Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Beacon, New York to Beacon, New York in Hudson Valley & Catskills, New York, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to October: foliage peaks in October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Relaxed — plenty of time to linger at each stop.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Culture, Nature, Food & drink, Classic road trip.

Hudson Valley & Catskills Loop: New York's River and Mountains

Q: How long is the Hudson Valley & Catskills Loop: New York's River and Mountains route?

This route takes 7 days taking in 7 stops.

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The route · 7 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 day trip · 1 stop on the way

Beacon

1 night

The loop's gateway on the Hudson's east bank, an hour north of New York City. Spend the first day at Dia:Beacon, a vast contemporary art museum in a former Nabisco box factory, then walk the long Main Street of galleries and cafes. Hardier visitors hike Mount Beacon for the river view.The loop's gateway on the Hudson's east bank, an hour north of New York City. Spend the first day at Dia:Beacon, a vast contemporary art museum in a former Nabisco box factory, then walk the long Main Street of galleries and cafes. Hardier visitors hike Mount Beacon for the river view.

Recommendations

Day trip from Beacon

2
Cold Spring
A day trip from Beacon: A pocket-sized riverside village hemmed in by the Hudson Highlands. Antique shops and a walkable Main Street lead down to a bandstand on the water facing Storm King Mountain. It is the trailhead for Breakneck Ridge, one of the Northeast's most popular and steepest scrambles, and a short hop from Storm King Art Center.A day trip from Beacon: A pocket-sized riverside village hemmed in by the Hudson Highlands. Antique shops and a walkable Main Street lead down to a bandstand on the water facing Storm King Mountain. It is the trailhead for Breakneck Ridge, one of the Northeast's most popular and steepest scrambles, and a short hop from Storm King Art Center.
Recommendations

On to Hyde Park & Rhinebeck

Hyde Park & Rhinebeck

1 night

The Hudson's grand-estate corridor. Tour two National Park sites in a day: FDR's lifelong home and presidential library, and the opulent Vanderbilt Mansion above the river. Lunch at the Culinary Institute of America, then base in nearby Rhinebeck, a smart village of independent shops, inns and one of America's oldest taverns.The Hudson's grand-estate corridor. Tour two National Park sites in a day: FDR's lifelong home and presidential library, and the opulent Vanderbilt Mansion above the river. Lunch at the Culinary Institute of America, then base in nearby Rhinebeck, a smart village of independent shops, inns and one of America's oldest taverns.

Recommendations

On to Kingston & Woodstock

Kingston & Woodstock

1 night

New York's first capital and the gateway to the Catskills. Walk the colonial stone houses of the Stockade District, then the Rondout Creek waterfront for boat trips and waterside dining. Detour 15 minutes west to Woodstock, the arts colony that lent its name to the 1969 festival.New York's first capital and the gateway to the Catskills. Walk the colonial stone houses of the Stockade District, then the Rondout Creek waterfront for boat trips and waterside dining. Detour 15 minutes west to Woodstock, the arts colony that lent its name to the 1969 festival.

Recommendations

On to Hunter & Tannersville

Hunter & Tannersville

2 nights

The mountain heart of the loop, worth two nights. Hike to Kaaterskill Falls, one of New York's tallest waterfalls, and the Hudson River School viewpoints around North-South Lake. Hunter Mountain runs a scenic skyride and zip line, and the Mountain Cloves byway is glorious when the foliage turns.The mountain heart of the loop, worth two nights. Hike to Kaaterskill Falls, one of New York's tallest waterfalls, and the Hudson River School viewpoints around North-South Lake. Hunter Mountain runs a scenic skyride and zip line, and the Mountain Cloves byway is glorious when the foliage turns.

Recommendations

On to Hudson

Hudson

1 night

An antiques-and-art town on the river's east bank with a mile-long Warren Street of design shops and restaurants. The draw above town is Olana, the Persian-style estate of painter Frederic Church, with framed views across to the Catskills. Thomas Cole's home sits just over the river in Catskill.An antiques-and-art town on the river's east bank with a mile-long Warren Street of design shops and restaurants. The draw above town is Olana, the Persian-style estate of painter Frederic Church, with framed views across to the Catskills. Thomas Cole's home sits just over the river in Catskill.

Recommendations

On the way

Beacon
Quick stop
Close the loop with the scenic run back down the Hudson's east side from Hudson to Beacon, about an hour and a quarter. Drop the car and catch the train back to New York City from Beacon's riverside station.Close the loop with the scenic run back down the Hudson's east side from Hudson to Beacon, about an hour and a quarter. Drop the car and catch the train back to New York City from Beacon's riverside station.
Recommendations

Hudson Valley & Catskills Loop: New York's River and Mountains