Catskills -- Western
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Park Overview:
With miles of easily accessed trails -- some on wide, grassy roads, others more challenging -- and no 3,500-foot peaks to climb, this region of the Catskills offers more relaxed paths to nature.
Park Description:
Western Catskills
The trails in this gentler area of the western Catskills are concentrated in the towns of Colchester and Andes in Delaware County, south of the Pepacton Reservoir and north of Route 17 around Roscoe, NY. These trails are not as heavily used as those elsewhere in the Catskills; thus, they are ideal for the hiker who is seeking greater solitude.
Resources:
Trails Overview:
Catskills – Western sub-region contains 17 trails. They range in length from 0.7 mile to 7.3 miles. Totaling 63 miles, some are mixed-use with snowmobiles. In addition another 20 miles of unblazed snowmobile pathways traverse parts of the Willowemoc Wild Forest and Delaware Wild Forest. These trails are displayed, and snowmobile pathways clearly marked, on NY-NJ Trail Conference “Western Catskill Trails” Map 144. The map’s reverse provides information about the 17 trails, including trailheads and turning points linked to mileage.
Some of the trails in the area (summarized below) can be combined to form a continuous 25-mile one-way hike, but since there are many road crossings, individual trails can be hiked in day trips.
- Touch-Me-Not Trail (6.7 miles, red blaze, TC Map 144, map grid E7/D7, trail designation TO). The most easterly section of the Delaware County trail system, the Touch-Me-Not Trail begins at the Alder Lake parking area in Ulster County.
- Middle Mountain Trail (2.3 miles, red, map grid D7, trail designation MM). The trail begins on Beech Hill Road, 0.2 mile north of the western end of the Touch-Me-Not Trail, passing a spring not far from its start.
- Mary Smith Trail (4.5 miles, red, map grid C7/D7, trail designation MS). The trail begins on the west side of Mary Smith Hill Road, opposite the western end of the Middle Mountain Trail.
- Campbell Mountain Trail (6.3 miles, blue, map grid B7, trail designation CM). The trail begins at the junction with the Little Spring Brook Trail (yellow) and the Pelnor Hollow Trail (blue).
- Trout Pond Trail (5.1 miles, blue, map grid A8/B7, trail designation TP). The last link in this chain of trails starts at Campbell Mountain Road across from the west end of the Campbell Mountain Trail. It ends at a parking area on Russell Brook Road, 0.5 mile south of its junction with Morton Hill Road. Follow woods road along outlet stream of Trout Pond.
West of Mongaup Pond. To the west of Mongaup Pond State Campground in the Town of Rockland is an extensive trail system, composed primarily of wide, grassy roads designed primarily for snowmobile and/or cross-country ski traffic. These gentle roads also make appealing hikes.
- The trail system can be accessed via the snowmobile trail which heads west from the campground, or by driving up Beech Mountain Road to its end. The Flynn Trail (3.3 miles, blue, TC Map 144, map grid E8, trail designation FY) begins here heading north. The Quick Lake Trail (7.2 miles, red, map grid E8, trail designation QL) heads in a more northwesterly direction from the same trailhead parking area.
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Various towns /Delaware /UlsterWith miles of easily accessed trails -- some on wide, grassy roads, others more challenging -- and no 3,500-foot peaks to climb, this region of the Catskills offers more relaxed paths to nature.
Western Catskills
The trails in this gentler area of the western Catskills are concentrated in the towns of Colchester and Andes in Delaware County, south of the Pepacton Reservoir and north of Route 17 around Roscoe, NY. These trails are not as heavily used as those elsewhere in the Catskills; thus, they are ideal for the hiker who is seeking greater solitude.
Resources:...
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Various towns /Delaware /UlsterContact Information
Web Link:
Department of Environmental Conservation – Region 3Phone:
(845) 256-3083Fees:
Not availableDogs in park:
Dogs off leash
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Use Loacation Tab:
- Alder Lake: Take Exit 96 off of N.Y. Route 17 and go to the T-intersection near Livingston Manor. Turn right, go approximately 1 mile and make a right onto Johnson Hill Road (Sullivan County Route 151/Beaverkill Road). At the steel bridge in Turnwood, turn left onto Alder Creek Road (Ulster County Route 54). Go past the Beaverkill Fish Hatchery and continue until the road changes to dirt. Make a right onto Access Road to Alder Lake. About 3 miles north of Turnwood. GPS: 42.049412,-74.680767
- Russell Brook Road: Take N.J. Route 17 north to the New York Thruway and continue to Exit 16. Proceed west on NY 17 to Exit 94 (Roscoe). Turn left at the end of the ramp onto County Route 179, which becomes N.Y. Route 206 in half a mile. In 2.6 miles (from Exit 94), you’ll cross the Beaver Kill. Just beyond the bridge over the stream, turn left onto Morton Hill Road. Follow this road for 3.1 miles to the intersection with Russell Brook Road (on the left). Turn left onto Russell Brook Road and follow it downhill for about half a mile to a parking area on the right. GPS: 41.994696,-74.940856
- Mongaup Pond State Park: From Route 17 West (quickway) to Exit 96 at Livingston Manor; make a right off the ramp then make a left onto Old Route 17, make first left onto County Road 81 & 82, 6 miles to DeBruce; turn left at signs on Mongaup Road, 3 miles to campsite. Street address: 231 Mongaup Pond Road, Livingston Manor, NY 12758
- Trailhead parking is before the entrance to the park on Beech Mountain Road. GPS: 42.049412,-74.680767
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