The Catskills Center has put together a series of hikes as part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge. The Challenge consists of a series of hikes designed to introduce hikers to the region. And Adventure Untamed is taking on the challenge. If you complete six of the eight hikes that are part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge, you can earn a patch from the Catskills Adventure Center. Adventure Untamed is planning to do all eight hikes in 2026. Next up – Trout Pond! This hike starts near a small meadow and features a waterfall and the ruins of an old mill site. We will hike along the Trout Pond outlet to the scenic 19-acre pond. “Hike is a steady, gentle climb.” We are rating it ACTIVE+ Come discover the Catskills with us and earn a patch!

Photo Source

What’s included:

This is arguably one of the most beautiful day hikes in the Catskills. We’ll traverse the entire Burroughs Range Trail, which summits three 3,500-foot-tall peaks, including the Catskills’ tallest peak, Slide Mountain. This challenging hike offers spectacular views, interesting climbs over exposed ledges, and steep rock scrambles, including the vertical chimney known as the Cornell ‘crack.’ This classic, rugged Catskill hike is for the intermediate to advanced hiker with a true sense of adventure! You will be allowed to go at your own pace.

This is a great prep hike fore the Full Devil’s Path!

Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #14, #9 and #1 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 3,782′, 3,858′, and 4,184′).

What’s included:

Adventurers! This has been a long time in the making, and we are so excited! We are doing the Presidential Traverse in three days, spending our nights in two mountain huts (no backpacking gear needed!) – Madison Spring Hut and Lake of the Clouds Hut. This is going to be an exciting, beautiful, challenging journey on the ridge that connects Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, and Pierce mountains. WOW! We are doing it over three days and two nights to give everyone a chance to finish.

We’ll start our epic journey with a night at the Highland Center lodge and a short hike after the long drive from the City. On Day 2, we are getting up bright and early to climb up to the ridge and get to Madison Spring Hut, our first mountain hut of the trip.

Day 3 is where we will traverse the ridge! We will get a chance to see incredible views and summit many stunning peaks, including Mt. Washington, the tallest mountain in the Northeast.

Finally, on Day 4, we will get up early with an Alpine start to tackle the last of the ridge and the descend to the end of the trail. We’ll then drive back to the City (we are trying to keep this trip a reasonable length and over a holiday weekend, so you don’t have to take too many days off to do it).

Day 1 (July 3)

We’ll depart at 6:30 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the Highland Center, we’ll get situated and do a leisurely hike. We’ll stretch our legs, have dinner, and turn in early.

Day 2 (July 4 – Independence Day!)

After breakfast and a drive to the trail-head, we’ll start our ascent to the ridge. We’ll do most of the climbing that day. We will do approximately five miles with an elevation gain of approximately 4,000 feet. It will be a challenging climb, but a shorter mileage day, and we’ll get to relax, eat dinner, and spend the night at Madison Spring Hut.

Day 3 (July 5)

After a good night’s rest, we’ll eat breakfast and start our journey on the ridge. We’ll traverse from mountain to mountain, enjoying the amazing wilderness that the White Mountains offer. If the day is clear, we’ll see stunning views all day long. Today we’ll hike for about eight miles and gain approximately 3,000 feet in elevation. We will spend the night at the legendary Lake of the Clouds Hut.

Day 4 (July 6)

Finally, with an Alpine start, we’ll tackle the last of the traverse and descend to the end trail-head. Today, we’ll hike approximately seven and a half miles and descend approximately 3,500 feet. Then we’ll drive back to New York City after an amazing journey!

NOTE: This hike is CHALLENGING+. We are doing it over three days, and you should feel comfortable doing Catskill 3500s and Adirondack 46ers (our CHALLENGING-level trips) prior to attempting this trip. Please reach out to us at info@adventureuntamed.com with any questions. We are always happy to share a training plan!

Accommodations: We will send the first night at the Highlands Center Lodge. Night two and three will be at the mountain huts; Madison Spring and Lake of the Clouds. All accommodations are shared bunk beds in mountain huts.

Meals: all meals provided except for food stops during the drive to and from New Hampshire.

Spend your July 4th outdoors!

Fancy a dip in one of the Shawangunks’ glacial “sky lakes”? Come with us!

We’ll spend the day on carriage roads of the beautiful Minnewaska State Park. We’ll stop to take a dip in Lake Awosting (there are changing rooms right by the lake!), then continue to hike around the entire lake, taking in all its natural beauty.

Even though this trip has longer mileage, the carriage roads are gentler than traditional hiking trails. This is a perfect day for an intermediate-level hiker or advanced hikers looking for a relaxing day out!

Photo Courtesy NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

What’s included:

Looking to challenge yourself? The Escarpment Trail forms a link in the 340-mile, New-York-to-Albany Long Path. Hiking the full Escarpment is a challenging weekend adventure, but today you will take it on in just one day. This trail crosses seven summits over 3,000’ elevation on some of the most rugged and demanding terrain in the entire Catskills. We’ll hike through hardwood forests, cross swift-flowing creeks, and scramble up and down steep rock faces. These are the fabled mountains where Rip Van Winkle slept, and the trail has some of the most beautiful views in all of Catskill Mountains.

This is the perfect training hike for the Full Devil’s Path later in the summer! It’s just as long but packs in a little bit less elevation.

Windham High Peak and Blackhead are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #33 and #5 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 3,525’ and 3,941’).

Note: Must have prior tall-peak hiking experience in the Catskill Mountains or Adirondack Mountains before joining this hike. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@adventureuntamed.com.

What’s included:

In this hike series, we are taking on the longest hiking-only footpath in the world – one section at a time. For this adventure, we are tackling a New York section from Arden Valley Road to Seven Lakes Drive. We’ll go through the Lemon Squeezer gap, over West Island Pond Mountain, and get views of a forest pond. And because this is a point-to-point hike, there is no need to double-back or take other trails. The entire day is just the Appalachian Trail. We are staying close to NYC too, so no long drives! Come explore the AT with us!

Due to the elevation gain, this is an INTERMEDIATE+ trip.

What’s included:

The Catskills Center has put together a series of hikes as part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge. The Challenge consists of a series of hikes designed to introduce hikers to the region. Adventure Untamed is taking on the challenge! If you complete six of the eight hikes that are part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge, you can earn a patch from the Catskills Adventure Center. Adventure Untamed is planning to do all eight hikes in 2026. Next up – Diamond Notch Falls! This hike traverses the length of Diamond Notch. Along the way, we get a glimpse of the infamous Devil’s Path, see a beautiful waterfall (you can even deep your feet in the creek if you like!), and pass the Diamond Notch Lean-To.

AND, you can choose your own adventure! If you would like an ACTIVE hike, you can opt to do 3 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain. OR complete the out-and-back trail for an INTERMEDIATE 6-mile, 1,500 feet elevation gain hike. We will have guides standing by for either option!

What’s included:

Join Adventure Untamed on a canoeing trip! This day is perfect for first-timers! “Spend the day paddling this fun, beautiful, mellow section of the Delaware River. This trip ends at the actual Delaware Water Gap offering a breathtaking and dramatic view, where the river cuts through the Kittatinny Mountain range. Along the way swim, picnic and relax on the islands or river banks.” (from our partners, Edge of the Woods Outfitters). Our river-certified guide Gary will lead the way and show you the basics!

What’s included:

Looking for the ultimate challenge? Hike the entire Devil’s Path in just one day. Known as one of the most challenging hiking trails in the Northeast, the Devil’s Path has steep, rugged ascents and equally difficult descents, slowing down the pace of even the most experienced hikers. Doing the entire hike in two days is considered challenging. Doing it in just 13.5 hours will put your skills and endurance to the ultimate test. But don’t worry, your Adventure Untamed Team will be there with resupply, and there will be bail-out points. AU guides will be on trail to help you succeed!

This is an at-your-own-pace hike. Guides will be sweeping and at timed cutoff checkpoints to ensure everyone’s safety!

On this trip we will summit Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, and West Kill mountains. These are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership.

What’s included:

The ART trail is the hidden gem of the Catskills. Completed in 2019, it is a hiking and biking 11.5-mile trail with breathtaking views. While the distance might seem on the long side, the total elevation is just over 300 feet. And the trail is made up of compacted, crushed rock, which makes it significantly easier to navigate. This makes this hike an ACTIVE+ or INTERMEDIATE- level hike.

You won’t have to work hard to earn breathtaking views of the Burroughs Range Mountains, towering over the vast Ashokan reservoir. There are also plenty of forest sections and water crossings over charming, wooden bridges. The beauty of this brand-new trail is really worth the trip!

What’s included:

Spend the day on the water!

We’ll be out on the river all day, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery. It’s dam-release weekend, so you will get to experience some sections of Level II-III whitewater. This adventure is the perfect combination of a relaxing day and exciting rapids. You don’t need any experience with whitewater to enjoy this trip. All that’s required is a thirst for adventure. Get ready for some fun on the water!

What’s included:

In this hike series, we are taking on the longest hiking-only footpath in the world – one section at a time. For this section, we are venturing into Connecticut! We’ll summit Fuller Mountain, then traverse over to Caleb’s Peak for a scenic view of the surrounding valley. And because our hike parallels the Housatonic River, we’ll be catching views of this winding river throughout our hike. This is a point-to-point hike, and there is no need to double-back or take other trails. The entire day is just the Appalachian Trail. Come explore the AT with us!

This is and INTERMEDIATE+ hike and may fell challenging due to he elevation gain, but we’ll keep the pace moderate!

What’s included:

Are you ready for a bushwhacking challenge? Rising to this challenge will allow us to traverse a beautiful, untouched area of Catskill wilderness. You’ll experience a true bushwhack (hiking off trail), and we’ll navigate using land features (handrails) and a map and compass. If we have time left in the day, we’ll and a peak and bushwhack over to Sherrill.

Note: Must have prior tall-peak hiking experience in the Catskill Mountains or Adirondack Mountains before joining a bushwhack. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@adventureuntamed.com.

North Dome is a required for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and is #27 Tall Peak (elevation 3,610’).

What’s included:

The Catskills Center has put together a series of hikes as part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge. The Challenge consists of a series of hikes designed to introduce hikers to the region. Adventure Untamed is taking on the challenge! If you complete six of the eight hikes that are part of the Catskills Adventure Challenge, you can earn a patch from the Catskills Adventure Center. Adventure Untamed is planning to do all eight hikes in 2026. Next up – Rochester Hollow! Rochester Hollow is a plot of land near the Big Indian Mountain. It’s a series of three connecting trails and a quintessential hike in through the woods. The word that repeatedly comes up to describe this trail is ‘peaceful.’ The woods, remnants of old stone walls, wild life, and a walk through the woods.

What’s included:

Adventurers! Just in time for Labor Day Weekend, we have an amazing way to cool off! Join us on our newest Hike and Swim!

The trail takes us on parts of the Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, past scenic viewpoints, and through forest trails. We are going to spend the day in Fahnestock State Park and stop midway through the day to swim in Canopus Lake on a sandy beach with lifeguards. Join us on the perfect summer adventure!

This is an ACTIVE+/INTERMEDIATE- hike.

What’s included:

Kaaterskill High Peak was a frequent subject of works by the Hudson River School artists in the 19th century, and these paintings are still displayed in some of the world’s most famous museums.

Today, we’ll cross over several footbridges while hiking deep into this beautiful area of the Catskill Mountains. In order to reach the summit we’ll scramble up the mountain’s steep and challenging unmarked trail. If we’re lucky, we’ll locate two plane crashes! But we’ll need to be careful, because, as you will hear in tales from your guide, this area of the Catskills is haunted…

This is a required peak for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #22 Catskill Tall Peak (elevation 3,653’).

What’s included:

Looking for a challenge? Hike the eastern half of the infamous Devil’s Path! Known as one of the most challenging hiking trails in the Northeast, the Devil’s Path has steep, rugged ascents and equally difficult descents, slowing down the pace of even the most experienced hikers. Conquering the eastern half will require you to scramble up rocky trails and navigate boulders and gravel on the descents. But we’ll be there to set you up for success! You will have access to a resupply and bail out point (after approximately 8 miles and three peaks), and our guides will be on trail to help throughout the day.

And if you are feeling up for a really intense day, join us to hike the full Devil’s Path – we do it every summer!

This is an at-your-own-pace hike. Guides will be sweeping and at timed cutoff checkpoints to ensure everyone’s safety!

On this trip we will summit Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf and Plateau mountains. These are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership.

What’s included:

Fall is a beautiful time of year! And just as beautiful are all the amazing outdoor activities it offers. For this trip, enjoy the best of fall with Adventure Untamed. Spend the first half of the day hiking on the trails of Minnewaska State Park Preserve and see beautiful glacial lakes and sweeping ridge views. Then, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at a local orchard picking apples (they have so much variety!). You can eat apples as you pick and only pay for what you take home. The orchard has lots of yummy food too!

What’s included:

We will try to catch the start of fall foliage with this October climb!

Rocks are meant for climbing! Whether you have experienced the unbridled joy of climbing outside, are a gym climber looking to climb outdoors, or a first-timer, join us for a trip to the Gunks, one of the best climbing areas in the country. Our rock guides will set up multiple ropes, so you will get a chance to try routes of varying difficulty and climb as much as you want throughout the day. We will teach you the basics and give feedback and beta to help you progress as a climber.

We will provide all the equipment that you need, including harnesses, helmets, and climbing shoes. Please email us your shoe size.

What’s included:

In our Fall Foliage series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn!

Spend your day on a scenic bike ride over the quiet roads of western Connecticut. Take in the beauty of the serene lakes and rivers, picturesque forests, and quiet New England towns. Feel the unencumbered freedom of being on a bike, with nothing but the open road in front of you. Be prepared for a full day in the saddle, filled with rolling hills and some climbs to get your blood pumping. You should have some prior biking experience, but we’ll keep the pace moderate, and you can always bail and take advantage of riding in the support vehicle if you don’t feel like finishing the ride. Experience the joy of discovering new places as a cyclist!

We will provide you with bikes and helmets. Please email us to let us know your height.

What’s included:

In our Fall Foliage series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn!

In this hike series, we are taking on the longest hiking-only footpath in the world – one section at a time. For this adventure, we’ll hike on top of the Kittatinny Ridge. With fall foliage in full swing, we should be in for some great views extending out to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We’ll be hiking along the gorgeous Delaware River in the valley below. Because this is a point-to-point hike, there is no need to double-back. It’s only the Appalachian Trail, and it’s new places all day long. Come explore the AT with us!

What’s included:

In our Fall Foliage series, we are taking you to beautiful places to see the leaves turn! Gertrude’s Nose is a classic fall foliage hike!

We’ll see one of the most iconic views in Minnewaska State Park Preserve! This hike traverses the ridge of Gertrude’s Nose, a unique rock formation on the Shawangunk Ridge. We’ll start our adventure at Lake Minnewaska, a glacial lake rimmed by towering, white sandstone cliffs. We’ll then traverse carriage roads and woodland trails and enjoy breathtaking views at the top of the ridge before reaching Gertrude’s Nose. With a keen eye and a little luck, you might spot local wildlife, like a porcupine or a black vulture, a recent addition to this area’s bird population.

What’s included:

We are hoping to catch the last of the fall leaves on this hike!

This hike takes us to the very western edge of the Catskill Mountains. It’s so remote that it’s outside the official boundary of the Catskill Park. We’ll follow an old, unmarked trail to the summit of Vly Mountain before tackling Bearpen, the original “Beast of the East”. It got that nickname when it was poised to become a hub for Northeast skiing. Following an old ski road on a moderate climb to the top of Bearpen, we’ll enjoy spectacular views and investigate the ruins of an old ski lift.

This is a great hike to introduce you to the Catskill 3500.

These are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #32 and #28 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 3,542′ and 3,587′).

What’s included:

In this hike series, we are taking on the longest hiking-only footpath in the world – one section at a time. This hike is a little longer, but the elevation gain is less than 1,000 feet. If you are looking for a less elevation-intense day to enjoy a hike through the woods, this one is for you! We will have a fantastic forest hike, with part of the day spent hiking by a large, forest lakes. This is a point-to-point hike, and there is no need to double-back or take other trails. The entire day is just the Appalachian Trail. Come explore the AT with us!

What’s included:

Join us on relaxing, post-Thanksgiving trip.

Our adventure begins with a 4.5-mile hike in the beautiful Worthington State Forest, where we’ll see sweeping views of the Delaware Water Gap and a beautiful forest pond!

For the second half of the day, we’ll visit a wolf preserve where we’ll see these magnificent animals up-close and learn about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man, and other fascinating facts about this endangered species. We’ll also have the opportunity to see and learn about foxes, bobcat, and lynx that call the preserve home.

What’s included:

This has become an annual tradition for Adventure Untamed! As we enter a new year, we get together, drive to the heart of the largest park in the contiguous United States – Adirondacks – and climb a 46er. 46ers are 46 high peaks of the Adirondacks, each over 4,000 feet tall. We ring in the new year with mountain climbing, games, and great company! Oh, and did we mention a really cozy lodge (actual picture of the lodge above)?

So, how do you plan to say hello to 2027? How do you want to greet the new year? Join us on this beautiful adventure! Our journey will take us on a gorgeous hike of Phelps Mountain. If you are looking for winter scenery, this is the hike for you. The approach goes through forest trails then opens up at Marcy Dam where you are surrounded by high peaks on all sides. At the summit you will find a beautiful, open rock ledge with panoramic views of the Adirondack High Peaks. You will see Mount Marcy, Mount Colden, the Great and MacIntyre Ranges, and on a clear day, views for miles.

It’s a flat-ish start for the first two miles, then a steady climb for the next two and a half to the summit. The hike will feel anywhere between INTERMEDIATE and CHALLENGING, depending on your experience and conditions. But we plan to keep the pace very moderate, to allow for an enjoyable day. If you can do a Catskill 3500 mountain, you can do this peak (as long as the weather cooperates, of course)! We’ll also provide micro spikes, crampons, and/or snowshoes, so you don’t have to worry about traction. And the view from the top is worth the effort! On a clear day, we will be able to see countless mountains in the High Peaks region.

When not hiking, we’ll spend our nights in front of the fireplace at the Adirondack Loj, relaxing and enjoying board games and great conversation.

Experience: Prior winter hiking experience strongly encouraged. Please email us if you don’t have winter hiking experience. Please contact us with any questions at info@adventureuntamed.com. We can help you put together a training plan! This trip is rated INTERMEDIATE due to easier pace, but it may feel more challenging depending on conditions. This trip has CHALLENGING terrain and (sometimes) conditions.

Accommodations: Shared (with our group) loft room at ADK Loj. Limited private rooms available for an extra $100 per night. Please email us at info@adventureuntamed.com with questions and requests.

Food: We will have lunch on the road the first day and the last day. Other than that, all meals are included.

Day 1 (January 1)

We’ll depart at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the Loj we’ll go for a short warm-up hike. On the trail, we’ll discuss winter hiking and layering techniques to set us up for success the next day. After a moderate scramble to the top, gorgeous views of the Adirondacks will open up right in front of us. That evening we’ll enjoy a tasty dinner and and get ready for our climb.

Day 2 (January 2)

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start the summit attempt of Phelps Mountain. We’ll take our time on the trail and make consistent, steady progress, admiring the views. That night, we’ll relax in front of the fire after a delicious dinner!

Day 3 (January 3)

After a good night’s rest, we’ll pack and relax for the leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way. For those interested, we’ll do a short morning hike to ring in the new year!

Cancellation Policies

Join us on a classic climb of the tallest mountain in the Northeast, with an extra challenge of doing it in precarious winter conditions. At 6,288 feet, boasting 4,000 feet of elevation gain over 4 miles, and harsh, unpredictable weather above treeline, this thrilling hike will challenge even experienced hikers.

Our adventure will take us up and down the classic Winter Lion’s Head Route, and we’ll experience everything from forest trails to the heart-pounding climbs up the steep, snow-covered slopes. Finally, we’ll make our way above the treeline and to the exposed summit cone.

If you are lucky enough to summit on a clear day,  you will enjoy gorgeous views of the White Mountains and be able to see as far as Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Experience: This trip is for experienced hikers with prior winter hiking experience. Please contact us at info@adventureuntamed.com for more information. We can help you create a training plan!

Accommodations: 4-person bunk rooms at the Joe Dodge Lodge, 2 nights.

Food: We will have lunch on the road the first day and the last day. Other than that, all meals are included.

Day 1 (February 13)

We’ll depart at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the Joe Dodge Lodge, we’ll go for a short warm-up hike. We’ll test out our gear and learn crampon and ice axe use, as well as the skills to stay warm, dry, and safe in unpredictable winter conditions. After a moderate scramble to the top, gorgeous views of Mt. Washington will open up right in front of us, and you can trace the route you’ll be taking to the summit the next day. That evening we’ll enjoy dinner, do a gear check, and get a good night’s sleep before the summit attempt the following morning.

Day 2 (February 14)

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start the summit attempt of Mount Washington. The snowy terrain will get the blood pumping right away. Be prepared for steep ascents, especially as the day goes on and you enter the Alpine Zone and make your way up the summit cone. Once above the treeline, you may encounter extreme weather, but our guides will be there every step of the way to keep you safe. If the day is clear, winter-wonderland views of the White Mountains will open up at the top. The hike down, with its steep descents, can be just as challenging as the way up. Back at the lodge, we’ll unwind, relax, and have a delicious dinner to celebrate the day’s adventures.

Day 3 (February 15)

After a good night’s rest, we’ll pack up, eat breakfast, and relax for the leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way. You have a choice to sleep in or go on an optional pre-breakfast hike!

Cancellation Policies