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Home , Catskill High Peaks, Catskill Mountain House, Diamond Notch, Kaaterskill Falls

a Hiker’s paradise

The Great Northern Catskills is a hiker’s paradise, o ering a “big mountain” experience and year-round adventure. With an array of hiking to choose from, you can climb to the summits of the Catskills’ tallest peaks for breathtaking  ve-state views, hike to – the highest cascading in the State, discover the northern ’ legendary “cloves” where took his marathon nap, and enjoy the area’s enchanting wilderness.

For the experienced hiker, try Directions to Diamond Notch Falls: Hunter Mountain Fire Tower the which includes Drive to the eastern end of Spruceton Valley During the summer months at Hunter the 21-mile portion of the along Cty. Rte. 6, o Rte. 42, north of Deep Mountain, hikers can ride the chairlift to the Notch. An old roadbed continues east of the Escarpment . Beginning Colonel’s Chair and then walk the remaining parking area, heading for Diamond Notch. in Ft. Lee, NJ, the path winds 2.1 miles to Hunter’s 4,040-foot summit and The are located about 0.75 miles  re tower. Surrounded by a dense spruce- r through State Parks and from the trailhead. forest, the tower has the distinction of continues through the Catskill Distance and Diffi culty: The 1.5-mile being sited higher than any other in New Park for 95 miles and climbs round-trip walk to Diamond Notch Falls York State and o ers 360-degree views of some of the highest in the and back is easy and family-friendly. The the Catskill high peaks, Devil’s Path, Platte Catskills. The path presents scenic 4-mile round-trip hike to Diamond Clove and the . challenging climbs interspersed Notch is also relatively easy. Directions: Follow signs to Hunter Moun- with gentle walks. tain ski resort base lodge o Rte. 23A. Distance and Diffi culty: From the top of the chairlift to the  re tower and back, it is Other well-known hikes: a di cult 4.2-mile round-trip hike. Diamond Notch Falls A hidden gem, Diamond Notch Falls is a 15-foot waterfall in a beautiful stream valley with a hiking trail that leads up to Diamond Notch. The notch separates Hunter and Westkill mountains. Pratt Rock Dubbed the “Mount Rushmore of the East,” Pratt Rock features 150-year-old carvings commissioned by Zadock Pratt, who ran one of the largest leather tanneries in the during the 1800s. An avid breeder of prized horses and dogs, Pratt hired stonecutters to immortalize him and his loves. A series of interwoven trails fol- Kaaterskill Falls low a moderate grade to the carvings and At 260 feet, this two-tiered fall is the high- Newman’s Ledge and the the trail continues for a short distance to a est cascading waterfall in New York State. Site series of southeast-facing ledges with great The spectacular waterfall attracted tourists, views of the Schoharie Valley, Bearpen and painters and poets when it was  rst publi- In the mid-to-late 1800s, this area was Vly mountains. among the premier resorts in the New cized in the early 1800s. It is the subject of Directions: Look for a parking area located World. Hikers can check out Newman’s numerous paintings by and along Rte. 23, about one mile west of its Ledge and the site of the former Catskill other painters in the famed intersection with Rte. 23A. The trail leads to Mountain House, a famed summer retreat School of Art. a picnic area and a kiosk with information for European nobility and America’s nou- about Pratt and the interwoven trails. Directions to the base of the waterfall: veau riche that overlooked 50 miles of the Park 0.1-mile west of the horseshoe bend Hudson Valley and into New England. Even Distance and Diffi culty: An easy 0.4-mile on Rte. 23A at Bastion Falls. Walk downhill more ambitious hikers may want to head climb from the parking area. along the road, cross bridge and follow north on the Escarpment Trail, which o ers For more information about hiking yellow markers. Trail ends at .7 miles. Do incredible views from Sunset Rock, Artist’s on State Land, contact the DEC, not attempt to hike beyond this point or Point, North Point and other vistas. Region 4 o ce at 518-473-9518Montreal climb the falls. Directions: From Rte. 23A at Haines Falls, or www.dec.ny.gov Distance and Diffi culty: A moderate take Cty. Rte. 18, North Lake Road, to VT 1.4-mile round-trip hike. North-South Lake State Campground.

Directions to the top of the waterfall: From the beach parking area follow the Glens Falls Rutland Utica NH Continue west on Rte. 23A to Haines Falls. signs and head up the road to the BuffaloMountain Syracuse Bennington Troy Albany Turn right on Cty. Rte. 18, North Lake Road. Oneonta House site. After returning to the parking Pittsfield MA Turn right onto Laurel House Lane, park at area, follow the Escarpment Trail (blue Binghamton Catskill Springfield Kingston CT end of road and follow the beaten path for markers). GREAT NORTHERN Poughkeepsie Hartford RI CATSKILLS Middletown a magni cent view from the top of the falls. Danbury Distance and Diffi culty: An easy .25-mile Scranton NJ PA New York Huntington Distance and Diffi culty: A short, easy hike, suitable for all. Newark City walk ideal for all capabilities. 100 Mile Radius Exercise caution near the waterfall.

0 100 Miles

0 100 KM CAUTION: Outdoor recreation activities are by their very nature potentially hazardous and contain Parallelrisks. scale All at 43 ˚participantsN 0˚ E in such activities must assume the responsibility for their own actions and safety. The outdoors are forever changing. The Greene County Tourism O ce cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies, errors or omissions, or for changes in the details in this publication or for the consequences of any reliance on the information contained herein for the safety of people in the outdoors.

Great Northern Catskills Visitor Center, Rte. 23B, Leeds, NY 12451 800-355-CATS www.greatnortherncatskills.com/outdoors/hiking Facebook.com/GreatNorthernCatskills