kaaterskill falls

We drove up to the top of the top of the mountain and took the short hike to look over the waterfall. I'm not incredibly adventurous so I found it fun and challenging. There's no guard rails up there once you get to the edge of the hill so I wouldn't recommend for children.

I and my husband discovered Kaaterskill Falls..by accident..in the early 70's, while wanting a weekend away from NYC...we explored the Catskills for many years, before & after discovering Katterskill.... but to me who is a nature enthusiast.. the falls...were and still is a glorious spot in nature.... back in the 70's was a simple trek to get to the falls, and be on top.... remember, just parking the car...saw a trail...and decided, let's follow it....while taking the short 5-6 minute walk, we followed the sound of the water..until we came to the end of the trial ...crossed a small wood barrier.......then entered..what I called a little bit of heaven... the feeling of breathlessness was so intense. I do not think in all of my life since then I had that feeling of completeness in the beauty of nature...literally in awe. It was a crystal clear early summer day... so you can see in the distance the mountain range....there were little swimming holes on top...and rocks you could climb...and a huge bolder that was a bit far from the ledge,where you could sit safely..and absorb this beautiful place....I noticed on the rocks..names of those that passed through...and dates..that went back to the 1800's,although chiseled on the rocks...you can tell the writings were in Old English script......Now years later, the trail to the top of the falls, no longer exists...unless there is,and I don't know... I had gone to Kaaterskill falls last summer..and parked where I did many years ago..the area was no longer a trail......so this summer I will do the hike with my 3 grandchildren,who are about the same age,as my son was back in the 70's when we explored the falls several times....hoping they will be inspired as well.....but nothing was more spectacular..then finding it that one day so long ago..I love the Catskills..and the Adirondacks.... where nature in the northeast is at it's finest.....go there...will be something you won't forget.

If you love beautiful views that inspired Hudson school painters, hiking trails that are fairly easy, and waterfalls, then you should go here. If you don't like scenic beauty, nature, or walking more than six feet, don't go. This place is wonderful!

So you can hike up from the road and have to deal with the parking lot and walking down the road side which can get a bit hairy b/c of traffic but get a great view from the base of the falls in only about a mile hike. Last time I did it I was a smoker and it was a little strenuous. OR you can access the falls from the top, BY driving up....unless your seriously a mountain goat DO NOT try to climb up the side. I can't tell you how many people I know have fallen, and its usually not good....drive up. Better still is the whole ravine, starting from the first bridge you cross on the way up the hill. Put on some great water shoes and hike the river....plan on getting wet, but its well worth it.

10 minute hike and you in front of beautiful water falls, you can actually climb a touch more and go under water falls(water may be cold)

This is a tremendous place. The parking lot is up the hill and is a bit difficult to get down to the falls...you will need to walk on the road-which keep in mind is in the middle of a winding mountain with vehicles coming both directions-some trying to keep slow coming down the mountain and others working hard to get up the mountain...so for Moms...it can be a bit scary...but it is all worth it. The first falls that you see from the road are beautiful...but take the time and make the hike to the main falls...they are beautiful. I really appreciate NY and their parks as they allow you to actually hike...like thru the rocks and things...that being said you will need to be in relative shape to get to the back falls...it is a little over 1/2 mile back to them...but the elevation change means that you will work to get there. It is well worth it.

I suggest sturdy shoes with grip, bring some water and don't forget the camera! One of my favorite sites as a hudson valley local. Always a great short hike that's not too strenuous. Also. For the love of God head the signs! We have had two people this year die due from falls related to ignoring posted signs along with countless others in years past. Please do not put local rescue services and emt s at risk because of your poor choices!!! But definitely worth the trek, and there is a parking lot just pass the trail, I have always found a spot there, just be aware of cars on the walk over by road.

We had to park a bit away. There is not much by the way of parking. Nice easy walk and pretty waterfall. Wear proper shoes.

Fall is okay but because of the fall colors it was worth a visit. Nice view of Kaaterskill Clove from the parking area.

Get there early!! Parking is VERY limited and was full by 9 AM on the fall morning that we went. Instead of taking our own lives (and the life of our car) in our hands, we were disappointed, but chose not to do this hike. But the secret, part 2? Is a very easy WALK (not hike) from a parking lot at the top to the view at the top of the falls. I will caution you that there are fences to discourage you from getting anywhere near the falls, and if I had children with me, or anyone else of questionable sense, I would have heeded the fences and the dire warning that is posted. But, as long as you have common sense (and the 2 people who died there this year obviously did not) you can get reasonable close. The view is AMAZING! Especially with the fall foliage.

secured the last spot in the parking lot. walked the quarter mile or so to the base of the falls. it was pretty crowded but pretty to see the falls.

The highest waterfall in NY, at 230 ft, it is spectacular - even during the dry season. Get a trail map from the Historical Society on Rt 23A in Haines Falls. Get there early -9am because the parking lot fills up even on a weekday. Then walk along the road, single file to get to the trailhead. A short hike gets you to the base of the falls. BUT BE VERY CAREFUL. When you see signs that say, " do not go beyond this sign" Please heed them! We saw people just keep going! It is all loose shale and bluestone! To get to the top of the Falls, you need to descend and drive your car using the directions on the trail map. Be Very careful at the top of the Falls! the ledge is smooth and slightly tipped. Two people slipped off and died there the summer of 2014 (140 ft. drop to rocks).

One of the most beautiful easy hikes in the Catskills. Stunning colors on this bright, cool fall day. We avoided the weekend because the parking lot gets jammed with cars and the trail packed with people walking single file all the way to the falls. Peak color days bring the tourists hordes! We arrived at the trailhead at 9:30am on a Monday and there wasn't a soul in sight. Parking in the lot on the south side of Route 23A, we walked downhill along the highway (look out for traffic!) about two hundred yards to the trailhead that leads to the base of the falls. A smaller waterfall, Bastion Falls, flows past the trailhead and is easily visible from the road.The rugged trail follows the creek gorge rather steeply uphill with Spruce Creek cascading downhill alongside the trail the entire way. It took us about a half hour to reach the falls. The trail is not regularly maintained so it's important to wear good hiking shoes to navigate the rocks and protruding tree roots on the narrow trail.Kaaterskill Falls is the highest, two-tier waterfall in the state of New York. The falls are 260 feet high, plunging to a wide bowl shaped amphitheater 180 feet below the upper lip of the falls and then continuing down the cliff face. Stunning views of water tumbling down from a great height! This summer was rather dry so the falls are not very full. We explored the drier areas of the stream bed and the rocky pools with beautiful reflections of colorful foliage. Peaceful morning hike, lovely colors, stunning scenery, the sound of water falling and flowing over rocks, birdsong. Perfection!

Really nice hike! I would even say it's more of a trail walk because it wasn't that strenuous. The hardest part is the very beginning when you have to climb rocks to get up the hill but after that not bad at all. I was hesitant about starting after reading about it being dangerous and some fatalities but if you stay on the marked foot trail and stop at the end of the trail it is a very pleasant walk. I did not go past the roped off areas although some people were doing it. That is when it looks to gets dangerous.Pretty waterfall and worth the short trek. We parked in the lot right past the trail head and walked along the highway to get to the entrance. There is a shoulder and plenty of signs but still take caution.

Beautiful!! We love coming here and going to North-South Lake.This is.a place I recommend. The beauty you see is beyond words.