I’d been wanting to try Bonticou Crag for a while–the rock scramble and views have a great reputation. Since it’s only ~25 minutes away from New Paltz, I thought I’d give it a try.
The trailhead is at the Spring Farm parking area in the Mohonk Preserve.
You need a day pass to enter. It cost $15 per person, and since I was hiking with a friend, we paid $30. Check online to see about purchasing tickets before you head over, as this is run by Mohonk Mountain House.
The road in is well maintained, and the parking at the trailhead is clearly marked. On the day we went, there seemed to be some kind of cross-country practice going on, so keep in mind that on afternoons during the school year, the trails and parking lot see a lot more traffic.
Distance: ~2.3 mi
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: ~500 ft
Time: ~1 hour
From the start, the trail is a weaving dirt path. The trail markings can be confusing at intersections, so I’d recommend using AllTrails or another GPS.
Once you approach the crag, you have to scramble, or climb, over rocks. The attendant at the entrance warned us that there were venomous snakes in the area, and to double check before putting your hand anywhere. At the top, you get panoramic views of the surrounding valley and ridgelines.
My friend and I skipped the scramble–not because we were scared of the snakes, but it looked a little more daunting to us than the pictures let on. Thankfully, there is another trail that wraps around the crag, which led us back to the original trail.
Overall, Bonticou Crag is a rewarding, short hike; it gives you a bit of rock scrambling without needing any additional gear, plus solid views for the effort. My only peeve with this trail is that by the end, you have to cross a large field to get to the parking lot. While there were amazing views of the Taconic/Berkshire foothills, it was extremely hot with no shade, even in mid-September.
I would recommend wearing sturdy shoes for this hike, since the rock can be slippery. Definitely bring bug spray–we were being followed by bees and gnats the entire time. If it’s raining or has just rained, avoid the scramble as it can become dangerous. As I mentioned before, there is a path that leads around it and meets back up with the main trail.
Check out our other New York State hiking posts here:
https://www.anationofmoms.com/travel/new-york-hikes
Busy college student and travel enthusiast, Dylan enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring as much as possible.
Feel free to contact the blog with questions: marysa@anationofmoms.com
This place is perfect for a fall hike. I will be adding it to my list of fall activities.
It is such a glorious spot! We’d go and take a bunch of pics. I know they’d come out gorgeous. If I’m in this area, I’m going!
That looks like such a beautiful hiking trail. I love that it is a bit of a mixed walk but extra gear isn’t needed. Always good to have sturdy shoes to be safe!
What an incredible view of the Berkshire foothills! I like that distance as well…not too long!
I love how the post makes Bonticou Crag feel alive — your storytelling really carries me up the trail with you.
That is absolutely gorgeous! I love how deep into nature you can get there. That walkway is super rustic.
I could spend days there. I love nature’s beauty. Bonticou looks like something right out of a fairy tale.
What a vivid hike experience! I can almost feel the scramble, sun, and wild beauty you’ve described heree 😍. Great photos 👌🏻.
I can see why you wanted to do the trail, the views are amazing. This is definitely something I would love to do as love walks like this
oh wow, this is soooo beautiful. I love hiking especially in the Fall, the colors are out of this world…We might be going on a hike on Sunday, I can’t wait.
I feel like the Catskills have some of the most beautiful hiking trails, especially in the autumn change of leaves. This is such a good recommendation!
This looks like a fantastic hike! I haven’t had a chance to explore this part of the Catskills yet, but the rock scramble at Bonticou Crag looks like so much fun. That’s a really great, practical warning about the venomous snakes in the scramble area—that’s exactly the kind of local knowledge that’s so important to have. The panoramic views from the top look like an amazing reward for the climb. Thanks for the great guide!