Hiking Recommendations

See map with trails, parking, and viewpoint information - in this map, all the hike suggestions are listed on the left under separate headings. Click on any feature to zoom to it on the map (i.e. for the Twin Mtn hike, you could click on the “Twin Mtn Route” entry to zoom to the trail route.)

Twin Mtn (Catskills)

Twin Mtn is one of the Catskill 3500 peaks and has one of the top 5 views in the Catskills.

  • Start at Prediger Road Parking area Google Maps link
    • This is a pretty large parking area, but probably should aim to arrive before 9 AM
  • Hike is ~4.5 mi round trip with ~1600 ft elevation gain
  • (You’d have to add an extra mile traverse along the top to the main Twin summit to count the hike towards the Catskills 3500 Club tally)

Twin Mtn View map (see link at top of page for interactive map)

Mini view in Jimmy Dolan Notch at ~1.9 mi

Mini view over towards Indian Head Mtn at ~2.1 mi

Main view area near East Twin summit

Main view area near East Twin summit

Panorama from the main view

Sugarloaf (Catskills)

Sugarloaf is another one of the Catskill 3500 peaks and the loop from Roaring Kill hits a variety of sights: quarries, a pond, a high peak, and a nice overlook.

  • Start at Roaring Kill Parking area Google Maps link
    • This is a pretty large parking area and is typically not too busy
  • Hike is ~6.3 mi loop with ~2100 ft elevation gain

Sugarloaf Loop Map (see link at top of page for interactive map)

Dibble’s Quarry at ~0.9 mi

Dibble’s Quarry at ~0.9 mi

Dibble’s Quarry at ~0.9 mi

Pond at ~1.5 mi

Main Sugarloaf view area

Main Sugarloaf view

West Mtn (Harriman)

West Mtn is in Harriman State Park.

  • Start at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area Parking Google Maps link
    • This is an absurdly large parking area; I have no idea what would have to be happening in the area to fill this up.
  • Hike can be a ~4, 5, or 6 mi loop with ~800-1400 ft elevation gain

West Mtn Loops Map (see link at top of page for interactive map)

One of many views along West Mtn ridge

View from near Cat’s Elbow - Hudson River in the distance

Beacon Fire Tower (Hudson Highlands)

The Beacon Fire Tower is in the Hudson Highlands State Park right on the edge of the town of Beacon.

  • Start at Mount Beacon Trailhead Parking Google Maps link
    • This is a pretty large parking area, but probably should aim to arrive before 9 AM
  • Hike is ~4 mi loop with ~1400 ft elevation gain

This hike route first arrives at the ruins of the incline railway powerhouse, immediately adjacent to the former sites of the Beacon Crest Hotel and Mountain Top Casino with very nice views of the Hudson over Beacon. From there, you can move on to the fire tower, which gives more expansive 360 degree views.

Beacon Fire Tower Map (see link at top of page for interactive map)

Ruins of incline railway powerhouse

Inside the incline railway powerhouse

View over the Hudson

Old post card

Fire tower

A view from the fire tower

Mt Tammany (Delaware Water Gap)

Mt Tammany is in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on NJ-PA border. Mt Tammany is not quite the highest peak in NJ (which is the nearby High Point), but the hike does have the greatest elevation gain in NJ.

  • Start at one of three parking areas Google Maps link
    • There are three parking options, but the hike is very popular, so best to arrive before 9 AM to be able to park without issues.
  • Hike is ~3.5 mi loop with ~1250 ft elevation gain

Mt Tammany Loop Map (see link at top of page for interactive map)

Lower view from Mt Tammany

Main view from Mt Tammany

Pretty creek rapids area on back of descent