A vacation to the Catskill Mountains would be one of those trips that stays with you for a lifetime. It’ll become your new favorite outdoor getaway and when you leave you’ll be struck with a sudden impulse to turn right back around and spend a few more days there. The continuous green and blue mountains, gorgeous forests full of nature and beauty, and the peaceful rivers provide a wonderland for any and all who are looking to experience the ultimate relaxing getaway.
There are many nature trails to hike and enjoy in the Catskills and it’s important to reconnect with nature when you’re visiting this area. Mother you’re just visiting for the day or for a week the Catskill Mountains offers amazing waterfalls, great fishing spots, and some of the best ski slopes the United States has to offer. They are also known for their beer breweries and craft beers as well as their wineries and farm to table restaurants.
Listed below are some of the top hiking trails to check out on your visit to the Catskill Mountains:
Mount Tremper: This is a trail that is available year-round and it will take you up nearly 2000 feet over the course of 6 miles. At the end you’ll be rewarded with the best panoramic views of the Catskill Mountain range and the perfect place to lay down a picnic. One thing to keep in mind for this trail is that it is a popular spot for rattlesnakes, so you may want to prepare for that and pack a first aid kit.
Graham Mountain: This mountain is among the top 10 highest peaks you’ll find in the Catskill Mountains. This involves 8 miles of hiking if you plan on doing the entire track and it will also take you through the forest up to an old relay station that was built for Instructional Television all the way back in the 1960s. It goes up over 3500 feet and is therefore included in the Catskill Mountain 3500 Club. Some parts of this mountain are considered private property, so make sure that you contact the proper people to gain the permission to embark on this trek before heading out.
Becker Hollow and Hunter Fire Tower: If you’re looking for a little bit more of a challenge this is a great option. It’ll take about 6 miles round-trip and bring you up over 2000 feet, but it’ll provide you with views of the valleys and mountains surrounding you once you’ve reached the top. There are many areas to camp in the Catskills and this area offers a plethora of them should you want to camp out. Plus there are still many hotels to rent should you decide you want to stay a night or two while you’re up there.
Overlook Mountain: This’ll be about 5 miles round-trip and will provide you with 360° views of the various valleys once at the top. It’s over 3000 feet to the top and what have you passing through some of the forests on your way. At the end you’ll be able to find a historic cabin and fire tower with plaques to read regarding her history. This trail was once identified as being a home to many great spirits according to the local Native Americans.
Kaaterskill Falls: This is one of the attractions that people specifically visit Catskill mountains for. It’s absolutely something we would add to the list of must do things in the Catskills. It’s actually one of the United States oldest tourist attractions there is a hiking trail, about 1 ½ miles, but you must climb to get to the falls, but the track is worth it because at the end you’ll see the tallest two-tier waterfall located in New York state. Be forewarned you will have to climb over 600 steps to get to the point where you can see the falls, and sometimes especially when it’s cold and snowy, the steps are extremely slippery. Make sure you wear sturdy nonslip shoes for this journey.
Vroman’s Nose: This is the perfect trail for beginners as it is only a little over 1 ½ miles long. There is a gradual up rise and it allows for amazing views of Schoharie Valley once you’ve reached the top. Some of the boulders you’ll encounter on the way have been around before the Revolutionary War. It was named in the early 18th century due to its nose like appearance.
Balsam Lake Fire Tower: If, when reading about Hunter Mountain Fire Tower, you were a little bit overwhelmed, maybe this would be a better option for you. Balsam Lake Fire Tower is only around 6 miles start to finish, but it only goes up just over a thousand feet. That’s about half as high as Hunter Mountain. The views are also still spectacular from this elevation, too.
North Point: This trail is only about 3 ½ miles from start to finish, but it does have some steep parts and rough areas, however it offers an overall tame experience. Also, if you decide to visit during the summertime, there’s plenty of shade along this path. From the top you’ll be able to see North-South Lake and great views of the Hudson Valley. Once you’ve reached the top you’ll have to options, either go back the way from which you came or you can continue on and take on the North Mountain trail.
In this area of New York you will not run out of beautiful hiking trails, gorgeous swimming holes, and spectacular forests to meander through during your trip. If you’re really looking for a chance to reconnect with nature and forget about the hectic day-to-day life that is adulthood, this really is the destination for you. You will want to plan appropriately for your vacation, so you’ll want to check the weather and also put together a list of the various sites and attractions that you do want to check out while you’re in the area. The Catskill Mountains are full of lots of outdoor activities, however there also well-known for their various antique shops, restaurants and breweries. You also want to take into consideration your travel party, if it’s all adults or if there are children, you’ll have plenty of options to decide what will be the best things to do while you’re there.