Featured:
Lemon Squeeze at Mohonk Mountainhouse
This is a popular jaunt of avid rock scramblers. The Lemon Squeeze is named after one of its last stretches where you're basically ‘squeezed’ like a lemon to get to the top.
Difficulty? 8 out of 10. This amazing hike will put all your muscles in your legs, arms and hands to work gripping, climbing and wiggling your way between rocks. Be prepared to upscale many ladders stratal'ed between tight crevices and doing some hard rock scrambling plus a 2 mile hike to and from the Lemon Squeeze Hike. We took the shuttle bus up to save an hour + off our journey (definitely recommended if you're on a time crunch, shuttle is free but be sure to tip your driver).
At the top there is an amazing view at the lookout tower which looks west over the Ridge. An unobstructed panoramic view from the top of it all!
Located off exit 18 (New Paltz) on the NYS Thruway. Cost is $25 per person upon arrival of Mohonk's Mountainhouse base.
HIKING // SCENIC WALKS
Ashokan Reservoir
Walking, biking, skating...
Located in Ulster County, about 13 miles west of Kingston and 73 miles
north of New York City. Formed by the damming of the Esopus Creek,
which eventually flows northeast and drains into the Hudson River.
NY-28 W to Ashokan Reservoir.
Black Creek Preserve
Hiking, fishing, picnicking, kayak tours, dog walking, bird watching, nature study...
Esopus, Ulster County (130 acres)—Black Creek Preserve is a great
destination for a family-friendly hike. Kids will love crossing the
dramatic suspension bridge that spans the creek and exploring the
Hudson River shoreline. The preserve is a perfect place to explore the
region's threatened species — from blueback herring and alewives.
Crossing Mid-Hudson Bridge from east to west, take Route 9W north for 7.6 miles. Right on Winding Brook Road. Immediate left for parking lot.
Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks
Hiking, biking, jogging...
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 (It's a fairly long hike, and has one extremely steep section)
Highlights: Breathtaking cliffs, rock scramble, amazing views
Total ascent: 1,215 ft
Max Elevation: 1,195 ft above sea level
Distance: Approximately a 6 mile loop
Roundtrip time: Approximately 4 hours
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horseback riding, swimming...
Located in Ulster County, NY Minnewaska State Park Preserve is
situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more
than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky
terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky
lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges
opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys,
world-class rock climbing.
Photo of map taken from: http://www.lakeminnewaska.org
Rondout River Walk
Beautiful walk down the Rondout River.
The Strand Walkway (Rondout River Walk)
1 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401
Shaupeneak Ridge
Hiking, biking, bird watching, dog walking, fishing, hunting (with permit), kayaking, canoeing, picnicking...
Great hike with amazing views and a lake.
"Esopus, Ulster County (790 acres)—Located on the slopes and top of Shaupeneak Ridge, part of the Marlboro Mountains, the preserve offers a cornucopia of treats for nature lovers — wildflower-filled grasslands, woods, a waterfall and pond, stunning rock formations and an abundance of wildlife, including beaver, deer, coyotes and turkeys. Just as impressive are the vistas, stretching to the Hudson River and, once the leaves have fallen, the Catskill Mountains. (Scenic Hudson has protected farmland at the base of Shaupeneak Ridge to ensure pastoral views from the preserve remain unspoiled.) This splendor, combined with the rugged terrain, has made Shaupeneak Ridge one of the region's prime mountain-biking destinations. The preserve also is the site of Scenic Hudson's annual Spring Sprint 5K Trail Race. At whatever speed you enjoy the trails, you'll be amply rewarded.
For a fun, family-friendly hike, follow the trail around Louisa Pond (abloom with water lilies in summer) and an adjacent wetland that provides food and shelter for birds, dragonflies and other creatures." ScenicHudson.org
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Highlights: Views, beautiful woods, and views of Lake
Distance: 2.2 miles loop
Round trip time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Read more at: http://www.scenichudson.org/parks/shaupeneakridge
Split Rock Falls- Mohonk Preserve
Hiking, swimming...
A diverse wading area in Coxing Kill where the creek plunges into a
small gorge of solid rock and streams out on the other end into a
pool.
Take 44/55 to Clove Rd. Keep to the right on this dirt road, over
bridges, until you get to the to the Coxing Kill Trailhead and parking
area.
Walk over the Hudson - Bridge/Park
Hiking, biking, bird watching, jogging, roller Skating, in-line skating, picnicking...
Amazing park and walk at 212 feet high and about 1.28 miles long.
Conceived by converting an old abandoned Railroad bridge into a modern
day pedestrian park. It's one of the longest elevated pedestrian
bridges in the world!
Travel and Leisure Magazine rated it one of the "Worlds Most Spectacular Pedestrian Bridges" in the world
87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY 12528 // 845-834-2867
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
Hiking, biking, jogging...
Amazing park and walk at 212 feet high and about 1.28 miles long.
Conceived by converting an old abandoned Railroad bridge into a modern
day pedestrian park. It's one of the longest elevated pedestrian
bridges in the world!
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 23.7-mile (38.1 km) rail trail and linear park that runs along the former Wallkill Valley Railroad rail corridor in Ulster County, New York. As of 2011, it stretches from Gardiner throughNew Paltz, crossing the Wallkill River as it reaches Rosendale. The trail is separated from the Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail by two state prisons in Shawangunk, though there have been plans to bypass these facilities, and to connect the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail with other regional rail trails.
To start from New Paltz; From I-87 (New York State Thruway) take exit 18 to Route 299 west into New Paltz. Just before crossing over the Wallkill River Bridge, take a right onto Hounert St and another right into the parking lot. The trail is located on the opposite side of the old Train station.
To start from the Binnewater Kiln parking lot; From I-87 (New York State Thruway) take exit 18 to Route 299 west into New Paltz. Cross Rondout Creek and take a left onto Main St (Route 213). Travel less then a mile and turn right up Binnewater Rd. The parking area will be on the left after less then 1/2 mile.
To start from Gardiner; From I-87 (New York State Thruway) take exit 18 to Route 299 west into New Paltz. Take Route 32 south and turn right onto Route 44 west into Gardiner center where the trail crosses the road. Parking is available here.
To learn more about hiking in the Hudson Valley, check out these great resource sites: