Park Overview:

Catskills -- Northeastern section is where the Devil’s Path south of Route 23A and the Escarpment Trail north of it, form long twin spines with numerous linking trails. This area also has some of the greatest concentration of highest peaks in the Catskills.  

Park Description:

Catskills -- Northeastern

The Catskills Escarpment - the so-called "Great Wall of Manitou," locaetd in the Catskills -- Northeastern section, is where the mountains suddenly rise up from the Hudson River valley - dominates this section of the Catskills.  The striking view of the Escarpment from across the river inspired many of the early Hudson River School artists.  For the hiker,  two areas of particular interest in the northeastern Catskills are the North/South Lake area and the Blackhead Range - both of which are linked by the Escarpment Trail.

Although more populous and with fewer remote areas than the southern Catskill, the northern Catskills have many rewarding climbs, including four trailless peaks over 3,500' and the Devil's Path that skirts 4,040-foot Hunter Mountain, second highest in the Catskills

Several of the Catskills' highest peaks dominate this sub-region. This table lists them in order of elevation.  A fuller description of each peak can be found by clicking on the “Catskill 3500 Club” link below.  

● Does not have maintained trail to summit

■ Register box on summit maintained by Catskill 3500 Club

 Resources:

• Overview of Catskill Mountains Region
• Description of Catskill Park
  • Detailed accounts of hikes in Catskill Park
    • Description of Kaaterskill Falls area
    • Devils Path East Section hike
  • Catskill Interpretative Center

Trails Overview:

Catskills – Northeastern sub-region has 30 trails.  The majority of them are under two miles, while the Escarpment Trail and the Devil’s path are around 24 miles each.  In addition an 11-mile segment of the Long Path passes through the area.  These trails are displayed on NY-NJ Trail Conference “Northeastern Catskill Trails” Map 141.  The reverse side of the maps provides information about trailheads and turning points tied to mileage.  Featured below are a few popular trails:

• Escarpment Trail [23.9 miles, blue, map grid P4/M2, trail designation ES].  Although the Escarpment Trail is a continuous 23.9-mile trail, extending from Schutt Road at the North/South Lake State Campground to NY 23 near Windham, there are, in a sense, two Escarpment Trails - the first being the lower five miles, an appealing day trip around the North Lake area, and the second being the remainder of the trail, which is ideal for backpacking [but also offers many day-hiking opportunities].
  • The southern trailhead is opposite the parking area on Schutt Road, just before the North/South Lake State Campground gatehouse.
• Devil's Path [25.1 miles, red blaze, TC Map 141 grid O5/K4, trail designation  DP].  According to tradition attributed to the area's early Dutch settlers, the range of mountains traversed by the Devil's Path - with their steep, rocky slopes and deep gaps between them - were the devil's private preserve, specially adapted to his cloven hooves, where he could go when desiring to retreat from the world of man.  Most hikers cover this trail in short sections, using access trails through the cols for rewarding day climbs. 
  • Although the Devil's Path officially starts at the junction of Prediger and Platte Clove roads, several miles southeast of Tannersville, most hikers will choose to begin their hikes at the end of Prediger Road, 0.4 mile to the south, where there is limited parking along the right side of the road.  A side trail [yellow] to Hunter Mountain is roughly 15 miles from the trailhead.
• Other Hunter Mountain Routes
  • The most popular route up Hunter Mountain is the Spruceton Trail [blue, map grid L5/M5, trial designation SP], the former jeep road to the fire tower.  Parking area is on Spruceton Road [County 6), 6.7 miles east of NY 42.
    • A popular eight-mile loop hike of Hunter Mountain, starting from the parking area near the end of Spruceton Road, can be made by using the Spruceton Trail, the Hunter Mountain Trail, and Devil's Path, and the Diamond Notch Trail. 
  • The Becker Hollow Trail [2.2 miles, blue, map grid M5, trail designation BH] offers the shortest route to the summit but has a well-earned reputation as the most difficult, due to its steady and steep grade.  It begins from NY 214, 1.3 miles south of its junction with NY 23A and 1.6 miles north of the Devil's Path crossing at Notch Lake.   
• Overlook Mountain.
  •  A 3,140-foot peak north of Woodstock, Overlook Mountain has been a popular climb since the eighteenth century.  Its outstanding views over the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley have been enhanced by the restoration in 2000 of the fire tower on its summit.
    • Overlook Mountain may be approached either from Platte Clove Road to the north on the Overlook Trail [3.7 miles, blue, map grid O6, trail designation OL, or from Meads Mountain Road on the Overlook Spur Trail [2.3 miles, red, map grid O6, trail designation OS], with the shorter southern approach being favored by most hikers.
• Kaaterskill Falls Trail [0.4 mile, yellow blaze, map grid O4, trail designation  KF].  This short trail allows visitors to access the base of Kaaterskill Falls, the highest waterfall in New York.
  • Trailhead is on the north side of NY 23A, about two miles west of Palenville, and just east of the bridge over Bastion Falls.  The parking area, however, is on the south side of the road, 0.25 mile further west.  Caution should be exercised while walking along this narrow, busy highway.
• Black Dome Range Trail [also known as Blackhead Range Trail, 7.4 miles, red, map grid N3/O3, trail designation BD].  A distinct trio of high peaks visible from a distance, the Blackhead Range forms the southern wall of Big Hollow Valley, east of Hensonville.  The Black Dome Range Trail traverses two of these peaks, and it connects with the Blackhead Mountain Trail [0.7 mile, yellow, grid O3, trail designation BM], which leads to the summit of its namesake.
  • The western trailhead of the Black Dome Range Trail can be reached from the hamlet of Maplecrest by driving south on Maplecrest Road and turning left onto Elmer Barnum Road.  The trail officially begins at this intersection, but cars can be driven along Elmer Barnum Road for another 0.9 mile to the end of the road, where parking is available.
• Colgate Lake Trail [4.3 miles, yellow, map grid O4, trail designation CL].  The Colgate Lake Trail offers the hiker the rare opportunity to take in some beautiful woodland and views at a mostly level grade.
  • It begins at a parking area on County 78, just east of Colgate Lake.

Trailhead descriptions and mile marker turning points of the remaining two dozen or so trails are detailed on the reverse side of TC Trail Map 141.  A map insert of a segment of the Long Path is also included.   

Park Acreage:

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