Hiking the Catskills provides everything hikers need to plan day hikes in the Catskill region of New York State: a five-county area west of the Hudson River that includes parts of Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Sullivan and Ulster counties. This guide selects 40 hikes from the best among the Catskills' famous peaks above 3,500 feet, as well as more moderate trails to backcountry waterfalls, easier trails to some of the area's most spectacular viewpoints, and rail trails that provide access to fragrant woodlands and unusual geological wonders. This book provides a separate, full-color, detailed map for each hike-making it different from books by the Appalachian and Adirondack Mountain Clubs-and waypoint-by-waypoint directions to guide readers along trails with confidence. Color photos and descriptions of the history, natural wonders, and special features of each hike help readers choose the best hikes for their personal interests and skill levels. In a region largely abandoned by tourists and just now seeing renewed interest from visitors, Hiking the Catskills provides the guidance readers need to plan exciting trips into the mountains. This book leads them to the ridges, notches, and cloves that inspired a uniquely American landscape painting style, the vistas that drew thousands of vacationers here throughout the twentieth century, and the peaks that challenge the most rugged explorers. It's time to rediscover the Catskills, one of New York's most fascinating natural areas.