Trails

This route ends at the platform, not the lower pools. May–October roadside pull-off parking in Kaaterskill Clove is prohibited. Flash floods, cliff restrictions and slippery footing warrant staying on marked trails. Check posted hours before visiting.

Big Hudson Valley views for a short walk. The off-season approach from South Lake dam parking is about 2 mi, not this half-mile route. Stay back from exposed ledges.

A compact escarpment climb rather than a casual stroll. Wet leaves conceal rocks and roots. Routed drives to the lot: Leeds 36 min; Jefferson 56 min. Allow extra time for parking.

*DEC's 644 ft is not a complete cumulative round-trip gain; the return includes climbing. Unguarded cliffs. Approach through Tannersville if the steep eastern Platte Clove Road is closed or unsuitable. Check road and parking status.

Rocky, climbing woodland walk to a broad lake-and-mountain view. Do not confuse this route with longer North Mountain loops. Avoid ledges in ice or high wind. Check current access before visiting.

Expert tier here means a strenuous mountain day for experienced hikers, not technical climbing. Sustained steep terrain, early summit ice and limited daylight. Turn around if traction or conditions exceed your equipment and experience.

Strenuous intermediate / advanced. DEC's 1,494-ft ascent applies to the Escarpment segment, not clearly the entire outing. DEC reports the Elm Ridge–summit section reopened; still recheck before departure.

Beginner terrain only in calm conditions with cold-water preparation. No rental service or swimming authorization verified. Check before visiting. Stay close to shore and turn back as wind builds.

Rental dates, daily gate hours and exact day-use fee unverified: check before visiting. Lanesville to campground routed 21 min; internal launch travel extra. Swimming: DEC advises designated beaches only, unsupervised by lifeguards; prohibited 30 min before sunset through 30 min after sunrise. Not a fall swimming recommendation.

Tidal, not guaranteed flatwater: current, boat wakes and wind at the mouth. Inexperienced fall paddlers should book a guide or choose a lake. Do not drift onto the Hudson as an unplanned extension.

Expert tier reflects tide, wind, wakes and channel traffic, not a whitewater grade. No self-guided lighthouse or shipping-channel crossing is recommended. Reserve with an outfitter and let conditions determine route and duration.

This route ends at the platform, not the lower pools. May–October roadside pull-off parking in Kaaterskill Clove is prohibited. Flash floods, cliff restrictions and slippery footing warrant staying on marked trails. Check posted hours before visiting.

Big Hudson Valley views for a short walk. The off-season approach from South Lake dam parking is about 2 mi, not this half-mile route. Stay back from exposed ledges.

A compact escarpment climb rather than a casual stroll. Wet leaves conceal rocks and roots. Routed drives to the lot: Leeds 36 min; Jefferson 56 min. Allow extra time for parking.

*DEC's 644 ft is not a complete cumulative round-trip gain; the return includes climbing. Unguarded cliffs. Approach through Tannersville if the steep eastern Platte Clove Road is closed or unsuitable. Check road and parking status.

Rocky, climbing woodland walk to a broad lake-and-mountain view. Do not confuse this route with longer North Mountain loops. Avoid ledges in ice or high wind. Check current access before visiting.

Expert tier here means a strenuous mountain day for experienced hikers, not technical climbing. Sustained steep terrain, early summit ice and limited daylight. Turn around if traction or conditions exceed your equipment and experience.

Very steep upper climb. *Distance/gain describe a summit-area loop in the supplementary route guide, not DEC measurements. Tower/cab opening not verified; check before visiting. Allow a full hiking day.

Strenuous intermediate / advanced outing: less steep than Becker Hollow, but long and high. DEC describes the route as moderately difficult. Cab access is not guaranteed. Finish well before darkness.

Beginner-plus: a natural forest trail with uneven footing, not an accessible promenade. Enjoy the waterfall from the trail; swimming permission was not verified. Free, year-round recreation; check trail conditions.

Beginner terrain only in calm conditions with cold-water preparation. No rental service or swimming authorization verified. Check before visiting. Stay close to shore and turn back as wind builds.

Rental dates, daily gate hours and exact day-use fee unverified: check before visiting. Lanesville to campground routed 21 min; internal launch travel extra. Swimming: DEC advises designated beaches only, unsupervised by lifeguards; prohibited 30 min before sunset through 30 min after sunrise. Not a fall swimming recommendation.

This route ends at the platform, not the lower pools. May–October roadside pull-off parking in Kaaterskill Clove is prohibited. Flash floods, cliff restrictions and slippery footing warrant staying on marked trails. Check posted hours before visiting.

Big Hudson Valley views for a short walk. The off-season approach from South Lake dam parking is about 2 mi, not this half-mile route. Stay back from exposed ledges.

A compact escarpment climb rather than a casual stroll. Wet leaves conceal rocks and roots. Routed drives to the lot: Leeds 36 min; Jefferson 56 min. Allow extra time for parking.

*DEC's 644 ft is not a complete cumulative round-trip gain; the return includes climbing. Unguarded cliffs. Approach through Tannersville if the steep eastern Platte Clove Road is closed or unsuitable. Check road and parking status.

Rocky, climbing woodland walk to a broad lake-and-mountain view. Do not confuse this route with longer North Mountain loops. Avoid ledges in ice or high wind. Check current access before visiting.

Expert tier here means a strenuous mountain day for experienced hikers, not technical climbing. Sustained steep terrain, early summit ice and limited daylight. Turn around if traction or conditions exceed your equipment and experience.

Very steep upper climb. *Distance/gain describe a summit-area loop in the supplementary route guide, not DEC measurements. Tower/cab opening not verified; check before visiting. Allow a full hiking day.

Strenuous intermediate / advanced outing: less steep than Becker Hollow, but long and high. DEC describes the route as moderately difficult. Cab access is not guaranteed. Finish well before darkness.

Beginner-plus: a natural forest trail with uneven footing, not an accessible promenade. Enjoy the waterfall from the trail; swimming permission was not verified. Free, year-round recreation; check trail conditions.

Beginner terrain only in calm conditions with cold-water preparation. No rental service or swimming authorization verified. Check before visiting. Stay close to shore and turn back as wind builds.

Rental dates, daily gate hours and exact day-use fee unverified: check before visiting. Lanesville to campground routed 21 min; internal launch travel extra. Swimming: DEC advises designated beaches only, unsupervised by lifeguards; prohibited 30 min before sunset through 30 min after sunrise. Not a fall swimming recommendation.

A compact escarpment climb rather than a casual stroll. Wet leaves conceal rocks and roots. Routed drives to the lot: Leeds 36 min; Jefferson 56 min. Allow extra time for parking.

Expert tier here means a strenuous mountain day for experienced hikers, not technical climbing. Sustained steep terrain, early summit ice and limited daylight. Turn around if traction or conditions exceed your equipment and experience.

Distance is an outing suggestion, not an agency-measured route. Viewing platforms and accessible facilities do not make every shoreline path accessible. Bring bright clothing in hunting season. Daily hours unverified: check before visiting.

Use overlooks for the easier visit. The trail toward the lower falls adds slope and slippery footing, so it is not equivalent in difficulty. Main park routed about 10 min from Jefferson; allow extra travel to the separate falls lot. No swimming recommendation.

A steady uphill road walk sharing space with vehicles when the road is open. Do not park in or block private drives. The routing service led toward the summit, so no verified trailhead drive time is claimed.

Strenuous intermediate / advanced. DEC's 1,494-ft ascent applies to the Escarpment segment, not clearly the entire outing. DEC reports the Elm Ridge–summit section reopened; still recheck before departure.

Best small-water candidate from Jefferson in calm weather. Not an NYC reservoir, so the Schoharie Reservoir DEP permit process does not apply. Swimming permission not verified. Cold-water gear remains necessary.

About 10 min to park from Jefferson, extra to launch. Rentals advertised for summer only: fall rentals unverified, check before visiting. Not an outing for after October 15 under the published schedule. Wind, motorboats and operational restrictions matter.

Removing the boat from reservoir property means another steam cleaning before return. No vehicle/trailer in water. Confirm launch-specific access and cleaning appointment. Fall rental availability unverified; CWC lists vendors. Open water can be too windy for beginners. No reservoir swimming.