With 700,000+ acres of preserved land and 400+ miles of the best trails in the northeast, the Catskills wilderness is a hiker’s nirvana. You can hike the Catskills for years and still only scratch the surface.
The Catskills are a hiker’s paradise in perpetuity. Boasting stunning landscapes, rugged mountains, majestic waterfalls, and primal forests, all state land within the blue line that delineates the Catskills Park is protected in New York State’s constitution as “forever wild as forest lands”—meaning it can never be sold off or developed.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the Catskills have multiple trails for you. This list of the best hiking trails in the Catskills provide options for all skill levels, from easy and amazing family-friendly walks to some of the toughest mountain hikes in America.
The Most Popular Hikes in the Catskills
No list of Catskills hikes could leave out the following popular hikes—they’re popular for a reason!
Overlook Mountain Hotel Ruins, Fire Tower, and Ledge
Trailhead Location: Overlook Mountain Trailhead, Woodstock
Hike Length: 4.5 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 1,300 feet
Time: 2-3 hours
Intensity: Moderate
Overlook is one of the top destinations in the Catskills. This short hike has so much going for it: the trail is easy to follow, it’s non-technical, and the payoff is exceptional. Walk through the eerie ruins of the Overlook Hotel, climb a fire tower with one of the best views in the Catskills, and, before you descend, relax on an epic ledge high above the Hudson Valley floor.
Giant Ledge
Trailhead Location: Giant Ledge Trailhead, Phoenicia
Hike Length: 4.25 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 1,000 feet
Time: 2-3 hours
Intensity: Challenging
Another classic Catskills hike is the short, steep, rocky climb to Giant Ledge. The ledge itself is enormous and offers multiple spectacular viewpoints along its length (so don’t stop at the first view). Above the ledge, on the opposite side of the trail, are a series of superb campsites. On your way up, you’ll also pass through a boulder field dominated by one of the Catskills’s most enormous Ents. I brought my teen to Giant Ledge and she said, “Wow…” There is no higher compliment.
Kaaterskill Falls
Trailhead Location: Laurel House Road, Palenville
Hike Length: 1.6 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 400 feet
Time: 60-90 minutes
Intensity: Moderate
Park at the large lot at the end of Laurel House Road and walk directly into the woods, following the trail down to the amazing viewing platform. This is the safest way to view what is perhaps the most beautiful and deadliest location in the Catskills; many people have died here, even in recent years. The two-tiered falls has been famous for almost 200 years, and you’ll see why. The view is even more stunning in winter, when the falls are frozen and bedecked with 60-foot icicles—but please wear microspikes any time there’s ice on the ground, even if you’re just visiting the platform. The hike down to the base of the falls is absolutely worth the effort.
Inspiration Point
Trailhead Location: Scutt Road, Palenville
Hike Length: 5-mile loop
Total Ascent: 800 feet
Time: 3-4 hours
Intensity: Moderate
Very close to Kaaterskill Falls, the aptly-named Inspiration Point is one of the most spectacular scenic locations in the Catskills. The trail from Scutt Road winds down through classic Catskills forest terrain, heading through the junction to Kaaterskill Falls and the Layman’s Monument before passing a number of stunning lookouts perched high above the incredibly steep Kaaterskill Clove. Ruins of the old Kaaterskill Hotel are close by.
The Devil’s Path
Trailhead Location: Prediger Road Trailhead, Elka Park
Hike Length: 22 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 9,000 feet
Time: 1-2 days if tackled at once
Intensity: Challenging
The Devil’s Path is the one of the most challenging and iconic hikes in the Catskills. This 22-mile trail runs east to west through the heart of the Catskill Mountains, routing hikers over six of the highest peaks in the region: Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, Hunter, and West Kill. The trail is notorious for its rugged terrain, gnarly rock scrambles, and steep ascents and descents. Completing it in one or two days is a true test of endurance and skill. Most hikers complete it by tackling one or two summits at a time. It’s not for the faint of heart. Hiking the Devil’s Path requires proper planning, preparation, and experience, but this trail is a must-do for any experienced hiker seeking a bona fide wilderness adventure.
The Hidden Catskills Gems
These lesser-known Catskills hiking trails are perfect for hikers seeking a quieter, more secluded hike.
Acra Point & Batavia Kill Loop with Burnt Knob Lookout
Trailhead Location: Big Hollow Road Trailhead, Maplecrest
Hike Length: 6-mile loop
Total Ascent: 1,200 feet
Time: 4-5 hours
Intensity: Moderate
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Catskills, a charming loop that follows Batavia Kill for the first mile, winds uphill over Acra Point with its wonderful view of the Blackhead Range, and then branches out briefly to an even more spectacular view below the summit of Burnt Knob. The descent through terrain marked by beautiful streams and hemlock stands is an intensely sweet finish.
Red Hill Fire Tower from Denning
Trailhead Location: Red Hill Trailhead, Denning
Hike Length: 4 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 1,160 feet
Time: 2-3 hours
Intensity: Moderate
With its varied mix of forests and rock channels, this relatively new trail is so entertaining to hike. Visit the mountain spring on the way up, and climb the fire tower to see the rural landscape below and Catskills summits in every direction. This is easily one of the sweetest hikes in the Catskills.
Plateau Mountain via Daley Ridge
Trailhead Location: Notch Inn Road, Lanesville
Hike Length: 9 miles out-and-back
Total Ascent: 2,300 feet
Time: 6-7 hours
Intensity: Challenging
Another relatively new addition to the Catskills, this hiking trail winds up and over one of the loveliest forested ridges in the entire Park. It includes one of the finest scenic lookouts in the Catskills, one that is not known to many hikers. If that’s not enough payoff, there’s also the long ridge of Plateau itself, and another fantastic lookout just below the far side of the summit.
Mountain Hiking Safety
The Catskills help define the Hudson Valley, so they’re right on our back door and seem familiar and safe. But they are also a real wilderness that needs to be respected. Before any hike—even the exceptionally short hike to Kaaterskill Falls—make sure you pack The Ten Essentials, with special attention in icy conditions paid to traction aids like mountain-appropriate microspikes. Pack microspikes on every hike into May. Finally, always make sure you let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. By taking these precautions, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the best hikes in the Catskills safely and with confidence.
Sean O’Dwyer hikes and photographs the Hudson Valley every week. He also produces mountain-hiking.com, a hyper-detailed trail guide resource for Hudson Valley hikers.
