There is a reason the Catskill Mountains have drawn hikers, artists, and wanderers for more than two centuries. The trails that wind through these ancient peaks offer something rare — that feeling of stepping into a landscape that is both wild and deeply familiar. From the front door of The Cedar Stock Cabin, you are minutes from some of the finest hiking in New York State, with routes that range from gentle rail trails along sparkling reservoirs to strenuous climbs up the highest peak in the Catskills. Whatever your pace, whatever your mood, there is a trail here that will meet you exactly where you are.
Overlook Mountain Trail
If you hike only one trail during your stay, make it Overlook Mountain. The trailhead sits just a few minutes from the cabin, at the end of Meads Mountain Road in Woodstock, and the 2.9-mile climb to the summit is the quintessential Catskills experience. The trail follows an old carriage road — wide, steady, and relentless in its uphill grade. It is not technical, but it earns its moderate rating through sustained elevation gain that will get your heart pumping.
About two-thirds of the way up, you will pass the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House, a crumbling grand hotel from the 1870s that nature is slowly reclaiming. The concrete skeleton draped in graffiti and moss is hauntingly beautiful and worth a pause. Press on to the summit and you will find the restored fire tower — climb all 60 feet to the top and the reward is a 360-degree panorama that stretches from the Hudson River Valley to the distant Berkshires. On a clear day, the views are genuinely breathtaking. Plan roughly three to four hours for the round trip, and start early on weekends when the parking lot fills quickly.
Kaaterskill Falls
Just twenty-five minutes from the cabin, Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the entire Northeast. At 260 feet in two cascading tiers, it is the tallest multi-stage waterfall in New York and has been inspiring painters and poets since Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School put it on canvas in the early 1800s.
The hike to the upper viewing platform is short — just 0.4 miles from the Laurel House Road trailhead — but the stone steps can be steep and slippery, especially after rain. The trail has been significantly improved in recent years with stone staircases and viewing platforms that make the falls accessible while protecting the fragile landscape. Arrive in spring or after heavy rainfall to see the falls at their most dramatic, with water thundering over the ledge into the amphitheater below. Summer brings a gentler flow but also the chance to cool off in the mist. Note that the parking area has limited capacity, and on peak weekends in summer and fall, arriving before 9 AM is strongly recommended.
Ashokan Rail Trail
For those who prefer their nature walks flat and meditative, the Ashokan Rail Trail is a gift. This 11.5-mile paved and crushed-stone path follows the northern shore of the Ashokan Reservoir, offering wide-open views across the water to the Catskill high peaks beyond. It is perfect for walking, jogging, or cycling, and the gentle grade makes it accessible to everyone — families with strollers, older hikers, and anyone who simply wants a long, peaceful stroll without scrambling over rocks.
The light on the reservoir is extraordinary, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon when the mountains reflect in the still water. Multiple access points along Route 28A let you choose your distance, and benches along the way invite you to sit and take in the quiet. It is the kind of trail that reminds you that not every hike needs to be a conquest — sometimes the best thing you can do is simply walk and look.
Huckleberry Point
Huckleberry Point is one of those trails that feels like a local secret, even though it has been drawing hikers for years. The 3-mile round trip is rated moderate, with a steady climb through mixed hardwood forest that opens suddenly onto a massive rock ledge with panoramic views of the Catskill escarpment, Kaaterskill Clove, and the Hudson Valley beyond. It is one of the finest viewpoints in the entire range, and on a clear day the depth of the view — layer after layer of blue ridgelines receding into the distance — is mesmerizing.
The trail starts from the Platte Clove Road trailhead, about thirty minutes from the cabin. The route is well-marked but can be muddy in spring. Bring a packed lunch and plan to spend some time on the ledge — this is not a summit you want to rush. Fall is particularly spectacular here, when the entire valley below ignites with color and you feel as though you are sitting on the edge of the world.
Slide Mountain
For experienced hikers looking for a challenge, Slide Mountain is the crown jewel. At 4,180 feet, it is the highest peak in the Catskills and the anchor of a rugged wilderness that feels worlds away from the gentler hills closer to Woodstock. The most popular route is the 5.7-mile round trip from the Slide Mountain trailhead off Oliverea Road, roughly fifty minutes from the cabin.
The trail climbs steadily through dense spruce-fir forest — a boreal ecosystem more commonly associated with northern New England or southern Canada. Near the summit, the air changes, carrying the sharp scent of balsam fir, and the forest floor is carpeted in thick green moss. A memorial plaque near the top honors the naturalist John Burroughs, who loved this mountain deeply. The views from the summit ledge are limited by the tree canopy, but the sense of wildness and accomplishment is immense. This is a full-day hike that demands proper footwear, layers, and plenty of water.
Tips for Hiking from the Cabin
Timing and Parking
The most popular trailheads — Overlook Mountain and Kaaterskill Falls in particular — fill up fast on weekends from Memorial Day through October. Starting your hike before 8 AM almost guarantees a parking spot and a quieter trail. Midweek hiking is the best-kept secret in the Catskills; you will often have the trails nearly to yourself on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
What to Bring
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots — the Catskills trails are rocky and can be muddy, even in summer
- Plenty of water — at least two liters per person for longer hikes like Slide Mountain
- Layers — mountain weather shifts quickly, and summits are often 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the valleys
- A trail map or downloaded GPS route — cell service is spotty on most trails
- Snacks and a packed lunch for longer hikes — there are no services on the trails
- Bug spray in summer — the Catskills can be buggy, especially at lower elevations
After the Hike
One of the great pleasures of staying at The Cedar Stock Cabin is what comes after the hike. Fire up the outdoor sauna and let the heat soak into tired muscles. Settle into the Adirondack chairs on the deck with a cold drink and watch the light change on the mountains. Cook dinner in the full kitchen with ingredients from a local farm stand. Or, if you would rather someone else do the cooking, head into Woodstock for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants just minutes away. However you end your day on the trails, the cabin is waiting.