West on Route 23A

Some of the most dramatic scenery in the Catskills [1] lies west of Route 32 on Route 23A. For about four miles, between Palenville and Haines Falls, the road winds steeply up nearly 1,500 feet, past craggy cliffs and rocky streams, forested walls and outstanding views. The incline continues at a gentler angle between Haines Falls and Hunter [2], then levels out to run along Schoharie Creek.

Not to be missed is the view from the Catskill Mountain House site, just east of Haines Falls. The site can be reached by hiking the Escarpment Trail or by driving into North-South Lakes Campground and walking a short distance to the edge of the Great Wall of Manitou. From here, the whole world seems to lie at your feet. Straight ahead, in the distance, are the gray-blue Taconic and Berkshire Mountains; below is the Hudson, shrunk to a slim silver line.

The view is perhaps best described in James Fenimore Cooper’s The Pioneers, one of his Natty Bumppo tales: “’What see you when you get there?’ asked Edwards. ‘Creation!’ said Natty,…’all creation, lad.’”