Hiking

Devil's Path. In the Westkill Mountain Wilderness Area, the challenging Devil's Path winds through the Stony Clove mountain pass and around natural rock formations. Follow the red trail markers for the scenic 7-mile hike to the summit of Westkill Mountain (3,880 feet). The trailhead is at the north end of the parking lot at the Devil's Tombstone Campground, at Diamond Notch Lake. To get here from Hunter Mountain, take Route 23A east to Route 214 and head south for 4 miles. Off Rte. 214, Hunter, New York, 12442. 201/512–9348; www.nynjtc.org/hike/devils-path-east-section.

Kaaterskill Falls. As you watch the waters cascade 260 feet down the gray rock of this two-tiered waterfall, you'll see why this spot was so popular with Thomas Cole and other Hudson River School painters. To access the trail that leads to the bottom of the falls, park in the public lot on Route 23A, 3 miles east of Tannersville. To get to the trailhead, walk about ¼ mile east along the narrow shoulder of Route 23A. (This is a very busy road with hairpin turns, so you may find yourself hugging rocks as cars pass you.) Signs point the way to the path, which leads you past the delicate Bastion Falls. Although largely level, the moderately difficult trail does have a few steep sections. Altogether the hike is less than 1 mile long and shouldn't take a full hour. You may be tempted to climb to the top of the falls, but this is really risky: missteps on the slippery rocks here have resulted in many accidents—some fatal. Rte. 23A, Haines Falls, New York, 12485. 201/512–9348; www.nynjtc.org/hike/kaaterskill-falls.