Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Burroughs Range Loop, Catskill Mountain Preserve, NY
Scramble to the Catskills' highest peaks.
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Get a sample of every Catskills highlight on the 9.8-mile Burroughs Range Trail. “It has multiple sweeping viewpoints, challenging terrain, and the chance to summit three high peaks,” says Debbie Melita. “This trail has it all.” You’ll gain 2,000 feet in the first four miles as you rise through pine-scented groves to a craggy ridge that leads to a trio of peaks: Wittenberg (3,790 feet), Cornell (3,870 feet), and Slide (the range’s highest at 4,190 feet). Scramble a series of wide ledges (some with ladder rungs bolted into the rock face) to Slide’s summit, then link the Burroughs Range and Phoenicia-East Trails (an old fire road) for a 16-mile loop.
PLAN IT
Driving From Phoenicia, take Bridge St. to High St.; turn left. In one mile, go straight on Woodland Valley Rd.; park in five miles at the trailhead ($6).
Map and Guide AMC’s Catskill Mountain Guide ($24, outdoors.org, includes maps)
Contact (845) 256-3013, dec.ny.gov