Upstate New York offers some of the most rewarding fall hiking in the eastern United States, spanning four genuinely distinct regions: the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, the Adirondacks, and the Finger Lakes. Each region peaks at a different point in the fall calendar, and each delivers a different style of foliage hike — from gentle gorge walks past dozens of waterfalls to strenuous ridge climbs with 360-degree fire tower views.
This guide covers 10 of the best fall hikes in upstate New York, organized by region, with trail distances, difficulty notes, and timing guidance to help plan a trip around peak foliage. “Upstate” is used here in its broadest sense — anywhere north of New York City.
When to Hike for Fall Foliage in New York
Peak foliage timing varies significantly by latitude and elevation across New York State. The general rule: the further north and higher in elevation you go, the earlier the leaves turn. Foliage in the Catskills typically runs 2 to 3 weeks behind the northern Adirondacks, particularly the High Peaks Wilderness area.
| Region | Typical Peak Window | Notes |
| Adirondacks (High Peaks) | Late September – early October | Earliest peak in the state; highest elevation |
| Catskills | Early–mid October | 2–3 weeks behind the Adirondacks |
| Hudson Valley | Mid–late October | Latest peak among the regions covered here |
| Finger Lakes | Early–mid October | Similar timing to the Catskills |
Exact timing shifts year to year based on temperature and rainfall — checking an annual fall foliage tracker closer to your trip date is worthwhile. A strong strategy for a multi-week fall trip: visit the Adirondacks earlier in the season, then move to the Catskills and Hudson Valley as the season progresses, following peak color south as it descends through the state.
Best Fall Hikes in Upstate New York: Quick Comparison
| Trail | Region | Distance | Elevation Gain | Difficulty |
| Elk Pen Loop | Hudson Valley | 7.5 mi | Moderate | |
| Shawangunk Ridge Trail / Red Trail Loop | Hudson Valley | 3 mi | Easy–moderate | |
| Sam’s Point & Verkeerderkill Falls | Hudson Valley | 8.6 mi | ~1,000 ft | |
| Kaaterskill Falls | Catskills | Varies by route | Varies | |
| Hunter Mountain (Spruceton Horse Trail) | Catskills | 9.1 mi | Significant | |
| Bald Mountain / Rondaxe Fire Tower | Adirondacks | 1.8 mi | 410 ft | |
| Blue Mountain Fire Tower | Adirondacks | 4.8 mi | 1,500+ ft | |
| Jay Mountain | Adirondacks | 8.7 mi | 2,500+ ft | |
| Gorge Trail, Watkins Glen | Finger Lakes | 1.9–4.2 mi | Minimal | |
| Gorge Trail, Taughannock Falls | Finger Lakes | 1.8 mi | Flat |
Hudson Valley Fall Hikes
Elk Pen Loop, Harriman State Park
Elk Pen Loop is one of the strongest fall foliage showcases in Harriman State Park, a 7.5-mile route that includes a stretch of the Appalachian Trail and passes through the “Lemon Squeezer” — two large rocks the trail threads directly between. Beyond the canopy turning color, the understory shrubs along this trail turn vivid red and yellow, creating color from ground level up rather than only overhead. The route includes several distinct viewpoints across the loop. As one of the best fall hikes within easy reach of New York City, Elk Pen Loop is a strong choice for a day trip without a long drive.
Shawangunk Ridge Trail and Red Trail Loop, Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
This 3-mile round trip in the lesser-visited Shawangunk Ridge State Forest delivers strong fall color with noticeably smaller crowds than nearby Minnewaska State Park. The trail starts in forest, threads through a small rock “canyon,” then climbs onto an open ridge with views extending to the Catskills on clear days. Shrubs along the ridge turn bright red in fall, adding color at the trail’s most exposed and scenic section. The trailhead parking is limited — arrive early, particularly on weekends.
Sam’s Point and Verkeerderkill Falls, Minnewaska State Park Preserve
This 8.6-mile round trip with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain follows exposed stone ridges through twisted pitch pines, with a view of Verkeerderkill Falls along the route (the falls themselves sit on private property, so stay on the marked trail and respect posted signage). Due to its popularity in fall, a reservation is required to park at the Sam’s Point area during the season — book through Reserve America for New York State Parks before your visit.
Catskills Fall Hikes
Kaaterskill Falls, Haines Falls
Kaaterskill Falls is the most visited fall hiking destination in the Catskills, and the falls themselves — framed by yellow autumn leaves along the trail — justify the popularity. Several access routes exist: the main Laurel Hill Road parking lot is closest but fills quickly and has no nearby overflow parking (the surrounding town strictly enforces no roadside parking). Alternative starting points include North-South Lake State Park’s Escarpment Trailhead, the Scutt Hill Road lot, and the Kaaterskill Rail Trail lot, each offering a different route length and difficulty to the falls. Hiking down to the base of the falls — involving a number of steps — is worth the extra effort to appreciate the waterfall’s full scale.
Hunter Mountain, Hunter
Hunter Mountain offers one of the most rewarding payoffs in the Catskills: a fire tower at the summit with 360-degree views across the entire range. Two main routes reach the top, starting from opposite sides of the mountain. The Spruceton Horse Trail route, at 9.1 miles, is longer than the alternative but offers a more gradual climb and considerably less foot traffic. Hunter Mountain and Kaaterskill Falls are close enough to combine into a single ambitious day for hikers wanting both stops.
Adirondacks Fall Hikes
Bald Mountain (Rondaxe Fire Tower), Fulton Chain Wild Forest
At just 1.8 miles round trip with 410 feet of elevation gain, Bald Mountain is one of the most accessible fire tower hikes in the Adirondacks, making it an excellent option for shorter trips or hikers with limited time. The fire tower at the summit delivers genuinely impressive valley and lake views relative to the minimal effort required — a strong ratio of reward to distance. Early October visits reward hikers with a full spectrum of fall color across the surrounding valley.
Blue Mountain Fire Tower
Blue Mountain offers a longer, more demanding climb at 4.8 miles round trip with over 1,500 feet of elevation gain, weaving through forest and across rock slabs en route to a tall fire tower with views of Blue Mountain Lake and Lake Durant. The trail looks genuinely different across seasons — fall foliage views from the tower are considered some of the best in the immediate region. The parking lot is moderately sized; arriving early is recommended to secure a spot, particularly during peak fall weekends.
Jay Mountain
Jay Mountain is a more serious undertaking at 8.7 miles round trip with over 2,500 feet of elevation gain, following a ridge with multiple exposed viewpoints showcasing fall color from height. A sunrise start is genuinely worth the early wake-up, with the morning light adding color saturation to an already vivid foliage display along the ridge.
Finger Lakes Fall Hikes
Gorge Trail, Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen is one of the most photographed fall hiking destinations in New York, with a trail literally carved into the stone walls of a waterfall-filled canyon. The core Gorge Trail runs 1.9 miles round trip, with an optional loop extension via a forest trail bringing the full route to 4.2 miles. The trail passes 19 separate waterfalls, with fallen leaves drifting through the water along the way — a genuinely distinctive fall hiking experience unlike anything else on this list.
Gorge Trail, Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls is a 215-foot single-drop waterfall — taller than Niagara Falls — that becomes especially striking in fall when the surrounding trees turn bright yellow against the white shale cliffs. The Gorge Trail into the canyon is 1.8 miles, completely flat, and ends at the base of the falls, making it one of the easiest high-reward hikes on this list for visitors wanting maximum scenery with minimal physical effort.
Fall Hiking Gear Checklist
- The Ten Essentials: water, snacks, map, sunscreen, rain gear (jacket or pack cover), first aid kit, headlamp, repair kit (knife and tape), fire starter (matches), and an emergency shelter (emergency blanket)
- Gloves and hand warmers — temperatures at elevation and during early morning starts can be noticeably colder than valley floor conditions, particularly later in fall
- Sturdy hiking shoes with good tread — fallen wet leaves on rock and stone steps create a genuinely slippery surface, especially on exposed sections like Gertrude’s Nose or the Watkins Glen stone walkways
- Bug spray — still relevant in early fall before the first hard frost
- Trail snacks sufficient for the full distance, particularly on the longer Adirondacks and Catskills routes covered here
For more Hudson Valley hiking options near NYC, see our guide to the best fall hikes near NYC.
For current trail conditions and Sam’s Point parking reservations, see New York State Parks Reserve America.
Choosing the Right Fall Hike for Your Skill Level
First-time fall hikers or those wanting a low-commitment day should start with the easiest options on this list: Taughannock Falls Gorge Trail and Watkins Glen Gorge Trail are both flat or nearly flat, deliver outsized scenic reward for the distance, and require no technical hiking experience. Bald Mountain’s Rondaxe Fire Tower hike adds a modest 410 feet of climbing to a similarly short distance, making it the easiest fire tower payoff on this list for hikers wanting elevated views without a serious climb.
Intermediate hikers comfortable with several miles and moderate elevation gain should look at Shawangunk Ridge Trail, Elk Pen Loop, and Blue Mountain — all deliver strong fall color and worthwhile viewpoints without venturing into truly strenuous mileage or climbing totals. Sam’s Point & Verkeerderkill Falls sits at the upper end of this tier given its 1,000 feet of gain over 8.6 miles.
Experienced hikers seeking a full-day challenge should target Hunter Mountain via the Spruceton Horse Trail or Jay Mountain, both exceeding 8 miles with significant elevation gain. These two routes reward the effort with genuinely the best panoramic views on this list, but should not be underestimated — proper footwear, an early start, and the full Ten Essentials kit matter more on these longer, more remote routes than on the shorter trails closer to trailhead parking.
Avoiding Crowds During Peak Fall Foliage Season
Fall weekends at the most popular destinations on this list — Kaaterskill Falls, Watkins Glen, and Sam’s Point in particular — see significant crowding, with parking lots filling within the first hour of opening on the best foliage weekends. A handful of practical strategies meaningfully reduce this friction: hiking on a weekday rather than a weekend whenever possible; arriving at or before trailhead opening time, particularly for the smaller lots at Sam’s Point and Shawangunk Ridge State Forest; and considering the less-visited alternatives on this list, such as Shawangunk Ridge Trail or Bald Mountain, which deliver comparable fall scenery with a fraction of the foot traffic found at the marquee destinations.
Related Guides
See also: Minnewaska State Park Preserve guide.
Source: AllTrails upstate New York hikes.
Bottom Line
| Best easy hike overall | Gorge Trail, Taughannock Falls — 1.8 mi, flat, 215-ft waterfall |
| Best waterfall-dense hike | Gorge Trail, Watkins Glen — 19 waterfalls along 1.9–4.2 mi |
| Best fire tower views (easy) | Bald Mountain / Rondaxe Fire Tower — 1.8 mi, 410 ft gain |
| Best fire tower views (moderate) | Blue Mountain — 4.8 mi, 1,500+ ft gain |
| Best strenuous ridge hike | Jay Mountain — 8.7 mi, 2,500+ ft gain; best at sunrise |
| Best near NYC | Elk Pen Loop, Harriman State Park — 7.5 mi |
| Least crowded | Shawangunk Ridge Trail / Red Trail Loop — 3 mi |
| Most popular waterfall hike | Kaaterskill Falls — multiple route options, arrive early |
| Earliest peak foliage | Adirondacks High Peaks — late Sept to early Oct |
| Latest peak foliage | Hudson Valley — mid to late October |
| Sam’s Point parking note | Reservation required in fall via Reserve America |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to see fall leaves in upstate New York?
Peak foliage timing depends heavily on how far north and how high in elevation you travel. The Adirondacks, particularly the High Peaks Wilderness, typically peak in late September to early October. The Catskills run 2 to 3 weeks behind, usually peaking in early to mid-October. The Hudson Valley peaks latest, generally toward the end of October. Checking an annual fall foliage tracker closer to your trip date helps account for year-to-year variation driven by temperature and rainfall.
What are the best fall hikes in upstate New York?
Strong picks across regions include Elk Pen Loop and Sam’s Point & Verkeerderkill Falls in the Hudson Valley, Kaaterskill Falls and Hunter Mountain in the Catskills, Blue Mountain Fire Tower and Jay Mountain in the Adirondacks, and the Gorge Trails at Watkins Glen and Taughannock Falls in the Finger Lakes. The best choice depends on desired difficulty — Taughannock Falls and Bald Mountain are easy, high-reward options, while Jay Mountain and Hunter Mountain are more demanding full-day hikes.
Do I need a reservation to hike in upstate New York in the fall?
Most trails do not require reservations, but the Sam’s Point area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve does require a parking reservation during fall due to high demand. Reservations can be made through Reserve America for New York State Parks. Other popular fall destinations, including Kaaterskill Falls and Watkins Glen, do not require reservations but have limited parking that fills quickly on weekends — arriving early is the standard strategy.
What region of upstate New York has the best fall hiking?
Each region offers a genuinely different style of fall hiking. The Adirondacks offer the most dramatic mountain and fire tower views with the earliest peak foliage. The Catskills are known for accessible waterfall hikes like Kaaterskill Falls alongside demanding mountain climbs like Hunter Mountain. The Hudson Valley offers the most convenient access from New York City. The Finger Lakes region delivers the most waterfall-dense, flat, easy-access trails, particularly at Watkins Glen and Taughannock Falls.
What should I pack for a fall hike in New York?
Pack the standard Ten Essentials (water, snacks, map, sunscreen, rain gear, first aid kit, headlamp, repair kit, fire starter, emergency shelter), plus gloves and hand warmers for cooler elevation temperatures, sturdy hiking shoes with good tread for navigating wet fallen leaves on rock and stone steps, and bug spray, which remains relevant through early fall before the first hard frost.