shawangunk mountains

Awesome place to climb. It's where it started in the US! Wonderful trails and million dollar views. Need I say more?

We came here on the way home from Woodstock, NY and all I can say is WOW. It's like a cliff appears out of nowhere. Driving up to the Shawangunk Mountains is so flat and beautiful with various wineries and farms and then boom - there is a massive mountain with cliff for climbing. It is beautiful. We parked at the visitors center and walked up the pedestrian path to the hiking trail at the base of the climbing mountain. It is a beautiful walk with breath taking views. It was very cool to see all the various levels of climbers hanging onto the side of the mountain. There were people practicing on the path level and that was very cool to watch to. This place is beautiful.

We've been hiking at Minneswaska and Mohonk and Awosting for 20+ years. Can't be beat. Fantastic views of the Gunks, great town of New Paltz and environs. Would love to live up there and go outdoors every day for a stroll. Bike path good too. Make sure to go early during Fall Foliage or you won't get into parking lots.

I've hiked in many National Parks, parts of the Appalachian Trail, the Berkshires, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas and in British Columbia too, but when I drive up 299 and see the GUNKS, I feel like I've come home. There's nothing quite like the GUNKS.

These mountains are beautiful with lots of hiking available. And so easy to get to! Just 1 1/2 hours north of New York City

Great place to learn how to climb. We used guides from High Xposure. Ask for Pete. He was super patient and basically, spiderman if you ask me. The views at the top are amazing once you ascend 170 ft climbs or so.

My husband and I aren't big into skiing, so we decided that snowtubing was more our style. When we first arrived, we were worried that we were the only single adults there without any kids. But you know what, we did it anyway and had a blast! You're only as old as you feel!!

Superb views all around. This is the Acadia of the Hudson Valley! Fine, gravel carriage roads for walking and mountain biking (skinny tires will not work here). The world's best rock climbing. A variety of difficulty rated walking trails. Look into it! Buy a Mohonk Preserve annual membership or else it it too expensive to hike in the preserve. Barring that, stick to the trails of Minnewaska state park.

Walking atop of Sam's Point Nature preserve is the highlight of the Shawangunk Mountains especially as you look north at the Catskill Mountains whose depth and mass punctuate their grace and nobility. The views beckon one to travel forth, as these mountains rise in grace and nobility to frame the country north. To our surprise we discovered the first family to settle this valley came from Connecticut in 1792--including Oliver and Sarah Fairchild, our American fore-bearers who traveled all the way from Connecticut where the patriarch of the Fairchild family--Thomas Fairchild settled after leaving the Colne Valley in the shadows of Castle Hedingham. We since wonder of their delight seeing the first look upon this virgin valley before the nineteenth century left its mark of industrial wasteland. The Valley once known as the Fairchild's was renamed for some waif who came through. They lay now under tall pines in the Laurenkill cemetery where chance tilted their headstones four degrees forward that by chance their kin would one day find them again, and so I did Grandfather Oliver. You lived from 1730 til 1816, a healthy 96 years in the little Alps of the Shawangunk Ridge.

Great scenery, good hikes. I understand the rock climbing is great too but not something we are into.

There are miles of trails and I would go back there in a heart beat. It is beautiful country.

Looking For A Great Day Come Down To the Gunks.Hiking Relaxing Just Enjoying The View At 420 The Sky Looks Great.

These mountains, rounded with old age, house some of the smallest, sweetest villages in lower New York. A quaint and inexpensive place to explore.

The Gunks are a must see if you visit the area. Great hiking and the wine trail is right nearby!

Just drive the Gunks and there are so many amazing places to stop and stare, hike, walk, ride...