Hiking in the Catskills

Adventure in The Catskills: Hiking in History's Footsteps

In the Great Northern Catskills of New York, discover the enchanting landscape, best viewed along wooded paths, bubbling streams and cascading waterfalls. Greene County offers a "big mountain" experience, year-round adventure and delight. Home to the highest Catskill Mountain peaks, the region offers an array of hiking trails to choose from.

Find the "cloves" where legendary Rip Van Winkle succumbed to the magic of Henry Hudson's drink, and where painters and poets paused to capture the region's stunning natural beauty.

Travel along the 21-mile Catskill Escarpment, rising from the Hudson River Valley, to see the Great Northern Catskills' breathtaking ridge of high peaks and towering summits. The Escarpment is part of the Long Path, a hiking trail winding for 347.4 miles from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey to Altamont, New York. Travel along the Path and experience the rich diversity of New York, including nine of the highest peaks found in the Catskill Park.

Along the Escarpment, find Kaaterskill Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in New York State. Admired for generations, and one of the best Catskills outdoor activities, the falls have captivated and inspired some of the Hudson River Art School's most famous works of art.

From valley paths winding through towns and villages, to the majestic, as-far-as-the-eye-can-see Five-State Lookout - discover a region rich in history and natural beauty.

Climb to the top of Hunter Mountain and discover several Greene County wonders. The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower was the first of 23 fire lookout towers built in the Catskills, and it is one of five that is still standing. From the summit of Hunter Mountain, discover panoramic views of the Catskill peaks and the Hudson Valley. On a clear day – hikers can see as far Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. Visitors to Hunter Mountain's summit may also stumble upon the larger-than-life carving of literary legend Rip Van Winkle. Recently completed, this stone carving is a masterpiece - the work of sculptor Kevin Vanhentenryck and David Slutzky.

Hike to the summit of Newman's Ledge, once home to one of the 19th century's premier resorts – the Catskill Mountain House. From this lofty height, peer across the lush Hudson River Valley. Go camping in the Catskills and take the short trek to the "Mount Rushmore of the East" - Pratt's Rock. This Prattsville monument chronicles the life of Zadock Pratt – a 19th century leather tanning tycoon who commissioned the carvings to immortalize his life and contributions to the region.

Greene County offers the pastoral beauty of the Hudson River Valley and the region's wild boreal forests. Discover the Great Northern Catskill's timeless charm - Awaken to Adventure.