Catskills Grand Loop

The landscape of the Catskills is characterized by broad, sloped floodplains covered in working farms on the valley floors, and steep, forested ridgelines rising above. The region is a mix of privately owned land and public forest preserves. Throughout the route, riders will go from valley to valley, watershed to watershed, guided up and over mountain passes with a strong preference for doubletrack and rough gravel where possible. This route follows all NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation (DEC) designated trail uses, which means that we avoid foot trails. Notes (POIs) in the route indicate optional excursions along disused logging roads, rugged snowmobile trails, and occasional mountain biking areas. The remaining miles are on paved roads, which is a fact of riding in this region. While the majority of the miles on the 200-mile loop are on paved surfaces, the route brings you past dead-end unpaved roads that climb up a valley before turning into a foot trail, often with great camping sites and vistas. We could include those roads to make the route appear more gravel-y but have decided not to include them to maintain the flow of the main loop. The best riding seasons are summer and fall. Spring has a small window after the freezes end and before the flies awaken. Winter comes early to the Catskill Plateau.

The first and last miles of this route are along the prominent Catskill Front (also called the Escarpment), the large ridgeline that rises sharply from the river valley to form the Northern and Eastern boundary of the Catskill Mountains. The route begins at the base of the Catskill Front on Bogart Rd at the intersection with the Old Mountain Turnpike in Palenville, NY. Old Mountain Turnpike is a foot and horse trail that leads 1600ft up to the Catskill Plateau, to the former site of a formerly successful hotel, the Catskill Mountain House. This was the primary path up to the hotel. Guests used this carriageway from 1824 to 1892, which is when Catskill Mountain House constructed the Otis Elevating Railway, a funicular train whose rise brought about the disuse of the road.

Riders begin by staying close to the base of the Catskill Front and riding South. We go past “The Devil’s Kitchen”, which is one of the steepest climbs in the Northeast, and past the Ashokan Reservoir, which is one of several NYC water supply reservoirs we pass on this route. We take roads to the South of the towering Ashokan High Point, have a food stop in Samsonville, and then make the climb up to the Sundown Wild Forest, where there are campsites and a waterfall. We’ve crossed the Catskill Divide, which is the line that separates waters that flow into the Delaware River watershed and the Hudson River watershed.

The route continues with 4 miles of snowmobile trails followed by a massive descent into the valley that holds the Rondout Reservoir, another of the NYC water supply reservoirs. Riders continue through Grahamsville and turn right to start a massive 1500ft climb up Denman Mountain Road. This brings riders to the Basily Road snowmobile trails and campsites near Fluggertown Road. We follow the gentle downhill slope of the Willowemoc Creek all the way into town at Livingston Manor for a grocery store, sandwiches, espresso, and ice cream. Riders cross the ridgeline to the North and descend to the Beaverkill Creek, with a great swimming spot nearby. Both the Willowemoc and Beaverkill Creeks also happen to be renowned trout fishing sites, so you might see a lot of anglers parked along the road.

The route continues North up Barkaboom Road and down sharply to the edge of the Pepacton Reservoir, another of the NYC water supply reservoirs. Riders trace the edge of the water for a rare flat section before turning right on Mill Brook Rd and riding the entire loop of Dry Brook Ridge. There are 2 convenient camping locations during this segment, and several more quite rugged campsites a few miles off the route. Riders end up going past the Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville, NY, which has a day pass for $20 that allows use of their showers (and pool, etc.). If you need them, there are many grocery and food options just to the West in the town of Margaretville, and the route brings riders to the East to the town of Fleischmanns, where there are a couple of light food options. There is a massive mountain ridgeline between you and the next grocery stop, so make sure you’re full of water, snacks, caffeine, and meals.

Riders exit town to the East to cross the gravel roads on “Hawk-it” Mountain before making the big climb over Vly Mountain. This 4×4 road is a broad doubletrack of loose and rocky stones. It’s a steep climb that’s far more challenging than the rough gravel we have seen up to this point, and most people hike-a-bike in this section. The gravel descent is much longer than the climb. Crossing this mountain puts you back in the Hudson River watershed, leaving the Delaware River watershed behind. Riders eventually make their way down to the town of Prattsville for food and groceries.

Riders depart town to the North and begin the climb up Huntersfield Mountain, the single biggest climb on the trip at 1650ft. There is a mix of paved roads with moderate traffic and gravel roads that are quiet and scenic. The final big climb is up Bluebird Rd, and then the big descent brings riders down the front face of the Escarpment with gorgeous views of the Durham Valley. Riders go south on Joseph Chadderdon Rd, continue past Riedlbauer’s Resort and the Roundtopia mountain bike trails, to end back at the old Mountain House Turnpike.

• Paved: 83%
• Smooth Gravel: 4%
• Rough Gravel: 7%
• 4×4 Road: 5%
• Singletrack: 1%

Riding Season Information:

Spring – limited to late April-early May. Usually, there are at least 3 weeks after the ice melts and before the black flies come out.

Summer – late June all the way through mid-September is A+ riding, especially August.

Fall – Mid-September through the end of October. Invigorating rides in cooler temperatures and peak foliage. Freezes come early on the Catskill Plateau, and November might be too late in the season.

An exciting aspect of this route is that it is fairly accessible by train from up and down the East Coast. The route is 20 miles from the Amtrak station in Hudson, NY and 40 miles from the MetroNorth station in Poughkeepsie, NY. Below Tyler has created some suggested routes for getting from the train stations to the route.

• Amtrak station Hudson, NY – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53156378
• MetroNorth station Poughkeepsie, NY – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53156577

Parking:

Certain DEC parking lots are highlighted on the route, and towns like Livingston Manor, Margaretville, and Cairo may offer multi-day parking options.

Bike Suggestions:

Recommend a rigid bike frame to make the most of all the paved miles, and wide or chunky tires that can maintain traction and stability when the surface switches to rough gravel. Plan to lower your tire pressure when you go onto the loose, steep 4×4 mileage and any of the optional snowmobile trails that are adjacent to the route. There are zero bike shops along the route.

Traffic and Vehicles:

The route has been crafted to avoid the major 55mph highways that connect regions within the Catskill Mountains. By avoiding the big roads, we are choosing to ride further, higher, and closer to nature. Each road that’s included in the route is carefully selected to maximize feelings of remoteness and scenic beauty.

Camping:

Options listed in this route are hiker sites and lean-tos that are on the route, or close enough to the route that they are bike-accessible. They are primitive campsites for dispersed camping, and the perpetuity of these sites is only possible if riders follow all Leave No Trace guidelines. This includes digging catholes and burying human waste. If you do want facilities like running water, flush toilets, and electricity, you will be able to find public and private campgrounds with your own searches.

Please familiarize yourself with the details about primitive camping and campsite selection before riding the route https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/state-land-rules

Water:

Purification or filtration is required because flowing surface water is plentiful in the Catskill Mountains, and with a filter, you won’t be worried about when the next water source will come along. During drought conditions, moving surface water is still common but not ubiquitous. Recommend carrying at least 2L of water capacity if you are using a filter. If not, you will pass through a town at least once a day, where you can buy gallon jugs of water, and you should plan to carry closer to 4L water capacity.

Food and Meal Prep:

Each 50-mile section of the route has at least one significant town with a grocery store and other food options, so meal planning and resupplying are as simple as you want them to be. You could prep all your dried meals beforehand, or you can easily carry only snacks with you, and purchase prepared foods or groceries each day.

Services Along the Route:

Phone service is spotty, but occasionally you will have phone service while riding in the forests, and usually while you are in town. Riders can charge electrical devices and use wifi while patronizing local businesses. There is a shower stop and wifi at the Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville, NY, where a day pass costs $20.

Route creator Tyler Burton occasionally runs guided tours on this or other routes in the area. Check out his Instagram or website, Lichen Bike Tours, for more information.

Please familiarize yourself with the details about primitive camping and campsite selection before riding the route https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/state-land-rules

The Catskill 200 route is the work of Tyler Burton.

Here are a few words from Tyler:

Having been a bike commuter in a more urban environment for many years, I moved to the Hudson Valley in 2021 and began to explore my new home by bicycle. I began creating overnight bikepacking routes while simultaneously hiking the Catskill high peaks in winter, completing wilderness first aid training, and getting a NYS DEC guide license. What brings me joy is bringing people together on bicycles.

This route traverses the traditional lands of the Schaghticoke, Mohican, Haudenosonee, and Mohawk.