wooden boardwalk in spring forest

Hodge Pond 3: The Nazgûl Loop

A route that combines so many strange and disparate elements, it’s unforgettably weird!

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Brook with chasm-like walls

Secret Hike: Waterfall Superhighway

A stunning Catskills “canyon” dotted with multiple gorgeous waterfalls.

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scenic view mountain summits

Van Wyck to Table & Peekamoose (updated)

Two plane wrecks. Two bear holes. Two talus fields. One incredible view.

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Pitch pines

Secret Hike: Gunks in the Cats

A true bushwhack to a surprisingly Gunks-like patch in the heart of The Catskills.

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reservoir view through opening in trees

Secrets of Samuels Point

A short but challenging bushwhack to the strange and beautiful summit of Samuels Point.

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Herd path

Should We Stop Bushwhacking the Catskills?

I asked, “How can hikers best use the mountains right now, in terms of bushwhacking? Should we cool it for a while?”

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hiker in summer forest

Mombaccus & Ashokan High Point

This steep, difficult double-peak hike is so rewarding on so many levels.

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two hikers in silhouette in a rock chasm

North Dome, Mount Sherrill & Hagadone Hollow

The bushwhack over North Dome and Mount Sherrill is never easy. I found a way to make it even more difficult.

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rock ledge on Table Mountain

Table, Peekamoose, Lone & Rocky

The easiest and most beautiful route to Lone and Rocky — but this is still one of the hardest hikes in The Catskills

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Subaru Forester parked in turnaround

Richmond Mountain & Richtmyer Peak

Just parking for Richmond Mountain is 4WD dirt road dogfight.

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orange canister affixed to tree trunk

Fir & Big Indian

This long hike mixes beautiful Catskills trails and fun water crossings with a long bushwhack section over two substantial mountain peaks.

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scenic view snow

Mill Brook Ridge via Kelly Hollow

This is the shortest route to Mill Brook Ridge’s summit over public land. It includes a full loop of Kelly Hollow, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Catskills. A short-but-steep bushwhack connects the two locations.

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orange canister on tree trunk

Rocky and Lone via Fisherman’s Path

Due to the remoteness of its two mountains, the ruggedness of the terrain, and the skin-shredding forest, this is widely regarded as the toughest hike in the Catskills.

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scenic catskills view

Giant Ledge & Panther

This classic route to Giant Ledge is a short moderate hike with a huge pay-off: a series of ledge views which are spectacular in all seasons. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Catskills.

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close-up of eastern Ashokan

Bushwhack Ticetonyk from Peck Road

A short, steep bushwhack through old farmland dotted with stone fences, to excellent views of the Ashokan, Eastern Devil’s Path, Giant Ledge & Panther.

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rock outcop

Thru-Hike Doubletop, Graham & Balsam Lake

This hike really has it all: stream crossings, herd paths, bear prints, a canister, a memorably steep descent, a true bushwhack, a rugged ascent, an ice grotto, some old ruins and, to top it all off, a fire tower with amazing sunset views.

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