Though not too far away from the mighty skyscrapers of Manhattan, New York’s pristine Catskills seem like another world entirely. The Catskills, with rolling Appalachian peaks, colorful forests, and outdoor attractions, are a natural refuge from the stresses and toils of the big city. With cozy mountain villages and small towns, the Catskills protect an entirely different side of New York State compared to New York City. With such premium outdoor real estate, Catskill Park and its surrounding parklands have plenty of amazing trails to explore. As Catskill Park is between two and three hours, depending on traffic, from New York City, the Catskills offer a superb hiking escape within a day trip from America’s largest metropolis, often with plentiful views of Appalachia, the Hudson River Valley, and some of New York’s loveliest waterfalls.
Though the Catskills are mountainous, the best scenic trails in the region represent a helpful blend of long, challenging treks and shorter, more manageable hikes that are perfect for beginners and families. Given the nature of the Catskills, one would have to search long and hard to find a Catskills trail that could be considered “ugly.” Still, a few of the top Catskills hikes do stand out among both experienced and casual hikers for their prominent beauty, epic scenery, and excellent blend of challenges and conveniences. Drawing from user reviews posted on the popular hiking app AllTrails.com, these nine trails are, by general consensus, the best and prettiest in the Catskills region — and maybe New York State as a whole.
Kaaterskill Falls from Laurel House Road
The 260-foot centerpiece of the Kaaterskill Falls Trail is not only New York’s highest waterfall (higher even than Niagara Falls), but also one of America’s oldest tourist attractions. The 1.8-mile Kaaterskill Falls hike via Laurel House Road is a short, but unforgettable, showcase of the prominent cascade and its distinctive two-tier drop.
One AllTrails reviewer described the trail and its main cascade as This is the most beautiful falls we’ve seen, and we’ve seen many falls.” The trail also provides excellent views of the Kaaterskill Wild Forest of the larger Catskill Park.
Overlook Mountain Trail
True to its name, the Overlook Mountain Trail in Overlook Mountain Wild Forest boasts some of the best views in all of the Catskills. At nearly 5 miles long (much of it uphill), the Overlook Mountain Trail isn’t exactly easy, although for a mountain top hike, it could be much worse…