High Falls, New York

North of New York City by 90 minutes lies the town of Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley. Cold Spring has a hometown quality with a Main Street, a firehouse, and art galleries of local artists. Despite its proximity to NYC, locals maintain a slower pace and enjoy many outdoor activities. Just a sho...

The Wethersfield Estate is a beautiful estate and property located less than 2 hours north of New York City. The gardens are expansive and extremely beautiful, open to the public each day from noon to 5pm (COVID-19 hours). Additionally, there are trails for horseback rides, carriage rides, dog-wa...

Layman's Monument and Kaaterskill Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you to one of New York's tallest waterfalls at 231 feet and to the historical monument for Frank D. Layman, who passed away in 1990 while fighting a forest fire. This trail is located near Haines Falls, New York.

The Kaaterskill Rail Trail begins near Haines Falls, New York heading toward North and South Lake. The trail is set in a gorgeous forest, and is used for hiking, trail running, and birding trips. The trail provides exceptional views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, forests, and towns. 

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A real mixed bag but mostly very enjoyable. The trail starts at the Charcoal Burners Trailhead Route 301. There is only road side parking on a soft shoulder, both sides of the road.  After a short walk into the forest, you re...

Beaver Pond is a small body of water created by a dam that was constructed during the days of iron ore mining in the area.  The pond is crystal clear and has a wonderful tree line right on the water.  The best time to visit here is early morning in the fall.  With the leaves changing color they m...

Its a great place to explore as it has a beautiful calm lake especially in the fall, the reflection of the water and the awesome colors are unbelievable. Its a short hike but you certainly could go further up. Parking is free by the road, hike towards the lake about a mile or so. The sound of bi...

This short hike is one of the most popular in the Catskills — and for good reason. From the Laurel House Road Trailhead, it’s less than a mile round trip to reach Kaaterskill Falls, New York’s tallest two-tiered waterfall, with a dramatic 260-foot drop into a rocky amphitheater. The trail itse...

Located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, this is an outdoors-mans(and woman's) dream spot! Although this hike is accessible year round, if you decide to go during the summer you should expect crowds. Luckily, there are so many different trails and activities that it won't even matter. North-S...

Indian Brook Falls is CLOSED as of 2022. Learn more at HighlandsCurrent.org. Take a short simple walk to a beautiful waterfall near the Constitution Marsh and Audubon Center. This waterfall is great spot for the whole family to take in its beauty. This is about as short a walk and as little eff...

Have you ever wanted to feel as if you were hiking two different locations at once? If so, then North Mountain is definitely somewhere to check out. Take the birch tree forests around Aspen, CO and pair it with the spruces/pines of the Adirondacks and you'll have this route in the Catskills. Par...

This trails starts at a small park in Woodbury called Gonzaga Park.  Closed from mid-November to April, you are still able to park just outside the gate if that is the time of year you are hiking.  Three different trail names share this path.  The Jessup trail starts/end at Gonzaga Park and trave...

Dover Stone Church has been a beautiful and popular destination in the Hudson Valley for some time, and recently the park purchased a new parcel of land and added three trails through the nearby woods. But the gem of the park is, and always will be, the impressive cave with the creek and waterfal...

King's Chamber and Moose Hill Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Carmel, New York.

This is more of a stroll than a hike, which is nice because you can add it to another hike in the same day if you're in the area. From the dirt parking lot take the trail off to the right. Just stay straight and in about 15 minutes you'll see a huge fire tower (hard to miss). Feel free to climb a...

Popolopen Torne is a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, a surprisingly unknown trail with a beautiful payoff and a far deeper meaning. A short hike to the top puts you at the foot of a memorial to those who have served their country, a pile of painted rocks carried up by those who want to pay their...