AMC's Best Day Hikes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails from New York City to Albany (Appalachian Mountain Club) (Paperback)

by Peter Kick (Author) "PERHAPS NO OTHER LANDMARK characterizes the Hudson Valley as does its Highlands, the scenic and rugged group of Appalachian hills that rises between Dunderberg Mountain..." (more)
Key Phrases: burnt knob, yellow paint blazes, pitch pine barrens, New York, Other Trails, Sky Top (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With more than 600 miles of trails within just a few hours of New York City, the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley are a hiker's paradise, boasting varied and scenic terrain from Westchester County to Albany. This new guide from the experts at the Appalachian Mountain Club leads beginner and experienced hikers alike along sixty of the region's most spectacular trails, from short family nature walks to day-long hikes that reward with magnificent views. Each trip description includes a detailed map and a summary of the trip time, distance, and difficulty, plus an icon indicating whether the trail is also good for snowshoeing or cross-country. The guide includes appendices packed with snowshoe treks, rock climbing in the Gunks, and other opportunities for outdoor adventure in the region, making this guide an essential four-season reference for locals and visitors alike.

Special features include:
>Fifty day hikes for all ability levels, ranging from two to eight miles long
>Detailed and accurate trail descriptions
>Locator map and "At-A-Glance" highlights chart for easy trip comparison and planning
>Hiking and safety tips
>Detailed maps showing parking areas, trails, and natural highlights
>Nature Notes about prominent species, and unique natural features of each hike
>Photographs of plant and animal life reflecting each trip's hidden wonders

About the Author

Peter Kick, a native of the Catskill Mountains, is a New York State licensed wilderness guide and trip leader. The author of several hiking and mountain-biking guides, including AMC's Catskill Mountain Guide, his writing also has appeared in Backpacker, Outdoor Traveler, and Adirondack Life. He lives in New Paltz, NY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club Books; 1st edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929173849
• ISBN-13: 978-1929173846
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,206 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Travel > United States > States > New York > Catskills
  #8 in	Books > Travel > United States > Regions > Northeast > Mid Atlantic
  #10 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hiking & Camping > Excursion Guides

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The premier guide for anyone planning an excursion in New York's Catskills and Hudson Valley country!, August 8, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

There are more than 600 miles of hiking trails in the Catskill mountains and the Hudson Valley, locales that are within just a few hours of New York City. "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" is a practical "day trip" guide to varied and scenic terrains that range from Westchester County to Albany, showcasing sixty of the most scenic and spectacular of these trails which suited for anything from short family nature walks to day-long hikes with magnificent views. Each individual trail trip includes a detailed map and a summary of the trip time, distance, and difficultly. An icon indicates whether the trail is also good for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter, making "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" an all weather, all-season reference of value for both local residents and vacationing visitors. Enhanced with hiking and safety tips, advice for hiking with children, an 'At-a-Glance Trip Planner' for finding the best hikes suited to the reader's aspirations and limitations, "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" is the premier guide for anyone planning an excursion in New York's Catskills and Hudson Valley country!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You'll want to try them all!, October 17, 2007

By	Missus Dakey (Princeton, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

We are not expert hikers, but we got around fine using this guidebook. We knew we wanted to go hiking during our B&B weekend in the Hudson Valley, but wanted to try somewhere other than Mohonk Mountain (which is very nice, and covered in the book, but we've done it a few times). We took his suggestion and rode out to Stissing Mountain. It was so worth it! Between the directions in the book and help from our GPS, we were able to find the trailhead. Climbing to the top was a little intense, but we were rewarded with amazing views from the firetower, just as promised! We can't wait to go back for more hikes!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide, January 18, 2009

By	Elizaveta Temidis "middle of the night reader" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love to hike with my children. This book is filled with simple yet clear maps, excellent directions, helpful descriptions, and useful information. I rely on it to assess the level of difficulty of and what to expect from a particular hike. The authors put a lot of hard work and heart into this guide. I highly recommend it.