There’s nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of New York City and filling your lungs with a big breath of mountain air... Catskill Mountain air, to be exact. On an observation deck, you can view the falls from the top or hike down to the base. With beautiful foliage and wildflowers growing along the trail, the 4.3 miles will fly by as you make your way to the top of this loop, where yet another Catskill town Fire Tower will greet you at the top. Catskill Mountain Guide by Appalachian Mountain Club Books, Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons by Carol and David White, Views from on High: Fire Tower Trails in the Adirondacks and Catskills, AMC High Peaks Trail Guide Map Pack by Adirondack Mtn Club, Catskill Region Waterfall Guide by Black Dome Press, Good Fishing in the Catskills: A Complete Angler’s Guide (Third Edition), Hunter-West Kill Wilderness and Rusk Mountain Wild Forest, Trail Registers for Beginners – Anatomy and why to use them, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to the 10 Essentials. The Best Catskills Hiking Trails & Hikes This hand-curated selection of the most rewarding hikes you can do in the Catskill Park combines the best of the High Peaks, the best of the lower peaks, the best hiking trails, the best bushwhacks, and the best views. Difficult hike to summit of West Kill Mountain. Austin Donisan - via Wikimedia Commons. Best: Spring, Summer, Fall Winding through the Platte Clove region, also known as Devil’s Kitchen, is Plattekill Creek, the source of several popular Catskills waterfalls. New York's Catskills have long been an outdoor playground for families escaping from the city. 50 of the greatest hikes in the country, for all abilities and in all landscapes. This country looks and feel wild, and the views from its many lookouts easily rival those from the more-crowded high peaks. The five hikes selected by Kick take children to a trailside zoo, fire tower, cranberry bogs, lighthouse, and even a meteor crater. This year-round trail will take hikers up some 1,900 feet on a 6-mile out-and-back that ends with panoramic views of the range beyond. 1,586' vertical climb. Some of the most popular places to visit and hike at this time of year are Sunset Rock, Palenville Overlook, and North-South Lake. Bugs, cool plants, frogs, caves, water, and some views. "I suggest pairing viewing platform with going into North/South Lake Park where there is a lovely lake for boating, kayak, row boats, canoes, or swimming in a roped off area or just sitting under a tree and relaxing." With this exploration, they will learn how to hike and have fun. This up-to-date list of the best Catskills cafes and restaurants will help make your next pre- or post-hike chow extra-awesome Best Catskills Eats I love Phoenicia Diner on Rte 28 for a glorious post-hike chow. The steep elevation changes in the eastern Devil's Path means we'll see a diverse range of foliage through different ecosystems along the trail. Bring water shoes if you care for a dip in the water after working up a light sweat. It includes the perfect family-friendly guide to hikes, as well as beaches, farms, and horseback riding in the Catskills! It’s an easy 2.6 hike mostly along a path of trodden land (due to popularity), rocks and stones. You can hike from Mine Kill State Park (read about the hike) to the falls or take a drive over to the park after, and go for a swim in the pool, picnic, or play a round of disc golf! - Use the links below to get the full reports for the Adirondacks and Catskills. This can be a great place for a first overnight camping experience. Hessian Lake and Fort Montgomery, Fort Montgomery. A popular trail near Beacon and a bit lengthy, Breakneck Ridge is one of the more strenuous hikes in the Catskill region. West Kill Mountain - 6.40 mile trip - 4.50 hours. Unlike anything you’ll find on a map, it’s one of the most breathtaking kid-friendly hikes in the Hudson Valley. More than 50 outdoor adventures for Northeast families and visitorsMore than 14,000 copies of the previous edition soldEach hike is completely updatedIncludes 12 new hikesFamilies can escape the city for a day, breathe in fresh air, and hike some of the most splendid scenery and trails around. Catskill Scenic Trail. These hikes are grouped in order of difficulty, beginning with the most accessible for any age. That’s your goal with your young family members. The hike was easy – only .2 miles and the ascent was 80 feet making this one of our Top Picks of Easy Hikes in the Catskill Mountains! An amazing view as if one has climbed to a high summit! A list of the top 5 Catskills Hikes For Kids. 195 photos You can camp in the lean-to or in your tent at the designated area behind it. This 25-mile plus hike climbs six significant peaks in the northern Catskills, accumulating about 18,000 feet of elevation gain and loss in steep, rocky terrain. A popular 5.9-mile hike, this is an easy walk through the woods and among the trees (but be on alert for timber rattlesnakes!) Best Hikes with Children in the Catskills and Hudson River Valley includes games that will keep the kids engaged and enjoying the trails. The 11 Most Beautiful State Parks in New York, The 10 Best Hikes in New York's Catskills, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Cruise your way through the county on winding roads and through wildflower meadows on your way to historical landmarks. The Catskills are full of endless beauty, and the best way to experience them is to hit the trails. Guidebook author Joan Burton writes about hiking with her grandkids. You can usually find her on a yoga mat, at the wine store, or off on a new adventure. America’s Best Day Hikes is a beautifully illustrated, best-of compendium featuring the most memorable one- day hikes in every region of the United States.. Northern Catskills (Greene County) From mountain biking, to hiking, to paddling, Greene County is an outdoor recreation hub. Great for a day escape to the Catskills. The Indian Head Mountain Loop in Greene County is a 5.9-mile hiking trail recommended for experienced hikers in boots (so leave your sneakers at home for this one). See the Places to Go pages in Region 3 and Region 4 for more information on DEC managed recreation lands in the Catskills and surrounding areas. Two of them could make nice winter snowshoe trips. Roscoe Beer Company. Eastern Devils Path: Twin, Sugarloaf, and Indian Head. However, once they get too big to be toted around in this way you'll have to rely heavily on #2, choosing the right hike. The Top 12 Places to Go Hiking in Georgia, The 10 Most Charming Towns in New York's Catskills, 20 Scenic Mountain Hikes in the United States, One Week in New York State: The Ultimate Itinerary. Fun. Best: Spring, Summer, Fall, Trailhead for Pratt Rock, Prattsville, Green County, Camping Diamond Notch Falls Dibbles Quarry Elm Ridge Lean-to Lean-to Lean-tos Mine Kill Falls Mine Kill State Park Pratt Rock Waterfalls. Best Short Family Hikes RamsHorn Livingston Sanctuary - 3 miles of trails through the Hudson's largest tidal swamp Mountain Top Arboretum - 4 trail networks through meadows, forests, and glens While boardwalks have been installed in particularly wet areas of the trail, this can be a muddy hike in spring or following heavy rain. Poet's Ledge 6.14 miles round trip - 4.5 hours round trip. Hurl down single track, summit one of the Catskills 35ers, and paddle on the shimmering lakes. Hikers can also fish for trout if desired, but many choose to relax on the rocks and enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring the waterfalls. Small children don’t care about peak bagging. Read more here. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies, 5 family and kid friendly hikes in the Catskills, 10 Small Changes That Will Have A Huge Impact On Your Sleep in the Woods, 5 Winter Hiking Tips for Your First Time Out &…, At about 1-mile level walk from the trailhead (see videos), Diamond Notch Trailhead, Spruceton RD, Green County, Hunter – West Kill Wilderness Recreation Map, hike from Mine Kill State Park (read about the hike), Trailhead, State Route 30, Schoharie County, checking the forecast during your planning. Mount Tremper. Here are the area's best hikes. Check the DEC website for specifics on hunting dates. Prepare for your fall vacation by exploring the best hikes in the Catskills. Here's a guidebook that shows you hikes that the whole family can do. Fawns Leap Difficulty: Moderate (steep) 0.25 miles roundtrip 24 foot plunge drop waterfall Popular swimming hole Likely to be crowded They’re into simple fun. However, the more they walk the more they will explore. There are two ingredients to a pleasant family trek: 1. timing 2. choosing the right hike. Rushmore”. Tip: Bring stuff in the car to entertain younger hikers as some of these trailheads are a bit remote AND have a post-hike tradition, ours is ice cream. Balsam Mountain Loop Trail. All outdoor activities are carried out at your own risk. Hessian Lake and Fort Montgomery, Fort Montgomery. Just a word of caution, the area around the falls can be very slippery and in winter the creek ices over but you can fall through. Riggsville – This is one of the best bang for your buck waterfalls in the Catskills; it’s not totally overrun like Kaaterskill, it’s a quick 3.5 mile out and back hike, and you can take a quick dip in the falls without risking your life. Best: Spring, Summer, Fall that will lead you to a small peak and the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower, offering views of the surrounding Catskill Mountains. It has been called the "Best Bakery in the Catskills." Our guide is Peter Kick, author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, now available in an expanded second edition. Carry them when you must. If you access the hike from street level—which involves finding parking along the winding Route 23—your end destination is a beautiful 231-foot waterfall. Explore New Hampshire in the winter on these 5 great hikes! "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" is a practical "day trip" guide to varied and scenic terrains that range from Westchester County to Albany, showcasing sixty of the most scenic and spectacular of these trails which suited for anything from short family nature walks to day-long hikes with magnificent views. Kaaterskill Falls. What makes a hike great for young families? Best: Spring, Summer, Fall, Roaring Kill Trailhead, Green County NY (Google Maps), Indian Head Wilderness Recreation Map (DEC). 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