Best Hiking Near Saugerties, NY

One of Saugerties' biggest selling points is its proximity to the Catskill Mountains. Within 30 minutes of the village center, you can be standing at the base of New York's highest waterfall or on a summit with views stretching across four states. Here are the trails worth knowing.

Kaaterskill Falls (Palenville / Haines Falls)

Distance from Saugerties: ~25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Why Go: At 260 feet, Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in New York State. The main viewing platform is accessible via a 0.8-mile trail from the Laurel House Road trailhead — a reasonable walk for most visitors. For a longer experience, continue up the North-South Lake trail system.

Best time to visit: Spring (high water flow) or fall (foliage).

North-South Lake Campground Trails

Distance from Saugerties: ~30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous (multiple trails)
Why Go: This is the heart of the Catskill Park trail network. From the North-South Lake area you can access Artist Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman's Ledge, and the escarpment trail with iconic views. The Hudson River School painters worked these exact ridgelines — the views are legitimately spectacular.

Overlook Mountain (Woodstock)

Distance from Saugerties: ~20 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Why Go: The 5-mile round trip to the Overlook Mountain summit passes a ruined 1920s resort hotel and ends at a fire tower with 360-degree views. It's one of the most popular Catskill hikes and deservedly so.

Note: The trailhead parking lot fills early on summer weekends. Go before 9am.

Plattekill Mountain

Distance from Saugerties: ~35 minutes
Difficulty: Strenuous
Why Go: Less crowded than some neighboring peaks, Plattekill offers serious elevation gain and solitude. Views from the summit look across the Hudson Valley toward the Shawangunks and Taconic Range.

The Saugerties Lighthouse Trail

Distance from Saugerties: In town
Difficulty: Easy
Why Go: Not a mountain trail, but the lighthouse walk through the Esopus Creek nature preserve is one of the best easy walks in the Hudson Valley. Flat, scenic, family-friendly, and uniquely beautiful.

Practical Notes for Catskill Hiking

• Parking fees apply at some DEC trailheads
• Bears are present — store food properly and make noise on the trail
• Ticks are common — check thoroughly after any hike
• Weather changes fast at elevation — bring layers even in summer
• No dogs on some Catskill trails — check signs at trailheads

Staying in Saugerties for your hike? Browse local lodging options and restaurants for refueling after the trail.