25 Must-Do Hikes in Upstate New York

Looking for the best hikes in Upstate New York? Read on for the top 25 hiking trails across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Adirondacks and beyond.

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The state of New York is a haven for outdoor adventures. As soon as you leave the confines of New York City, you’re met with winding roads that weave through forested grounds and endless mountain ranges.

New York state is so much more than Manhattan — and this list of best hikes in Upstate New York will prove it.

The great thing about the hiking trails in Upstate New York is that each has its own unique appeal. Think 360-degree views of the Hudson Valley, rock scrambles that lead up to scenic vistas, sky-high summits, rumbling waterfalls and majestic gorges.

The best hiking trails in Upstate NY deliver on all of this and more.

What Makes Hiking in Upstate New York So Magical?

Ancient gorges formed by glaciers? New York’s got them. Tallest waterfall on the East Coast? Yep. Mountains towering over 5,000 feet? That too.

New York might not get all the attention as California or Utah does — but the state is home to some of the most magical (and lesser-known) hikes in the country. The landscape here is marked by some of the most interesting geological features on the East Coast, all thanks to giant glaciers that carved their way through millions of years ago.

From the powerful waterfalls in the Finger Lakes to the awe-inspiring scenes of fall foliage in the Adirondack Mountains, hiking in New York is one of the most popular activities among locals.

In this post you’ll find the top 25 top hikes in Upstate New York, broken down by difficulty.

4 Things To Know Before Hiking in Upstate NY

• Protect yourself from ticks: Ticks are common in Upstate NY, and they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme. It’s recommended to wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing (making it easier to spot them); avoid areas with large amounts of vegetation; and thoroughly check yourself and pets when done hiking.
• Practice Leave No Trace: Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Most importantly, make sure to dispose of your waste properly and leave absolutely no trash behind. Try to leave the trail cleaner than how you found it!
• Wear appropriate hiking shoes: Hikes in Upstate NY require sturdy hiking shoes. Many of the trails have steep inclines, some can be muddy and many are rocky. Having the proper hiking gear is crucial to avoid injuries like a sprained ankle, or worse.
• Renting a car in New York can be expensive. Looking for a good car rental deal in New York? Aren’t we all. Check out Discover Cars for the best deals for your road trip.

5 Hiking Must-Haves

Here are the five hiking must-haves I never leave home without:

1. An awesome pair of Columbia hiking boots
2. Hiking water bottle with a built-in water filter
3. Hiking daypack
4. A good windbreaker
5. These awesome hiking leggings

| Read More: Top 10 Best Road Trips From NYC

Easy Hikes in Upstate New York

1. Taughannock Falls

• Location: Ithaca
• Distance: 2 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Easy

A pleasant 1-mile walk in the woods will lead you to the base of the incredible Taughannock Falls, a 215-foot waterfall that’s taller than Niagara Falls. The plunge waterfall is surrounded by 400-foot cliffs on either side, making it a truly magical place to take in Upstate New York’s beauty.

The Gorge Trail is an easy, mostly flat hiking trail in Upstate NY. Since the falls are so accessible, you can expect to find crowds. Go early in the morning to beat them. There’s also an overlook that gives you a unique view of the falls from above. There are two other trails at Taughannock Falls State Park, including the South Rim (~1 mile) and North Rim (~1.5 mile) trails. The North Rim Trail takes you to the Upper Falls, also known as the Hidden Falls.

Tip: These falls tend to dry up in the summer. Consider visiting in the spring or after heavy rainfall in the fall to see them at their full potential.

2. Kaaterskill Falls

• Location: Haines Falls, The Catskills
• Distance: 2 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Easy-to-moderate

Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most popular Upstate New York hikes in the Catskills. There is a steep, rocky but short hike to the base of Kaaterskill Falls, the most well-known waterfall in the region. The 260-foot waterfall split in two is also one of the tallest in New York.

There are many places to park for the hike, but the lot at the end of Laurel House Road is the most commonly used. You’ll first reach a viewpoint over the falls before beginning your descent. The quick trail features rustic staircases leading down to the falls and is considered easy to moderate.

Tip: Since there are many ways to access the trailhead and closures are common, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research before tackling this hike. Here’s a great guide that can help you plan.

3. Cobble Lookout

• Location: Wilmington, Adirondack Mountains (near Lake Placid) 
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Easy

Cobble Lookout is one of the easiest hikes in Upstate New York with one of the best views. Who doesn’t love an easy hike with a grand reward? The Cobble Lookout hike is a lesser-known trail near Lake Placid with incredible views over the Adirondack Mountains.

The 2.4-mile out-and-back trail is mostly flat and takes you through a heavily wooded area with plenty of shade. In just 30 minutes the trees clear out onto an expansive cliff overlooking the Adirondacks. The view stretches on for miles and miles. I can imagine it being especially breathtaking at sunset.

To get there, take New York State Route 86 to Whiteface Mountain Highway (Route 431). Turn left, and drive up to the Gillespie Drive junction. Veer right onto Gillespie Drive, and the parking area for Cobble Lookout will be on your right. Learn more about this New York hike here.

Tip: The area is heavily wooded and the trail doesn’t get much sunlight. If you go after heavy rainfall, the trail can be quite muddy.

| Read More: What To Do In Lake Placid in the Summer

4. Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park

• Location: Watkins Glen, Finger Lakes
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

Watkins Glen is home to one of the most popular Upstate New York hikes, and in just a moment you’ll understand why. The magnificent Gorge Trail is unique in that it passes through 19 — yes, 19! — waterfalls in the span of just 2 miles. It’s the easiest way to see the most New York waterfalls in a single day.

The hike winds through a lush gorge, where you’ll walk across stone bridges and behind trickling waterfalls. The trail does feature a lot of steps, up to 800 of them, which may be an issue for anyone with knee problems. Other than the steps, though, the hike is considered relatively easy.

To get there, you’ll drive to Watkins Glen park and leave your car in the parking lot.

Tip: You’ll find Shequaga Falls, a rumbling waterfall located behind a small public park and residential neighborhood, just 7 minutes down the road. Consider taking a quick drive over after your hike!

>> Find the best car rental deals for your New York hiking trip

5. Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail

• Location: Ithaca, Finger Lakes
• Distance: 4 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

While Buttermilk Falls is easily accessible from a parking lot, the Gorge Trail takes you deep into the park past many other waterfalls and swimming holes. It’s a pleasant walk along the side of the gorge, transporting you to a one-of-a-kind environment of rock and lush greenery only found in the Finger Lakes.

The best way to see all of the park is to take the Gorge Trail (0.65 miles) to the Bear Trail (0.67 miles), and then loop into the Lake Treman Trail (1.3 miles). You can then return on the Gorge Trail the way you came in or take the Rim Trail down the other side. I highly recommend returning on the Gorge Trail to catch the beauty of the gorge once again.

6. Overlook Mountain

• Location: Woodstock, The Catskills
• Distance: 4.6 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Easy

The Overlook Mountain trail takes you on a steady incline over an old gravel road until you reach the summit. You’ll see old hotel ruins, a fire tower, a plane crash and scenic views along the way.

The ruins of Overlook Mountain House are a big attraction on this trail, as well as the fire tower on top of the mountain. You can climb the metal tower and get awesome views of the Hudson River, Ashokan Reservoir and the Catskill Mountains from up top.

The parking lot holds about 30 cars, but it quickly gets filled on summer weekends.

7. Ausable Chasm

• Location: Keeseville, New York
• Distance: 5 miles
• Route type: Several
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The beautiful Ausable Chasm is considered the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks.” (Not to be confused with Letchworth State Park, which is known as “the Grand Canyon of the East.”) It’s a stunning gorge featuring waterfalls, hiking trails and the powerful Ausable River.

There are 5 miles of hiking trails at Ausable Chasm with varying degrees of difficulty. Some trails feature narrow bridges and stairs to descend into the gorge, taking you up close to the majestic rock formations. Your admission price will give access to all three trails within the park, and all are worth doing.

You’ll also find rappelling, climbing, river rafting, tubing and a guided “adventure trail” featuring cable bridges, cargo nets and narrow rock ledges.

Moderate Hikes in Upstate New York

8. Labyrinth Trail

• Location:  New Paltz, Mohonk Preserve
• Distance: 1 mile
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Labyrinth Trail is located on the Mohonk Preserve, where you’ll also find the famous Mohonk Mountain House. The historic resort located outside the Catskills in the Hudson Valley offers a number of outdoor activities including awesome hikes like one.

For anyone who’s looking for an adventurous climb, the Labyrinth is a fun boulder scramble that takes you up to a lookout with views of six other states! The trail requires scrambling across and under boulders. You’ll also need to get through a portion of the trail called “lemon squeeze,” where a wood ladder takes you up a narrow passage to the Sky Top Lookout.

9. Anthony’s Nose

• Location: Garrison, Hudson Valley
• Distance: 1.9 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

Anthony’s Nose is a moderate Hudson Valley hike offering unique views of the Bear Mountain Bridge and surrounding Hudson Valley. This New York trail takes you through the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, a beautiful nature area known for bird watching.

While the hike is short, there’s an elevation gain of 675 feet. Still, it’s a relatively easy hike compared to longer ones on this list. Anyone in decent shape should be able to reach the top. Because of this and its location not too far from NYC, the trail can get quite crowded depending on when you go.

You can find the trailhead by typing “Anthony’s Nose” onto your Google Maps. The most common entrance can be found along New York State Route 9D, right after the Bear Mountain Bridge when coming from NYC. There’s no parking lot so you’ll leave your car on the shoulder of the road near the trailhead.

Tip: You can reach this hike by train from NYC! Take the Metro-North from Grand Central to Garrison (Hudson Line). It’s an eight-minute Uber or Lyft ride from the station to the trailhead.

10. Rim & Gorge Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park

• Location: Ithaca, Finger Lakes
• Distance: 4 miles
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

Robert H. Treman State Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Upstate New York, in my humble opinion. It’s located in Ithaca in an area known as the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes is overflowing with incredible waterfall hikes and this one of them.

There are two trails to do in Robert Treman: the Rim Trail and the Gorge Trail. The 2-mile Rim Trail will take you to the base of Lucifer Falls, one of the most incredible (and lesser-known) waterfalls in New York. The trail continues upward until you get an even more spectacular view of the falls from above.

You can then take the Gorge Trail down, which takes hikers through a deep, lush ravine with water rushing through it. Hands down, this was one of the most epic Upstate New York hikes I ever experienced. I was honestly blown away — speechless, even! — after this hike. I couldn’t believe that a place as beautiful and untouched as this existed in New York.

Tip: You can combine this hike with the Taughannock Falls and Buttermilk Falls hikes on this list for a full day of New York hiking.

11. Cascade Mountain Trail

• Location: Lake Placid, Adirondack Mountains
• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Cascade Mountain trail is the easiest among the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, making it a great place to start conquering Upstate New York’s tallest mountains. Still, the hike is considered to be challenging. With 1,940 feet of elevation gain, you’re guaranteed to have an epic 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks from the summit.

The hike can be steep in certain spots, but overall, it’s a relatively short trek to outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll come across a waterfall on the trail, as well as a junction with the trail to Porter Mountain at 2 miles. It’s an extra 0.8 mile to the summit, at an elevation 4,058 feet. It might be worth the extra trek to cross a second High Peak off your list!

12. Storm King Mountain Trail

• Location:  Cornwall, Hudson Valley
• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

The well-known Stone King Mountain Trail will take you to multiple ledges that give you a 360-degree view of the surrounding Hudson Valley. It’s a moderately difficult yet rewarding hike that takes you across not one but two mountains: Butter Hill (1,380 feet) and Storm King (1,340 feet).

You’ll find wonderful views of the surrounding area, including a clear view of Breakneck Ridge across the river. It’s a popular hiking spot not too far from NYC, so arriving early to avoid crowds is recommended.

13. The Whirlpool Rapids & Devil’s Hole Trail

• Location: Devil’s Hole State Park, Niagara Falls
• Distance: 5 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

The 300-foot deep, 7-mile long Niagara River Gorge is downstream of Niagara Falls itself. It’s easily one of the most stunning Upstate New York hikes on this list because of its proximity to the famous waterfall.

You can start your hike at Devil’s Hole State Park, near the main parking area. The trail immediately descends hundreds of steps to the bottom of the gorge. You’ll then follow the powerful Niagara River along the cliffs and through the trees.

You’ll reach a junction with the Whirlpool Rapids Trail, which will take you to a scenic viewpoint of the Whirlpool and rapids. You can go up the staircase in Whirlpool State Park and take the rim trail back to the Devil’s Hole parking lot.

14. Sam’s Point + VerkeerderKill Falls

• Location: Minnewaska State Park Preserve
• Distance: 6.2 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This hike at Minnewaska State Park Preserve has a little bit of everything: a waterfall,, some scrambling and even ice caves. Sam’s Point leads above striking cliffs with epic views of the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains. You can also visit the impressive 187-foot Verkeerderkill Falls, which you’ll view from the top.

You’ll come across a trail going to the ice caves, too, which were formed thousands of years ago from a glacier. Inside the caves, the trail encompasses stairs, ladders and wooden bridges that take you through the largest known exposed fault system in the United States. How crazy is that?! Even in the summer months, you’ll find a thick layer of ice within the caves.

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15. Poet’s Ledge

• Location: Palenville
• Distance: 6.4 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Poet’s Ledge hike is a scenic trail in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest. Featuring an elevation gain of 1,661 feet, hikers are then rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. 

The fall foliage can be particularly breathtaking on this trail. And the best part is that it’s a lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path trail. Keep an eye out for the many beautiful waterfalls on the trail, though they may be difficult to access.

Note: The walk from the parking lot to the trailhead is on a highway with no shoulder.

>> Find the best car rental deals for your road trip upstate 🙂

16. Jay Mountain Trail

• Location:  Keene Valley, Adirondack Mountains
• Distance: 6.9 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This Upstate New York hike takes you through beautiful forests and an open ridgeline that features several scenic viewpoints. The trail first leads to a lesser summit at 2.5 miles before taking hikers over an open ridgeline for an additional 1.5 miles to the 3,600 foot summit.

At times the trail might branch off into different directions, but the paths generally all lead to the same place. It’s helpful to look for the small rock piles that hikers have made atop the ridgeline and follow their footsteps. At the top, you’ll find views of Lake Champlain, Vermont, Whiteface Mountain and the High Peaks Wilderness.

17. Sleeping Beauty Mountain

• Location:  Fort Anne (Near Lake George)
• Distance: 5-7 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

Sleeping Beauty Mountain is a wonderful beginner Upstate New York hike. Located on the east side of Lake George, a popular lakeside vacation spot, the hike can vary between 5 and 7 miles depending on where you start.

The trail features slight inclines and rocky paths up the mountain. At the top, you’ll get a great view of Lake George. You’ll also see Crane Mountain to the west and Pico and Killington to the east from the summit.

To get there, you’ll either start at Hog Town Trailhead or the Dacy Clearing Trailhead, which is 1.5 miles down a dirt road. Note that this is a single-lane dirt road with many bumps!

18. Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain

• Location:  Oliverea, The Catskills
• Distance: 7.1 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The views from Giant Ledge are some of the best in the Catskill Mountains. This Upstate New York trail is incredible for fall foliage in autumn, and it’s also a great place to spot wildflowers in the spring. 

Considered one of the more pillar hiking trails in the Catskills, Giant Ledge features a series of open ledge views that are especially beautiful in the fall. You’ll come across a boulder field, a spring, a beautiful alpine forest and the Panther Mountain summit.

19. Gorge Trail at Letchworth State Park

• Location: Letchworth State Park, Portageville
• Distance: 14 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate

With over 66 miles of trails to choose from at Letchworth State Park, the Gorge Trail reigns as the most popular. The park is home to a deep gorge that’s known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”

The Gorge Trail follows the western rim of the gorge and features scenic overlooks, including three major waterfalls. The highlights of the trail include several viewpoints into the canyon, whose walls can reach 600 feet high. Inspiration Point, Wolf Creek, and the Tea Tables are three overlooks worth stopping at. The Upper, Lower and Middle falls are the other big attractions.

The trail features a quiet path through the woods, stone steps and sometimes ascends and descends. It’s important to exercise caution while hiking as the trail is often just a few feet from the edge. To get there, drive to the parking area near the Portageville entrance at the southern end of the park. Letchworth is located about six hours northwest of NYC.

Tip: Spring is the best time to see the waterfalls flowing at their strongest.

Difficult Hikes in Upstate New York

20. Breakneck Ridge Hike

• Location: Cold Spring, Hudson Valley
• Distance: 2.5 to 4 miles, depending on the route
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Hard

The Breakneck Ridge Hike is easily accessible from NYC, which makes it one of the most popular hikes in New York. Located along the Hudson River, between the charming cities of Beacon and Cold Spring, Breakneck Ridge is a mountain known for its steep, rocky trails and sweeping views of Hudson Valley.

The hike is unique in that it’s more of a climb than anything else. Most of the trail requires scrambling up vertical rocks — which is all part of the fun! It’s a strenuous endeavor but certainly doable. The views along the way are worth getting your hands dirty.

The Breakneck Ridge trailhead lies in front of a tunnel on State Road 9D, about 2 miles from the town of Cold Spring. You can drive there or take the Metro-North train from Grand Central to Cold Spring. You’re better off calling a cab from the station since Ubers can be difficult to find there. Read my full review of the hike here.

Tip: Arrive early! Since this hike is accessible by train from NYC, it can get very busy.

21. Gertrude’s Nose

• Location: Minnewaska State Park Preserve
• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Hard

Gertrude’s Nose is one of the most spectacular rock formations in the Shawangunk Mountains. Considered to be one of the best trails in the Hudson Valley, this epic Upstate New York hike is a long, strenuous loop along rugged terrain.

The trail takes you to one of the most picturesque viewpoints in the area, along cliff edges and unique rock formations. The cliffs you’ll see along the hike are already spectacular, but when you arrive at Gertrude’s Nose, you’ll be truly blown away. The cliff projects outward over the valley below, and the view can be especially breathtaking in the fall.

To get to the trailhead, enter Minnewaska State Park Preserve and drive to the upper parking lot.

22. Wittenberg Mountain

• Location: Phoenicia, The Catskills
• Distance: 8.5 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Hard

The treeless summit of the 3,780-foot Wittenberg Mountain gives you an unobstructed view over Ashokan Reservoir and the Catskill Mountains. It’s not an easy hike, with an elevation gain of around 2,500 feet. 

This challenging Upstate New York hike starts at the Woodland Valley Campgrounds and features steep climbs, streams and rock scrambling. When you finally reach the summit, you’ll be glad you endured the strenuous climb. Bring a packed lunch to enjoy on the ledge up top.

23. Whiteface Mountain

• Location: Wilmington, near Lake Placid
• Distance: 10 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Hard

Whiteface Mountain is the fifth highest peak in New York, and one of the prized Adirondack High Peaks. The summit sits at a tall 4,867 feet, and the hike itself requires a 3,578-foot elevation gain. The good news is that there’s a road that leads up to the summit, so there’s very little foot traffic on the trail itself.

Since we’d take a hike over a drive any day, the thrill here is to reach the summit on foot. The trail will take you past the summit of Marble Mountain and offers great views of Whiteface itself and neighboring Esther Mountain. At the top, you’ll find a stone castle and amazing views over Lake Placid.

The primary trailhead is the Wilmington Trail, starting at the  Atmosphere Science Research Center parking lot.

24. Indian Head

• Location: Keene Valley, Adirondack Mountains (near Lake Placid) 
• Distance: 11 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Hard

The Indian Head hike is one of the most unique hiking trails in Upstate New York. The 11-mile hike is a long, uphill trek through a wooded region in Keene Valley that leads to a viewpoint known as the“Fjords of the Adirondacks,” said to be reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord.

Mind-blowing, right? Imagine seeing a Norwegian fjord in New York state. You can also combine this hike with a stop at Rainbow Falls, a 150-foot waterfall that cascades down a gorge in the middle of the forest.

The Indian Head hike is located about 30 minutes from Lake Placid in Keene Valley, with an address of 24 Ausable Road on Google Maps. After turning onto the Ausable Road, you’ll see the main hiker’s lot on your immediate left.

You must leave your car there or park it on the side of the highway. The hike is located in the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, and non-members are not allowed to enter via car. Learn more about this New York hike here.

Tip: The parking lot fills up quickly so I advise you to arrive early!

25. Mount Marcy

• Location: Lake Placid, Adirondack Mountains
• Distance: 14.8 miles
• Route type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Hard 

Mount Marcy is the highest peak in New York with an elevation of 5,344 feet. There are 46 “High Peaks” in the Adirondack Mountains — peaks above 4,000 feet — and Marcy is the star of the show.

There are four main hikes that lead to Mount Marcy’s summit, but the most popular begins at the Adirondak Loj parking area, via the Van Hoevenberg Trail. This is also the shortest route up the mountain.

The hike involves a moderate to steep climb over varied terrain, with a total elevation gain of 3,166 feet. The trail is well maintained and very well marketed. Views are plentiful the whole way up.

Note: Due to the length of the hike and elevation gain, this Upstate New York hike should only be tackled by experienced hikers in relatively decent shape.