Please explore our "Hike the Catskills - Guide to hiking in the Catskill Mountains". You will also find great recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and different stores and galleries to shop at while you visit the Catskills.
The Catskills boast over 50 mountain peaks that are over 3400 feet. The highest being Slide Mountain at 4180 ft. The highest peaks, mountains over 3500 feet, are called the Catskill High Peaks. Once you climb all the mountains over 3500 ft, you gain entry into the 3500 club. The peaks in the in the Catskills are dominated by Spruce-Fur Forests. The Summits are dominated by Balsam fur and the middle and lower mountains are dominated by Beech, yellow birch and sugar maples. The hardwood trees give the Catskill Mountains a wonderfull color during late autumn.
Hiking in the Catskills
Hiking in Windham, NY - Windham boasts some of the best hiking in the Catskills, plus this town caters very well to hikers from the NYC area. There is a shuttle bus that is run by the Catskill Lodge from the City with groups of eight or more, and they transport their guests to the best areas to hike. Look at their website for hiking packages. While in Windham you really need to go to the wonderful stores on Main Street and try out the local winery. There is plenty of fun things to do for the entire family at this great vacation resort town and the quality of their lodging, restaurants and shops is by far the best in the Catskill Mountains!!
Hiking in Hunter, NY - Hunter also provides great places to go horseback riding and North/South Lake. The hiking Hunter consists of North/South Lake, Kaaterskill Falls and Hunter Mountain. There are also some great places to stay in Hunter and Tannersville is a really cool little painted town with some nice shops. After a long hike, it is nice to stop and eat lunch in Tannersville.
Hiking in Stamford, NY - Stamford, the Queen of the Catskills is another great place to visit. Some of the best pizza I have ever had is made in Stamford NY at Mama Maria's and at Vasta's. It is worth the trip just for the pizza!!