The Catskill Mountains, located north of New York City, between Ulster and Albany counties, are home to more than 30 peaks above 3,500 feet. Hiking trails in the Catskill Mountains criss-cross throughout the park's 286,000 acres. Hiking trails are grouped by region including northern, southern and western Catskill hikes. Memorable sights abound in the Catskills, including wildlife and lush forests filled with hemlock, spruce, fir and birch trees.
Northern Catskill Park
Easy hiking trails in the northern Catskill region like Catskill Mountain House Site and Artists Rock offer classic scenic views of Catskill Park and the Hudson Valley. Nearby North-South Lake Campground has parking areas that turn this short hike into a beautiful vista you will marvel at. Moderate hiking trails in the Catskill Mountains northern region include the 2.5 mile (one-way) Huckleberry Point, which is a nice steady ascent from Platte Cove to the lower reaches of Kaaterskill High Peak where you end up with views of the Hudson Valley, Platte Cove and Indian Head. For hikers interested in challenging hikes, northern Catskill provides Blackhead Range, complete with hikes to three high peaks of 3,900 feet or more.
Southern Catskill Park
Difficult hiking trails in the Catskill Mountains southern region take you from where Denning Road ends, 3.9 miles one way to Table Mountain's summit of 1,700 feet. If the challenge of the first leg of this hike leaves you wanting more, continue an additional 0.85 miles to the summit of Peekamoose Mountain. An alternate route using Peekamoose Road (Ulster Co. Rte. 42) gives you an elevation gain of 2,640 feet to gaze at the summit of several of the Catskills' tallest peaks. Easy hikes like Red Hill Fire Tower's 1.35 mile ascent through forest and past an old ranger cabin, give the hiker 360-degree views of the mountains.
Western Catskill Park
Western Catskill Park offers several hikes that will leave you spellbound by natural beauty. Easy hiking trails like Alder Lake, a literal bowl in the Catskill Mountains, has a one-mile loop that goes around the lake and undoubtedly inspires artists during foliage season. For a moderate hike, check out Kelly Hollow's two trails; a two mile loop trail and a 3.8 mile loop that wind past vivid moss covered trees and lively cascades and streams.
Northeastern Catskill Region
Outside Catskill Park there are many hikes as challenging or easy but no less scenic or beautiful than any hikes within the Catskill Park. The Northeastern Catskill Region is home to Vroman's Nose, a moderate hike to a prominent bluff overlooking the Schoharie Creek Valley and some of New York's finest farmland. Easily found off NYS Rt. 30, near Middleburg, Vroman's is a vista lover's dream hike. If long, more challenging day hikes are more to your liking, The Long Path runs from Rt. 23 in Windham to Prattsville, New York covering 15 miles and eight mountains.
Northwestern Catskill Region
Outside Catskill Park for hiking trails in the Catskill Mountains you will find some spectacular hikes ranging from an easy hike at Emmons Pond Bog, a 1.4 mile long loop that circles the pond, to a moderate hike at Catskill Scenic Rail Trail. The Catskill Scenic Rail Trail surrounds hikers with rolling hills and delicate but beautiful flora. This gently-graded path serves both hikers and cyclists and stretches 20 miles from Bloomville to Grand Gorge. For a shorter jaunt through the hills try the 5.5-mile section running from Grand Gorge to Roxbury.
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