It’s no secret that autumn on the East Coast is one of the most beautiful times to visit. The Catskill mountains are no exception, and between the changing autumn leaves and the many hiking trails, there’s a huge number of ways you can experience everything autumn in the Catskills at its very best. Located only 2 hours from Manhattan, the Emerson Resort & Spa will make you feel right at home during your autumn excursion to the Catskills. From our on-site spa to the wide variety of rooms to choose from in our Lodge and Inn, you’ll feel right at home during your autumn trip to the Catskills.
One of the best ways to experience the extensive and beautiful fall foliage in the Catskills is to hike one of the many trails in the area. Hitting the trails is the most immersive way to truly see the fall foliage in the area, and while there are tons of trails in the area, these are the three that will give you the best view of the foliage so that you can experience autumn in the Catskills at its very finest.
Easy: Esopus Creek and Ashokan Reservoir
If you’re looking for a great, easy walk in the woods that will allow you to experience the fall foliage of the Catskills, no matter what your hiking skill level, then the Esopus Creek and Ashokan Reservoir trail is for you. This Catskills hiking trail is rated easy, and while it is 5.4 miles long, it only gains just over 300 feet in elevation. The trail is also known to be lightly trafficked, which means you’ll likely be able to have everything autumn has to offer all to yourself.
Moderate: Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail
To get in a little more of an extensive Catskills hiking experience, definitely check out the Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail. This trail is known for being heavily trafficked and dog-friendly and is rated moderate, so it’s a good middle ground if you’re trying to improve your hiking skills. The Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail is 6.3 miles long and gains just over 1,000 feet in elevation, allowing you to get above the ground a little bit and enjoy the foliage from above.
Hard: Mount Tremper Trail
For the advanced hikers out there, the Mount Tremper Trail is the perfect strenuous trail to experience the fall foliage of the Catskills mountains. While this Catskills hiking trail is only a 5.9 mile out and back trail, it does gain over 2,000 feet in elevation overall. This is known for being moderately trafficked, so while you might see some people on the trail with you, you won’t have a huge crowd hiking alongside you. This is also a dog-friendly trail, so expect a few furry friends out enjoying the cooler weather as well.
Awe-Inspiring Catskills Hiking
While there are many ways to experience the Catskills during autumn, Catskills hiking is truly the best way to see the fall foliage and get outside. When you stay at the Emerson Resort & Spa, you’ll be central to many of the popular Catskills hiking trails, allowing you to hike all of the trails you want and more during your Catskills autumn excursion. From climbing through the Catskills foliage to enjoying a nice easy walk in the woods, there truly is a hike for every type of traveler. When you visit the Catskills, it’s incredibly easy to see as much of the natural landscape of the Catskills as possible whenever you decide to get outside for some Catskills hiking this autumn.
All information is subject to change without notice. Please refer to individual websites for the most current information prior to your visit.