The Hudson Valley is famous for its breathtaking views, lush landscapes and rock scrambling fun. But for those new to the area, or have been out of the hiking game for a while, you might wonder where to begin, and what sort of trails match your skill level. Well wonder no more. The Shawangunk Journal has you covered with these “choose your own adventure” trails good enough to do more than once.

A little Bit Of Everything

If you want to experience open fields with fluttering butterflies, wooded terrain, carriage roads, and a bit of rock scrambling, with a lovely payoff all in a three-mile trek, then Bonticou Crag may be the right hike for you. This short hike’s difficulty level really depends on which way you go, ranging from moderate to strenuous. Hikers can either test their hand-eye coordination by “bouldering” up the hillside, or they can take the more even-keeled, roundabout way up. Both paths are clearly labeled.

To get there, park at the Spring Farm Entry lot off of Upper 27 Knolls Road in Mohonk Preserve. You will have to pay the Preserve’s standard admission fee. From the parking lot, follow the blue trail for a little less than 0.2 miles, then turn right onto the red trail. You will cut through a few gravel carriage roads until you reach a four-way crossroads. Take the second left onto Bonticou Road. After a few bends, you will see a yellow connector trail to your left, which leads to the rock scrambling portion of the trail. This can be difficult, and is only recommended for hikers with sure footing, but is a whole lot of fun. Climbing up large boulders that appear to have tumbled down from some giant on high can take you back to childhood memories of hopping from rock to rock.

But if you are looking for a safer route, take the yellow connector trail as far as the blue-marked trail and turn left. The blue trail eventually brings you to, let’s call it, the back entrance of Bonticou Crag, connecting back up with the yellow trail and providing a more gradual incline to the summit. Once on top, there are plenty of spaces for picnicking and taking in the sweet smell of pitch pines. And you have the best views to the south of the summit, with sweeping vistas of the Hudson River and the lower Hudson Valley. To get down, the easiest route is the aforementioned back entrance, taking the yellow trail back down to blue.

A Long, View-Filled Stroll

Not too far away from the Mohonk Preserve Visitor’s Center is a leisurely stroll with great views of the Catskills on one side, and courageous mountain climbers on the other. It’s still within Preserve property (so the same fees would apply); visitors should get in early to park either in the lot off of Clove Road or the parking near Trapps Bridge, but for this description, we’re going to start from the Clove Road lot. From the parking area, connect to the blue-marked trail, known on the New York-New Jersey Trail Map as “Old Minnewaska Trail,” and head east. Almost immediately you can see the Catskills to your left. The trail is relatively even and traverses the opposite side of the cliff edge known as The Trapps, where many rock climbers go for a bit of wall-hanging fun.

In roughly 2.5 miles, the blue trail connects to the Laurel Edge carriage road. If you turn right, you have the option of going up onto Overcliff Road, or down onto Undercliff Road. The latter allows you to see the rock climbers in action. Either road will lead you, after another two to three miles, back toward parking. The Red Shongum Path connector trail can take you back to the blue trail, if you parked on Clove Road. So while this loop hike in its entirety may be long, the terrain is rather easy.

A Drive Worth The Trip

If you don’t mind driving, Panther Mountain in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area of the Catskills offers fantastic views and rich, lush forests. The first step out onto the Giant Ledge overlook is akin to skydiving, or standing atop a rollercoaster right before it plummets… but in a good way. The trailhead is about 34 miles north of Ellenville. Parking is free and can be found after traveling about 22 miles north on Oliverea Road/Route 42. Signs for the trailhead and parking can be seen from the road, but it’s right at a hairpin turn, so stay alert

This is what Bilbo Baggins might call a “there and back again” hike, unless you park a second car at a lot on the opposite side of the trail on Fox Hollow Road. Otherwise you just climb up, soak in the views and wildlife, and climb back down.

To begin your ascent, hop on to the yellow-blazed Phoenicia-East Branch trail for about two-thirds of a mile, then turn left onto the blue-blazed, Giant Ledge/Panther Mountain trail. The ascent is gradual at first, with a few steep bits thrown in for good measure. After nearly a mile, you will see a clearing with some ledges to your right. Carefully walk out to see the gorgeous views in the figurative heart of the Catskills. One ledge juts out far enough to almost give you a sense of unease, especially if you were not expecting to suddenly be on a sort of natural stage, as if performing for the valley below.

There are a few more views up the Panther Mountain trail facing the same easterly direction, but the rest of the trip is really to soak in flora and fauna unique to this region. You may see some lady slippers during certain times of year. If you do end up walking the entire trail, it’s about four miles one way. You start at about 2,000 feet. Giant Ledge takes you up another 1,200 feet. The summit, which is three-quarters of a mile from Giant Ledge, sits at 3,720 feet. If you decide to go past the summit down toward Fox Hollow Road, it gradually drops down to around 1,400 feet, so take that elevation change into account when you decide to go “back again.”

Ridge Views Not To Miss

The Shawangunk Ridge has several spots to hike, and multiple trailheads to construct your journey, but a nice, rewarding loop trail is just up the road from Ellenville on Cox Road off of Route 52. While the parking lot is small, there’s also room across the street for additional parking. Essentially, you’re going to follow the red trail to loop up to the ridge, take in the views, and climb back down. Since the red trail is a loop, you’ll see two possible directions. They both end up the same place, so it’s up to you. For this guide, we’ll head to the right, or northbound. The first leg of this journey goes through your standard deciduous forest up a gradual incline on an old woods road, with an easy to moderate difficulty level.

After less than a mile, you start to see the rocky formations that make the ridge famous. The trail leads you along the forest just below the actual ridge, allowing you a sneak peak of the mini caverns and ancient rock formations. As you get closer, the terrain may be a bit wet. In some areas, you can hear water running below the rocks. Brightly colored mosses cover various crevices and cliff edges. Saplings grow from the most unlikely spots off the rocks — a testament to the robustness of nature.

Then you begin the quick ascent up to the actual ridge. You’ll connect to the Long Path/Shawangunk Ridge Trail. Once there you can see the Catskills to the north, and more of the ridge on either side. Pitch pines take hold within the top crevices, along with a few blueberry bushes and other shrubs. Vultures and other predatory birds may be seen perching on various natural outposts. To follow the loop, turn left onto the Long Path, which runs for about 1.5 miles along this stretch of the ridge, until you connect back to the red trail, which should appear on your left. You can take this back down to the parking area. The entire loop is a quick but rewarding three miles, and sure to be a favorite for years to come. Plus, there’s no parking fees!

Ultimate Rock Scrambling

If you went the hard way up Bonticou Crag and want to do a bit more rock scrambling, but aren’t in the market for actual rock-climbing gear, there’s a trail east of the Hudson River, about 39 miles south, that might satisfy your scrambling desires. Breakneck Ridge is tough and hot, sometimes windy and sometimes crowded, but well worth it for experienced hikers looking for a challenge.

From Ellenville, connect to Route 52 and head toward Pine Bush. Then connect to Route 84 by way of 17K and head toward Beacon. Follow I-84 to NY-9D in Fishkill, then follow 9D south for about 6.5 miles. You’ll see a wide-open parking area parallel to 9D, facing the Hudson River. After parking (again, no fees involved here), walk a few feet south to the trailhead. There will be a sign and white blazes, and a cascade of rocks leading up, up, and up some more.

In about a half mile, you will have already gone up 1,200 feet, and you may spend most of that time using hands and feet to hoist yourself up. Behind you, views of the Hudson River, Storm King Mountain and the West Point Military Academy will begin to appear. Sometimes you can even hear artillery fire from the academy. This trail, again, offers several different avenues, and there are so many viewpoints that you can be satisfied with your journey at nearly any place above the initial climb. This is another one fun enough to traverse more than once.

Because of the rough, inclined terrain, one mile might feel like five. After climbing about 1.6 miles, the white trail connects with a blue trail and the elevation begins to vary, going down a hundred feet then back up. You can easily carve out six miles of this for a loop trail, taking the white trail up to Sunset Point, then going back down using a yellow-blazed trail. But that loop empties you out onto Route 9D in a different parking spot about a half mile further north.

This whole area is rich with trails and a good map can give you loads of avenues to explore, but the main fun is that initial climb, and those lovely views that are right out of a Hudson Valley postcard.

Things To Consider

· When hiking with a group, have your slowest hiker go first. That way you all get the same amount of break time and no one gets left behind.

· Wear protective gear for both sun and bugs, including ticks!

· Some hiking etiquette books suggest giving hikers climbing upward the right of way, since their trek may be more difficult and require more concentration than those descending.

· Keep hydrated, and keep your electrolyte levels up. If you ever get swollen fingers after a hike, that may be due to an electrolyte imbalance.

· Band-aids, moleskin and even dancer’s wool can help prevent blisters when hot spots start to develop on your feet. And always bring first-aid, headlamps and other safety travel gear.

· Carry out whatever you carry in.

· Be mindful of the people around you; don’t kick rocks off of ledges, for example.

· And, unless you are training for some sort of triathlon, remember to take in the sights. Be present, aware and alert.

Happy hiking!