Hiking Ulster County

There is something for every hiker, whether you are simply looking for a relaxing stroll that allows you to unwind and reconnect with nature, or seeking a challenging climb rewarded with a stunning view from a mountain top pinnacle.

Things To Know Before You Hit The Trail

It is important that everyone in your party dress for the elements. Remember that the temperature in wooded areas and near water can be several degrees cooler than the temperature in the city. If you are planning on a mountain climb, you should dress in removable layers to accommodate the temperature changes that occur as you hike through various elevations. All hikers will need to have the proper footwear to match the hiking activity you have chosen. All footwear should have enough support and traction to provide secure footing when traversing loose dirt and gravel, slippery rock faces, and steep, uneven terrain.

Finally, don’t forget to pack an ample supply of fresh, clean water and nutritious snacks to keep everyone on your hike well fed and hydrated.

Once you have all of your supplies ready, just pick your hiking trail from the list below, grab a map and a compass, and head out to enjoy your day on the trails!

Our Favorite Ulster County Hiking Trails

Phoenicia East Branch Trail

Length: 9.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Guided Tours: No

The Phoenicia East Branch Trail, also known as the Woodland Valley-Denning Trail, takes hikers on a moderate 2,300 foot ascent along an old carriage road that runs from the Woodland Valley Campground to the Slide Mountain Denning Road parking area. This historic carriage road once served as the only thoroughfare from Phoenicia to Claryville in the days of the horse and buggy.

Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower

Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Guided Tours: Yes (fire tower only)

Built in 1919, the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower stands at 47 feet tall, and is one of six fire towers located within the Catskill Mountain Range. Hikers will walk 3 mile along a trail which climbs from the Mill Brook Road parking area to the 3,723 foot summit where the Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower offers visitors 360-degree views of the surrounding Catskill Mountains. While the hiking trail is open for self-guided hikes year round, the fire tower itself is closed to visitors when not staffed. Tours of the tower itself are provided by volunteer staff on weekends and holidays, June through Columbus Day.

Vernooy Kill Falls

Length: 3.6 miles round trip (approximately 3 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

The Vernooy Kill Falls trail takes hikers on a gentle ascent up Cherrytown Mountain to a picture-worthy set of waterfalls located near a historic mill site. Hikers can access Vernooy Kill Falls trail from the trailhead parking area located off County Route 3 at Upper Cherrytown Road north of Kerhonkson, New York.

Ashokan Reservoir

Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

Located at Route 28 and Winchell’s Corners in Shokan, New York, The Ashokan Reservoir features more than 2 miles of paved hiking paths winding around the Ashokan Reservoir. This easy hiking trail is dotted with informational kiosks inviting visitors to learn more about the nation’s largest water supply, as well as local history of the region. Keep an eye out for Bald Eagles, as you enjoy the breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains.

Terrace Mountain Trail

Length: 0.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

The Terrace Mountain Trail is one of the easiest trails in the Slide Mountain network of trails. This 0.9 mile trail offers hikers a gentle descent through rocky outcroppings and low Blueberry Bushes as they travel from the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail/Burroughs Range Trail to the Terrace Mountain Lean-To.

Five Lock Walk

Length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Guided Tours: No

Built in 1850, the 5 High Falls Locks were originally used as a tow path for the workers and mules who manually guided the ships through the D & H Canal. Today, visitors can step back in history as they traverse the same rocky paths along the historic canal.

The Five Lock Walk can be accessed during daylight hours from the trailhead area adjacent to the D & H Canal House located off Route 213 in High Falls, New York.

Lippman Park Loop

Length: 9.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Guided Tours: No

With over 9 miles of hiking trails covering various terrains from gentle hard-packed sloping trails to rock walls, skinnies, bridges, gaps, and other obstacles, the Lippman Park Loop offers something for every type of hiker, Located near Wawarsing, New York, the Lippman Park Loop features a series of well-marked, interconnected hiking trails winding through forested lakeside terrain.

Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail

Length: 9.75 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Guided Tours: No

The Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Trail, also known as the Burroughs Range Trail, takes hikers through a challenging 3,620 foot ascent up Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide Mountains. The hike is intended for experienced hikers as visitors must use both their hands and feet in order to traverse several rock ledges as they climb to the various summits. This challenging Slide Mountain trail rewards hikers with stunning panoramic views at several points along the trail’s highest elevations.

Overlook Mountain Fire Tower

Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Guided Tours: Yes (fire tower only)

Built in 1950, the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower is the newest of the Catskills Mountain fire towers. The 60-foot tower provides visitors with panoramic views of the Hudson Valley, the Ashokan Reservoir, and the Overlook Hotel ruins from the tower’s observation deck. Hikers can access the self-guided hiking trail to the 3,140 foot summit year round from the trailhead parking area located on Meads Mountain Road in the Town of Woodstock, New York. The observation deck of the fire tower is accessible to visitors when staffed by volunteer tour guides on weekends and holidays, June through Columbus Day.

River-To-Ridge Trails

Length: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

Created through a partnership between the Open Spaces institute and the Mohonk Preserve, the River-To-Ridge trails offer hikers 6 miles of well-maintained pathways connecting the Village of New Paltz to the hiking trails of the Mohonk Preserve, and the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Visitors to the Rivers-To-Ridge Trails can relax and enjoy a leisurely stroll through rolling farmlands and various wetland and wildlife preserve areas. Hikers can access the Rivers-To-Ridge Trails from the trailhead parking area located at Route 299 and Springtown Road in New Paltz, New York.

Mount Pleasant – Romer Mountain Trail

Length: 9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

Part of the Slide Mountain network of hiking trails, the Mount Pleasant – Romer Mountain Trail takes hikers along the uppermost ridges of Cross Mountain Hollow, and over the top of Cross Mountain. The trail features a series of elevation changes as it crosses just below the summit of Mount Pleasant before climbing to the summit of Romer Mountain, and finally descending down to Lane Street located just outside the village of Phoenicia, New York.

Alder Lake Loop Trail

Length: 1.6 miles round trip (approximately 1.5 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: No

Located in Hardenburgh, New York, the Alder Lake Loop Trail circles around Alder Lake, taking hikers on an easy stroll over gently sloping paths. This easy hiking trail offers plenty of chances for hikers to catch glimpses of many types of wildlife, including Eagles, Osprey, Red-Winged Blackbirds and more.

Curtis-Ormsbee Trail

Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Guided Tours: No

The Curtis-Ormsbee Trail is frequently referred to as the Slide Mountain scenic-route. This 1.6-mile trail takes hikers on a terraced style ridge hike with a moderate 900 foot elevation climb through stunted northern hardwood forest. The trail features three panoramic viewpoints to the south and west of the trail.

Mount Tremper Fire Tower

Length: 6.1 miles round trip (approximately 4 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Guided Tours: Yes (fire tower only)

Originally constructed in 1917, the 47 foot Tremper Mountain Fire Tower offers visitors a panoramic view of the Burroughs Range, Stony Clove, and the Devil’s Path Range. Hikers can access the 2,740 foot summit via a 6 mile round trip moderately difficult hike along the Phoenicia Trail from the trailhead parking lot off Ulster County Route 40. The hiking trail and stairs are accessible for self-guide hikes year round. The tower observation deck is accessible to visitors only when staffed by volunteer tour guides on weekends and holidays, Memorial Day through Columbus day.

Giant Ledge-Panther Mountain-Fox Hollow Trail

Length: 7.45 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Guided Tours: No

The Giant Ledge – Panther Mountain – Fox Hollow Trail is one of the more challenging trails in the Slide Mountain trail network. The challenging trail takes hikers on a terraced 2,620 foot ascent through mixed hardwood and Balsam Fir forests. This challenging trail rewards hikers with breathtaking views of Devil’s Path to the north, and Woodland Valley to the east.

Hikers traveling to the Slide Mountain Wilderness Park from the north can access the trail from the Fox Hollow parking area, while travelers entering the park from the south can access the trail from the Oliverea Road North parking area.

Barry Knight Interpretive Walks

Length: Short 5 minute hike to observation tower
Difficulty: Easy
Guided Tours: Yes (by appointment only)

Located in West Hurley, New York, Barry Knight Interpretive Walks are available daily, by appointment only. Visitors will enjoy an easy 5 minute hike from the parking area to the observation tower where they can enjoy stunning views of the Catskill Mountains, the Ashokan Reservoir, the Mohonk Mountain House, and more.

There you have it! You should have all of the information you need to get out there and start exploring the hiker’s paradise that is Ulster County, New York. We will see you on the trails!

Peekamoose-Table Mountain Trail

Length: 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Guided Tours: No

This challenging trail is one of the less-traveled hiking trails in the Slide Mountain network of trails. Hikers love the feeling of remoteness found along this forested trail as it ascends 2,820 feet through the historic stone walls and Red Pine Plantation trees that lined the former pioneer pasture lands, before eventually giving way to old growth interior forest.