Photo by William Hertz. 
Photo by Jonathan Simcoe.
If you haven’t hiked Bonticou Crag yet, make this your year. It’s wildly popular with people who don’t rock climb with ropes and pitons but still enjoy a little adventure in their hike. It starts gently, becomes a rock scramble that’s just tough enough but not terrifying, and leads to superb views of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. At just 2.3 miles, it’s some of the best fun you can have in the mountains in about 2 hours, which allows some time for gazing and photos at the summit.
Be warned, this isn’t a hike for small children or people with mobility challenges. Getting to the top means 20 minutes of using both your hands and feet on what’s rated as Mohonk Preserve’s toughest rock scramble. Older kids and fully able adults will conquer it without much trouble, leading to a feeling of accomplishment that pairs perfectly with the view.
Bring water (that scrambling stuff is thirsty work!) and postpone if there are any thunderstorms in the forecast. Standing at the summit, you’ll be the highest point any lightning strike will find.
gear up
It’s a good idea to approach this one with decent footgear and the right day pack or bag. Happily, you’re not far from sources of such things. From the New Paltz side, try Pitch Pine Outfitters in Gardiner, where veteran Gunks explorers will know exactly what you need. If you’re up in the Great Northern Cats, stop in at Camp Catskill in Tannersville for gear and local wisdom. You can also hit Montano’s in Saugerties for professionally fitted footgear, or Kenco Outfitters—just west of Kingston on Route 28—where they’ll have anything you need.
the hike
Park at Mohonk Preserve’s Spring Farm Trailhead at 50 Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls. From the New Paltz side, you’ll find your turn on the right, 1 mile past the entrance to Mohonk Mountain House. From Kingston or Rosendale, take 213 west to Mohonk Road; 27 Knolls will be on your left in just under 4 miles. Parking fills up fast on lovely summer weekends, so get there early.
Head north from your car along Farm Road, and you’ll find the clearly red-blazed Crag Trail on your right. Take it past its crossings over Cedar Drive and Spring Farm Road.
You’ll soon come to a five-way intersection with a pond directly ahead. Take a left onto Bonticou Road, then bear right as it takes
Photo by Tom A.
You’re heading upward through a talus pile, the rocks that accumulate at the base of a cliff. Be sure to look for and follow the yellow-blazed rocks to stay on track. They’ll lead you onward and upward to the climb-able notch in the cliff face that takes you to the top.
Some prefer to climb back down the way they climbed up, but the descent’s a bit more of a challenge than the ascent. Happily, you have a handy alternative. Follow the yellow blazes north along the ridge about half a mile, then take the Northeast Trail (blazed in blue) to your left. It’s steep but manageable, even if you need to grab a root or a boulder here and there.
You’ll pass through a small ravine; when the trail begins to rise again, you’ll see the red-blazed Cedar Trail on your right. Past Cedar Drive, Cedar Trail will dead-end; take a left onto Table Rocks Trail (more blue blazes) and you’ll soon be back at the parking lot.
Time to go grab a bite to eat and (if it’s your thing) post your jaw-dropping photos from the summit! Check our summer dining and picnic planning guides for great local options.
For more info: 845-255-0919, mohonkpreserve.org
Photo by Vadim Matskevich.
Outdoors
watch our bonticou video here:
VISITvortex.com visitvortex.com/storefront/bonticou-crag-hike
