is one of the most beloved Catskills destinations. For a mountain hike, this hiking trail is short and relatively easy. With very little effort, in 75 minutes or so, you’ll get out to one of the most dramatic vistas in these hills. This is an extremely popular and memorable hike.
Ashokan High Point Trail (with Plane Wreck)
This wonderful loop hike has an easy start with almost three miles of beautiful riparian trail. Then a steep climb leads to the summit where there’s a great view of Mohonk and the Shawangunk Ridge. The hike down Ashokan High Point’s west side is notable for its beautiful meadows and views, a plane wreck, as well as a handful of steep trail pitches.
Bushwhack from Ashokan High Point to Little Ashokan
The bushwhack to Little Ashokan is one of the steeper and sketchier routes I’ve hiked in the Catskills: craggy ledges, loose dirt and rocks, lots of blowdown. But the summit is magical, and the view it affords it is startlingly beautiful.
40+ Tips to Capture the Perfect Sunrise or Sunset Photo
Dawn and dusk: there’s no better time of day to shoot landscapes than when the sun is low on the horizon. Here’s everything you need to know to plan, prepare, and pull off the perfect sunrise photo shoot.
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.
Hike Halcott
I didn’t think too much of Halcott when I did it last spring, but this hike changed my mind. There’s a lot to see: the woods are spectacular, the ravines are beautiful and, at sunset, the summit is a Catskill photographer’s dream.
Indian Head Hiking Trail (Best Route)
Fantastic terrain, epic views, a beloved cliff ascent, a long boreal summit, a steep and rugged descent, and an easy walk out through beautiful woods — this is my absolute favorite single-mountain hike in the Catskills.
Hike Plateau from Mink Hollow
The parking area at the north end of the Mink Hollow trail is marked on the NYNJTC maps in gray, which signifies “roadside parking”. In fact, it’s a dead end/cul-de-sac that look like it functions as a snow plow turnaround. There’s ample space for cars but be thoughtful about your parking during snow months.
Indian Head & Twin (Sunset Hike)
This is my favorite hike in the Catskills. It has everything the Catskills can give you: classic Catskills forests, rugged terrain, excellent scrambles, and jaw-dropping scenic views.
