Overlook Mountain Reviews

A nice 5 mile hike (2.5 miles each way). Great views at the top from the fire tower and overlooking the Hudson Valley.

Well I cannot say much for the views since when I hiked up to the top I was in a cloud!! Even for a cloudy day this hike was great!! I had no idea that there was an old ruins of a hotel from prior to WWII. Super fun to explore the old hotel for a bit. Read about the sad history of it, but it was still a nice suprise. The fire tower at the top is awesome!!!! There are picnic tables at the top and a nice ranger station. Sat up there and ate my lunch before the hike back down. Apparently there are Timber Rattlesnakes in the area, I did not see any but I still kep my dog nearby. A must hike. I will return again on a clear day to see the view!

Parked the car on the parking lot of the monastery without problems, and climbed the trail. Overall the bottom part is very icy in the winter, so good shoes absolutely required. Hiked for 2 miles uphill to the Mountain House and its ruins, did not continue all the way to the fire tower.
Would recommend to bring walking sticks or grab one of the wooden sticks left behind by other hikers in the parking lot. Warm and anti-slip shoes! Wish there was a mulled wine or hot chocolate stand up there, they would make a fortune.

Good long hike for the first one of the season! Not very busy for a Friday in early May. Weather was hot and probably should have had more water. Restrooms at the top were a pleasant surprise. Old hotel about 2/3 up was a neat spot with lots of good picture opportunities.

I have been hiking in the Catskills for decades, but no one peak offers so much as Overlook. From the tower to the ruins, this hike has it all. The timber rattlesnakes only add to the fun. Arrive early to get parking - the lot fills up by about 10 AM.

It is a 2.5 mile hike up a gravel path to the summit. It is listed on the Catskills hiking trails site as "easy" and I'm not sure I totally agree with it. The path is certainly level and you don't have to climb around but it is fairly steep the whole way up! Around mile 2 there are ruins from an old hotel that were fun to explore. Apparently there are a lot of rattlesnakes but we didn't see any. There is a fire tower at the summit that you can climb for even more breathtaking views.

This is your classic climb the mountain hike. Takes energy and persistence but it isn't brutal. A lot of up hill. Then you get to the top, climb the tower and get a great 360 view. My 13-year-old daughters were complaining at the beginning, like most teenagers. One even threw herself to the ground in an exaggerated way to show how tired she was. But soon they got into it and felt really good getting to the top. It was just hard enough to make them feel like they accomplished something but not so awful that they wanted to turn back. It got a little hairy for me near the top--heart started racing a bit, but the top came soon enough. Worth a hike when it's not to hot.

Our go to hike with our dog up Overlook Mountain. What would make it much better for novices and seniors would be some kind of places to sit along the long walk from the parking lot to the abandoned hotel, and also from the hotel to the fire tower at the top. Definitely need good shoes, either hiking shoes or something with support because of the surface. There are many stones and ruts on the way to the top. Once you get there, it's a perfect place to picnic and enjoy the views that span many, many miles.

A view straight out of a picture. Drive or hike up the mountain for fresh air and a view you soon won't forget.

Hike was pretty tough, very steep all the way, but once you reach 5o the top,there are some beautiful views

Overlook Mountain is one of the best and easiest mountain hiking attractions located just outside of town in Woodstock which gives you a glorious view of the beautiful Hudson Valley in a relatively easy and short spurt...soooo beautiful in October when the foliage is in its full splendor. Easy parking at the bottom, and across from the parking area is a super beautiful Tibetan Monastery that you can visit (quietly) after your hike to keep you in a blissful and zen space.
If you bush whack the trails, there are some incredible sweet spots heading up to Overlook where you can enjoy the brooks and gorgeous nature while listening to amazing sounds of the birds.
Great stop while in Woodstock or in your travels on the way further up North. Enjoy the views!

Be prepared for a 2.5 mile hike straight up the mountain. Not for out-of-shape. But once you get to the top - the views are amazing. Don't forget to climb to the top of the fire tower! And keep an eye on the trail for timber rattlers. They say there are a community of 75 on the mountain.

Overlook Mountain was described to us as the quintessential Woodstock thing to do. The path up is a wide carriage road, full of ruts, but mainly a cleared wide road. I was surprised at how steep the walk up was. It was very tiring and steep. But my jubilation at reaching the top made it all worth it. Supposedly there is a beautiful view of the Hudson River valley from the top, but thick clouds obscured any view for us that day. The abandoned old hotel ruins are very fun-lots of space to look at and Kodak moments. I recommend this hike if you are in reasonably good shape.

Perfect place for a day hike. Vista of Hudson River breathtaking. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys beautiful settings and a fabulous hike!

Overlook Mountain is a the beautiful centerpiece of Ulster County. The hike up the fire road to the fire tower is a long and steady climb, passing the ruins of an old hotel. The views at the top are worth the moderate level hike -- you can see three states!

This hike is not for the out-of-shape. It is a serious uphill walk on a steep grade for a few miles. The walk up is not very interesting and there will be quite a few other people walking with you- it is a road by the way. The pay off is the view at the top, I just don't know if I would do this hike very often. Kaaterskill Falls is a much better local hike with a better payoff for smaller work.

Fire tower is definitely worth seeing. Make sure you go up the tower....breathtaking view. Expect 1h of hiking up at a good steady pace. With all the fall colours, October is a great time to visit.

Wonderful exercise and scenery.
Spent a few nights in the shadow of overlook mountain and they say you are hooked for life.

The trip up Overlook is a steady, unrelenting climb. The path is wide and clear, so easy footing, but it is steadily uphill. Ignore the folks jogging up - they are regulars and in great shape - and just keep going. When you get almost to the top you can explore the remains/ruins of one of the hotels that once glorified those mountain tops, and continue on to the Fire Tower. Yes, it is worth climbing the stairs. The view of the surrounding mountains goes on for many miles and will reward your persistence handsomely!!

Overlook is beautiful. It takes a lot of physical effort to get up there, but when you do, it is a site to be seen! If you don’t like hiking or want a easy hike, this is not the hike for you. But if you’re willing to get up there, I’d recommend it!
FYI, the parking lot is always full and there is nowhere else to park, so get there early!

Great trails but not easy. Not for the inexperienced. Beautiful views and good facilities for emergency bathroom at the bottom but very little parking

On our way up the trail from the parking area we walked with a slightly older couple who were sporting a bunch of patches from the ADK and Catskills. It turned out that they were fire tower volunteers. We spent the better part of an hour checking out the Mountain House. Then when we got to the fire tower, the volunteers were opening up the cabin and the top of the tower. The exhibits in the cabin were awesome. The views from the tower are the best. The oldest date that I saw carved into the cliff was 1913.

What a climb! This is a jeep trail, so it is not rough and rugged but you should still be fairly physically fit to make the 1,500 ascension to the top without numerous stops and some grumbling. The trail itself it rather pretty and some people have made small rock sculptures along the way. The firetower is officially the top of the mountain, but the Overlook Mountain House ruins were the highlight for us, perhaps because it was windy and cold 3,000 feet above sea level. Whatever the reason, we spent most of our time taking photographs and wandering around the remains of the hotel, guesthouse, and foundations. If you plan to go, plan on it taking up at least 3-4 hours.This would probably be a difficult trek to do with small children in tow unless you are prepared to carry them back down the mountain when they tire.

Easy hike and you're rewarded with stunning views. Good for children also. We hiked up the trail with my son when he was younger.

A hike up Overlook Mountain is a great way to spend a few hours in the morning. Be sure to bring plenty of water and use the bathroom in the village of Woodstock before venturing up. There are no facilities at the trail head, nor are there facilities on any point of your hike. There is indeed an overlook and a fire tower with majestic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskills, and on my last hike the only thing making any noise nearby was a white-tailed deer.

We started the day in the town of Woodstock, meandering around checking out the local shops. Then drove to the mountain which is just 5 miles outside of town. It was a busy day so there wasn't much parking. Easy to find, as everyone has stated the parking area is right across the street from the monastery. It is definitely a 2.5 mile hike up hill the entire way. Brings lots of water and take your time, once you reach the top you'll feel it was totally worth it. The views are amazing. At the top there is a small trail to the right of the guard shack if you follow it out, it brings you to a small clearing with a huge flat rock to sit on and enjoy the view.

There is also a watch tower. You are allowed to climb the stairs to the top. It is a tower so it does sway alittle as you climb to the top. You should watch the number of people on it at a time, just to be safe.

What a great little town Woodstock is for a day visit.

My husband and I hiked up Overlook Mountain the day before my 50th birthday. It was the second hike of the day with a morning hike up Kaaterskill Falls which is nearby. I hike often but I am by no means experienced and this was a tough but worthwhile hike. It is 2.5 miles straight up to the old hotel ruins and then another half mile up to the summit. There are really no flat spots, it's just up, up and up. The hotel ruins are really great, creepy and neat at the same time. The views from the top are absolutely stunning both at the lookout and from the fire tower. My recommendations would be to bring plenty of water for the hike, stop as often as needed on the way up and bring your camera for the views at the top!

The hike itself was very boring until you get to the hotel. The path is wide and steep with not much of a view before that. It is neat to see the hotel ruins along the way. The views from the top were nothing until you climbed the tower or went to the ledge past the little "visitor's center." The tower was great and we were able to take our time because there wasn't a group waiting to come up while we were there. We only had to wait a few minutes on the bottom before we went up for the other group to come down (only 6 people allowed on the tower at a time). The volunteer at the top was very nice and knowledgeable in regard to other great hikes in the area too. I recommend this hike. It is pretty steep, but fairly easy and short compared to other hikes in the area with that good of a view.

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Woodstock area. It is steep as all get out, but the reward is remarkable. Kids have an easier time scrambling up than I do, but I still love it as an adult. It is a wide path that narrows at the summit and meanders in different directions. You can walk through or around the old Mountainhouse, very cool. Then wander up to the tippy top and check out the fire tower and timber rattler(s).
Parking is limited so get there early.

A very cool, beautiful mountain with great views and interesting homes. Didn't get to hike on the trails, which I hear are phenomenal. Next time. We'll be back

Did this hike last fall and thoroughly enjoyed it. The path up the mountain is steep but steady. No rocks or stairs to climb. Just a steady grade. I was a little out of shape and weighed down by all the bacon I had at breakfast. Near the top, take a break and enjoy exploring the ruins of an old hotel. Persevere a little further and you'll make it to the summit, a great spot for a picnic! Bring lunch! Very cool fire tower to climb for an even better view of Ulster County, Ashokan Resevoir and the city of Kingston. I'm a local, I could spot my neighborhood from on top. Very beautiful vista at the top. Well worth the steep carriage road. If you want a view to enjoy the Hudson Valley, don't miss this!!

Moderate boring hike up dirt road. great views on top.
nicer hikes in the area. very conviniant if in woodstock

Went for a walk today - we are a slow family. Made it to the hotel ruin in 45 min from parking lot, and to the fire tower (from parking lot) in 1 hour 15 min (including spending some time exploring the ruin). Took about an hour or less to come down. Some parts of the path was very icy. Quite a few people slipped.

The view from the scenic look out point is breathtaking, one can see the Hudson Valley and all the way to the Hudson River and the reservoir. On the fire tower, you can see a 360 view of Catskill and Hudson Valley. It's windy and very cold on the tower, But one can only spend a few minutes on the tower anyway. It's worth the climb up the tower.

Absolutely worth every second. Hike is moderately difficult if you're not in good shape - basically a steep uphill walk the entire 2.5 mile trail.

Stunning view at the top - even if this was a 5 mile trail it would still be worth it.

Takes it's toll on your knees on the way down.

My wife and I are not seasoned hikers but we go to the gym regularly. This 2.5 mile walk was fairly strenuous, taking us about 1.5 hours up with a stop at the hotel ruins on the way, and 1 hour down. Most people seem to spend about 3 hours total. The views are nice but it's not the Swiss Alps, so I can't give it a 5 (sorry). Bring water. Kids seemed to have no problem doing this hike.

This hike is great! We started out on a somewhat rainy morning and when we got to the top, the sun was peeking out and made for the most amazing pictures. It is basically all uphill the entire way but so worth it. You can see for miles and to go at this time of year was amazing. The colors for the foliage was unbelievable.

The walk up is a bit steep but take your time as it's well worth the effort. The view from the lookout and up top of the tower is breathtaking. Great photo opportunity so take a camera.

If you travel to Woodstock, NY you should take the time to travel to the base of Overlook
Mountain. It's quite a ride up the mountain to the parking lot. You can walk up the road
to where the old Mt. House use to be and then walk over to the fire tower. It will take
you about 2 hours. Once your there the views are outstanding. I use to take my Girl
Scout troupe up about twice a year. It's an easy hike for most people. Hope you go
and enjoy yourself.

For the inexperience hiker, like me,this was a very strenuous hike up 2.5 mile. There are almost no plateaus. Mostly straight up.

Most of this hike is an old Jeep road, so it is very easy to navigate. I once hiked this under a full moon and it was magical. When you get to the top, there is a fire tower, but if you go past the tower, there is a wonderful ledge to sit on and you can see the whole valley from there. Excellent picnic spot!

Not easy by any means like some others are stating but it is well worth it! It's completely uphill for 2.5 miles and fairly steep at certain parts so there was a lot of stopping. I brought my two kids 10 & 11 and didn't get too many complaints. We hiked up and down in 4 hours total but an hour of that was having our picnic and just hanging out at the too seeing the views. Great place will do it again in the fall! Oh and all the other hikers are so friendly! Not crowded but everyone we saw said hi or how are you etc

Read other reviewers to learn about the hike up Overlook and the breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley from the top. They've got younger knees than I have. Below Overlook, in the famous little town called Woodstock, I am perennially gobsmacked by this magnificent mountain. Legend has it that the native people who lived in the settlement that morphed into Woodstock said if you sleep in the shadow of this magical mountain for three nights, you will move here. And they said that if you move away, you will be drawn back by Overlook's magic. I am a living testament to both parts of the legend. After calling Woodstock home for ten years and declaring that the only way I was leaving this village was "in a body bag," I moved 150 miles away to be near family. Less than two years later, I moved back. Back because I kept visiting Woodstock, and my heart ached every time I had to drive away. Overlook is pure magic, from both the top and the bottom. Experience the magic by visiting Woodstock, with or without hiking boots. You'll sense it, I promise. Just remember that if you sleep here for three nights in a row, you may be in for a lifestyle change.

As real hiking goes this is a steep, but short hike. If you balance the view vs. effort this is the best hike you can do! The views are spectacular! Use the fire tower if it is open (usually on the weekend)

If you're into hiking and have a half-day then definitely check out Overlook Mountain! Our hike started off on a gravel service road that provides a rather lengthy gradual incline. As you get higher up of course the wind generally picks up pretty well. There's a bit of trail hiking in the mix as well. It took our group about a half day when all was said and done. There's an area to hang out at the top with tables and places to sit. Be advised that it can get foggy up at the top and, as previously mentioned, it's generally windy.

Oh, I grew up in the Catskills and still find the area to be one of the most beautiful in the world. I am currently in India but when I return to the States I will make my home there once again, what greater review can one give?

I have visited Overlook for years and NEVER have experienced such crowds as during the lockdown. Saw plates from many states so guess people come for the day. Still, a beautiful place and challenging hike with a reward at the end

Visit the shrine at the Buddhist Temple (visitors are welcome!) and then take the 2.5 mile trail up past the old resort ruins and to the Fire Tower (climb the tower...a little intimidating, but worth it!). The guides and cabin at the summit are informative and welcoming. You might see a snake or two (we did!), but they are less interested in you than you are in them!

Some earlier reviews made this hike sound super strenuous. Nope, I'd call it moderately hard especially if you're not in primo shape, but it's very achievable.
Our group of moderately conditioned 60 somethings, took it a bit easier on the first half of a sunny day, with a few sit down drink and water breaks. I actually found it got easier towards the top. No snakes and it's a steady climb on an easy gravel "road" vs. insane steep inclines and switchbacks that are classified as strenuous at other hikes I've done.
Took us about 1.5 hours to get to the top which is soooo worth the effort. Beautiful views around and there was some very pleasant park staff and volunteers at the top cheering us on and providing folks with M&Ms. Would would've thunk that?
There's a water tower at the top that gives you and even better view of the area but I only went up 1/2 way due to some crazy thing with heights. Others scaled the rest of the tower and oooed and awed up there.
There's also another viewing area of the valley from the top, that doesn't involve towers and it's also a must see.
The burned hotel on the way up is interesting but outweighed by the beauty described above.
Be sure to stop buy the Buddhist monastery at the base of the trail. The main building itself is stunning as are some of the contents. Added bonus, for sure!
One hour for walk down. I found that part pretty easy.
Enjoy!

This is a GOOD HIKE. I was definitely sore for 2 days after. You get to see some cool ruins and the fire tower at the top has incredible views. Where good shoes and watch the weather. Have fun!

Nice hike, moderate climb, really nice views. Bring a camera. The abandoned hotel is fun to explore.

The Catskills is one of the best riding in the Northeast. If you haven't had the chance to ride, I highly recommend.

Amazing view, worth the effort, we headed to the old hotel then the overlook view via the fire tower.

Great views and an interesting ruined hotel about 3/4 the way up. You can climb the fire tower but not for those with vertigo. The outlook rock has wonderful views. Its about 1 /12 hour walk up and quite an easy walk.

This is a hike, not a stroll, but it is certainly not the most difficult trail in the Catskills. I'd recommend hiking boots, as there are some steep, rocky sections. The views are amazing, especially if you are brave enough to climb the rather rickety fire tower. Like most Catskill trails, there are no amenities along the way, so be sure to take plenty of water and snacks.

Went here during a long weekend with friends. Unfortunately it was late March and the entire mountain was still covered in snow. But despite that it was still an enjoyable hike with great views to see

Hike gets easier after 1.5 miles. View is worth the effort. Initial hike is steep. Bring enough food and water. Fire tower is scary. Total trip time was 3:45 min with group of friends. Total time may differ.

Parking at trailhead can be a bit tight. Not a casual stroll. This is a steep steady 2.5 mile climb with beautiful views of the area. Simple to follow gravel road straight to the top.
Be sure to allow at least 3 hours.Brink water! Along with the proper clothing and footwear!

What a beautiful hike and site. I'd recommend going on a clear not to hot day with great visibility.

Easy hike to the abandoned hotel and then to the firetower. Even our 5 years old was able to make it quite quickly despite significant altitude gain (although he got tired and fell asleep as soon as he got back into the car :) ).
A lot of fun exploring the abandoned hotel. Fascinating to see how the nature reclaims the grounds. And there is a small pool with frogs, fun for kids and dogs.
0.5 mile further is the Fire tower that you can climb up and see for miles around. Truly fantastic experience. There are 3 picnic tables and even a grill. Totally unexpected, we'd probably bring something to grill otherwise.
Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to try to get to Echo lake, and in any case it'd have been difficult for the little one, but next time for sure.

It's easy to find the trailhead - just ask anyone in Woodstock. Wrap up warm enough, it's always much colder as you climb, and be prepared for a long steady hike. The view at the top goes on for miles and miles and miles........

We regularly walk 3 min a couple times a week and shorter walks in addition. Glad for the shape we were in to handle this hike. It wasn't the length, it was the incline but well worth the effort. Also glad that we went early. No crowds on the path or at the top and less heat and humidity than on our trek down.

I really like to go with the family it's a gorges and walking there on nice Paths and nice views all around were ever you look around its amazing place too visit a even a couple of tmes and just like it again

I CONQUERED OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN!

One morning, at 6:30AM, I decided to hike Overlook Mountain and get some photos. The trail is five miles round trip. The description says it is “an ascent on a wide stone path with decent grade to get the blood pumping.” I am 56, and, ‘not in shape’ is an understatement. A few times, people younger (and some older) and in better shape passed me. A couple of dogs passed me. I think I saw a turtle closing in on me as I passed the three quarter mark. Nevertheless, I made it! All 3,140 feet (plus 60 more feet up the (very windy) fire tower) to a stunning vista of the valley below. I also passed the ruins of the never completed redesigned ‘new’ Overlook Mountain House. Whew! 'Wow' is all I can say about the views! The ruins are amazing and I can't help but wonder how elegant this place would have been if finished. While the trail Is a bit strenuous, if I could make it up there, practically ANYONE can make it up there.

Oh, I forgot to mention the timber rattlers; there are warning signs because they are there (I didn't see any) Didn't find Bigfoot, either.

The views at the top make the hike up worth it! The old ruins are beautiful, they come out of nowhere. But you must continue up to the top of the fire tower. You will not be disappointed!

You won't find any switchbacks to get you gently up the mountain here. This is a constant uphill trek and worth every step. We climbed the fire tower and stood on the stairs just below the locked top level to gaze at the fantastic 360º view. We were glad we brought wind-breaking jackets so we could comfortably spend some time on the tower.

The view is all it is cracked up to be. The hiking trail is rocky and has quite an elevation change, but easily hiked. The old hotel ruins are surprising and an interesting addition to the hike. If you are in the area and have the time, I HIGHLY recommend taking this 5-mile round-trip hike.

A good Saturday hike...2.5 miles with nice elevation change to the top. Beautiful views and an abandoned hotel along the way give it a nice mix. We did it in the snow, probably easier and less slippery when it’s just gravel.

Overlook Mountain is gorgeous! Make sure to wear good hiking shoes or boots, bring water and a camera.

Nice walk on gravel and wide enough for a vehicle. Not recommended for people that are not active or have heart/lung disease ect because of the areas with steep hills. The walk up does have areas that level off to a mild elevation and large rocks to sit on and take a break.

Bring a lunch there are picnic tables. An old fire tower to climb adn get a better view. Carry in carry out no place for garbage. There is an outhouse up there, bring tissues/sanitizer with you just in case.

The view from the top is absolutely incredible and worth the hike. The abandoned hotel was quite interesting to see and made for a brief respite before reaching the top. I found the hike up easy enough, but the coming down more treacherous. It's a rocky path with lots of loose gravel (to slip on) and bigger rocks (to trip over) but I managed to get down safely and did not see any rattlesnakes. On that note, I was glad the path was wide, so I could stay away from the edges. There are warning signs about rattle snakes and I was not interested in meeting one. The fire tower at the top is worth the climb for the views, but for sure, don't miss the view from the rocks behind the hut on the other side of the summit. Also there is a picnic table at the top for a little rest\water\snack break.

We did it all within 4 hours! We started at the big parking lot (an extra .07 miles hike) and stopped to take pictures of the hotel ruins, climb the fire tower, and take in the view from the overlook. After the hike we went across the street to the Monastery and right next to that, the Transfiguration Church for a quick look. Do it! You won't regret it!

It's not really a hike in strenuous way. It has beautiful sights to see, and a short 3 miles to the top of the oversight section. One of my favorite outdoor activities

Overlook mountain is not one of the tallest in Catskills, but definitely one with the some of the best views.
The hike is not challenging, trail (the old fire road) is quite easy to walk and there are numerous attractions on the way up: ruins of old hotel, plenty of flowers and mushrooms, chipmunks and occasional deer.
There is also and old fire tower in a good condition with a breathtaking views from the top.

The views from our property are beautiful and calming and our "DreamCatcher Cottage" guests hike the trails and love the breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

My husband and I went on this hike at the beginning of July on a holiday weekend. The walk up the trail is a constant incline, but the trail is excellently well maintained, and you are essentially hiking on a gravel road the entire time. There is no concern for getting lost on the way to the summit. At the top there is an incredibly scenic overlook of the Hudson Valley and other Catskills peaks, and there is also a firetower to enhance your view. (There are portable toilets at the trailhead and a privy at the top as well.) My husband and I are in our mid-30s and in pretty decent shape, and we found the ascent to be a bit taxing only in the sense that you are constantly ascending; there are minimal to no flat spots. However, as the title of my review suggests, the output you get for only mild to moderate input is breathtaking in the views at the top. Bring a backpack with water and a lunch for the top and enjoy the incredible views.

A steady hike that we did with our 9 & 13 yr olds, albeit with lots of stops, up and down, but it was worth it!. The old mountain hotel is fascinating and worth a careful explore and the kids loved it. The views from the outlook area are stunning. Wear proper shoes ( we saw some crazy people doing the hike in flip flops?!), take some energy snacks and water and watch out for the beautiful rattle snakes - we came across one on the path right in front of us.

This is a nice moderate 2.5 mile hike uphill on a very cleared up and wide trail. It was a very special hike because... I proposed to my fiancée up there! She was thrilled and we were both happy. It was a good pick and even with fog instead of sunshine it felt right. Anyways, I don't hike too often but am fairly fit and it was a nice workout and of course a special memory :)

Go on a cloudy day as there isn't much shade for the majority of the walk. Go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. It's a long long slog but the ruins and the view at the top are so good. There's a tower and a cliff overlook after the tower. Both incredible. We spent a while at the ruins also which really made the walk worth it. The best thing we did on our vacation. It will take maybe an hour to get up and an hour down if you are a normal person and not in great shape. Spend an extra half hour in the ruins and at the two views.

Across the street is a temple that is worth a couple minutes to look at. Also at the same parking lot as this trail head is a short trail for the temple that I do recommend. It's a 2 minute walk that ends in a lake that has a bunch of temple decorations strewn around.

Good easy to get to hike--not too hard for average hiker. Great view at the top looking our over Hudson Valley.

Tough even for fit couple wearing packs. Took us 53 mins to ascend the 2.5 mile uphill trek. Good shoes are a must. Had some blisters after due to the unrelenting descent. I would recommend hiking poles for this one if you have them.

We hiked on a day with dense fog so I cannot comment on the views.

Everyone will really love overlook mountain....eight to eighty .just check the beautifull Catskill mountains out from another terrific location in Woodstock! You,ll then wonder why you have not packed your bags ....Woodstock rocks 🚵🏼

This mountain houses the original Art Colony, Byrdcliffe, There is a train to the summit from which you can see 5 states.

.It is relatively simple for hardy individuals and worth the effort

Nice modearatly steep Jeep road. Great views on top wher you can climb the old fire tower. In shape you can climb it in 50 minutes. Out of shape in 100 minutes.

For a better hike try hike from Spruceton road to Hunter Mountain fire tower.

A gentle gradient, just a couple miles each way, and a great overlook to stop for lunch. It took us ~3 hrs there and back. My parents loved it. The views are spectacular.

Like other reviews have said the trail to the fire tower is about a 2.5 mile uphill hike. The trail itself is boring- just an old gravel carriage road. However once you reach close to the top you see the Overlook Mountain House- an abandoned hotel built in the 1920s. Just a little further up and you'll reach the fire tower. Those without acrophobia can climb up the tower and get a gorgeous 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and valley below. There's also a stunning scenic view down the trail behind the outhouse.

The hike was a long continuous uphill stint. Surrounded by nature and hidden under the canopy of lush leaves. It took about an hour when we neared the top. There is a beautiful ruins of a hotel there at the top. Walking around inside reminded me of a scene from Ever After where the lovers meet in the ruins. I felt just like Drew Barrymore who played Cinderella. One more short walk and we reached the ranger's cabin and the firetower. I made it about halfway up the tower before getting too scared (or maybe lazy). We sat down at the picnic table and had some tasty snacks. I highly reccomend some kind of reward once you reach the top. We walked behind the ranger's cabin to the beautiful overlook peak. You could see for miles and miles, all kinds of mountains and birds flying. It was truly a beautiful hike.

The trail leading to the top of Overlook Mountain is approx. 2.5 miles long and features mild incline entire way. The surrounding area consists of natural forest, bubbling creeks and random rock formations. The panoramic view from the mountain is worth the climb alone, but the nature along the trek is equally breathtaking. There are also interesting ruins of a fire ravaged inn from a bygone
era up top. I would highly recommend this hike in any season.

This was a continuous ascent for 2+ miles. For that it was challenging. There weren't any views until you got to the hotel 2 miles up. Its basically a road. The view is nice at the top. There is a small ledge. I hoped there was more to look at.

My husband, baby, dog, and I hiked to the Overlook summit (about 2.5 miles from the parking lot) and part of the way to Echo Lake (2 miles from main trail). There is only one trail for the first two miles, so there are a lot of people the whole way. It's a wide, gravel path with little tree cover. Although the hike is easy, with no rocks to skip across or areas that require climbing, it is a consistently steep incline the whole way up, so quite a workout. The view at the top is breathtaking, and the remnants of the old Overlook Mountain House are cool. The trail to Echo Lake was a thinner, quieter path with more tree cover - much more similar to other mountain hikes. Overall, we had a great day, but we would not go out of our way to come back to this mountain.

It is worth the hard work to the top. It's much busier now than it used to be, so I would go off season. The views are stunning!

Me and some friends went for the day mid April, surprised to find knee deep snow but it was worth trekking through it to get to the top. Bring water and take breaks but end result is worthwhile.

We loved the view at the end and also seeing the abandoned building on the way up and the fire tower at the top. However, no views on the way up, just a long and consistent forest track with little interest.

Good to get to the Catskills for a couple of days and see some scenery different to home but think we are spoilt for walking options at home and didn't come across any walks in the Catskills that really wowed.

Took forever to get up there but once I did it was amazing! Totally worth the climb. My dog loved the hike to!

I come up here at least once if not twice a year. Great 2.5 mile hike up. Beautiful views at the top and an abandoned hotel 3 quarters the way up. 2.5 mile walk down. Across from a Buddhist Monestary. Love coming up here.

You can't go wrong with a classic. We took the dogs who aren't much for hiking and they loved it. Same with kids or those who aren't in the best shape. A lot of people have issue with the power lines, which I never find obtrusive. If you are a runner, this is an amazing run (I ran uphill with one of my dogs). There's an old, burned down hotel towards the end of the trail. Just creepy and very Walking Dead awesome. Look up its history, it is facinating. This isn't for those seeking the extreme. It is a fun hike in nature to see an amazing view. But, there is a fork in the road to a Lake. That hike is challenging and beautiful.

The trail hike is about 2.5 miles each way and pretty much a constant incline. Not for the faint of heart but it is an absolutely beautiful trek up to the fire tower. The views from along the way and especially the top are breath taking (no pun intended!) and some of the best in the Catskills. Pack a picnic lunch, a camera and plenty of water. If you are going on a weekend plan to arrive early as parking can be tough.

I know people have different abilities, and I consider our family of seven (kids ranging in age from 22 to 8) to be in better than average shape. This 2.5 mile hike is definitely worth the time and energy because the views at the top defy words. However, this is not an easy hike. The trail itself is easy to manage but it is straight uphill - the entire hike. My 8 year old struggled but an adrenaline rush at the top cured her woes. Just remember, you have to walk back down, which can be tough on the knees!!

On to the trail. It is simply amazing. You will see the hotel ruins along the way and the fire tower is at the top. Simply breathtaking.

Nick was one of the best tour guides ever. His command of the historical information was phenomenal. Great side stories mixed with just enough humor. I highly recommend the tour. Be sure to stay on the Canadian side to enjoy all of the attractions. Trip included a boat ride to the falls and vists from every angle.

very easy trail, so a bit crowded in summer but pleasant nevertheless. winter is always quiet.
beautiful view from the fire tower.
Timber rattle snakes in summer so stay on the trail. been there several times without any problem though.

We did the 2.5 mile hike to the fire tower. Round trip took us three hours. My husband is very fit and I am not so I took the steep uphill very slowly and paced myself. By that night, it was painful to move my legs and the muscle soreness continued into the next day. The steep stony fire path doesn't offer much interest or beauty.

That said, the view from the top is spectacular. The abandoned hotel is really interesting. We spent the morning on the hike and then stopped at the temple on our return before going to lunch in Woodstock. It's worth it and even with the (literal) pain in the butt you feel like you have gotten a worthwhile and free workout with a breathtaking payoff at the top.

Hike that is uphill for long periods of time, but it is an old carriage road so you don't have to climb up rocks/steps (which was easier on my knees). Really cool skeleton of a hotel up top, then incredible views of the Hudson Valley on a clear day, even if you don't want to climb the fire tower up top. Definitely worth it!

It was a great hike into the mountains. Gorgeous views with stunning scenery to make for some really good pictures.

2 miles straight up a mostly gravel road. Not a difficult or technical hike but it is a non stop climb so you will feel it. Don't underestimate it because the hike is rated easy on trail guides. Also - yes, there are rattlesnakes!. But the view at the top is worth it.

Not for out of shape but a most rewarding experience! Hard on legs and calf muscles during the descent but definitely worth the climb for the view from the top!

Pls don't use GPS LOCATION provided, use Meads Mountain Rd address for parking. Its about 2.5 miles of hike to the Fire Tower. Allow about an hour to go up including photo stops.

I went there for a couple times with family and friends. The view at the top is phenomenal and so beautiful. The hike is relatively easy for everyone. I'll go back there again!

This 5-mile out-and-back hike has a few very unique features that make it well worth adding to you list. One is an abandoned hotel about 2 miles into the hike. The hotel burned down not once but twice, but a good portion of the stone walls remain. We happened to hike it on a misty day and the ruins were totally eerie in the filtered light. At the top of the mountain you’ll find a fire tower that is open to the public, so the brave can get an even better panoramic view from the top. My one critique of this hike is that the trail up isn’t that scenic. Most of the trek up is on a wide gravel track without much wildlife to enjoy. The hotel and fire tower are so cool though, that it makes the uninspiring first leg worth it.

This is perhaps the most continually strenuous hike I've ever been on. Relentless elevation climb. Stunning views from the fire tower.

Yes the climb up the mountain is difficult and the views wonderful, but be aware of the parking situation. there is one small parking lot which fills up quickly especially on the weekends. And I guess you can park in the Buddhist Monastery too. BUT do not park along the fence which hugs the road near the parking lot. The police (thank you officer Jiminian) handed out not one but two tickets to every car parked along the fence (there may have been 20 cars that received tickets. The first was for obstructing traffic (possibly true, although cars were able to pass easily) and the second ticket for failing to obey signs (which were upon observation hidden and out of site). So the Woodstock police force did it's best to ruin the day of many hikers by ticketing them (cost $25 a ticket and no place to plead not-guilty on the ticket). I did my best to warn other drivers who were about to park and possibly saved 5 cars from getting tickets. Yes thanks again officer Jiminian.

I recently went back to hike overlook mountain in Woodstock . It's great to fit in when you're visiting the area since you can do the loop trail from the Tibetan monastery parking lot in under 4 hrs . It's considered a relatively easy hike but still realize the entire way up is exactly that . Up. But it's only 21/2 miles . The hike is well worth it as you reach an abandoned hotel which I found to be amazing. There is talk of trying to preserve and regulate the ruins so go soon while you can still explore without limits . A short walk past the ruins you reach the summit where an old fire tower stands . The views are beautiful and the icing on the cake is after a quick walk all downhill you get to go back into town for a celebratory beer and lunch in charming Woodstock town . I loved overlook and recommend it to all level of hikers .

Great hike and fantastic view from the top. Can see the entire Hudson Valley from the peak. A must stop in Woodstock area

Great hike. 2.5 miles all uphill with 1400 feet elevation. Stay home if you don't want to sweat. There's a really cool ruined hotel at the 2 mile mark, and the fire tower at the top of the mountain affords some really nice views of the surrounding mountains.

One tip: walk slowly! We rushed a bit up the mountain and paid for it the next three days with sore calfs and hips. Beautiful views and wildlife (pretty sure I saw a Bald Eagle!). Climb the fire tower on top of the mountain if you are not too afraid of heights (and wind). Ruins of hotels from 1820-1940's are great to see too. But go easy because this is a steep climb.

My husband and two sons and I hiked to the top on a beautiful February day. The temperature was in the high 60s. We enjoyed it very much. The ruins of the old hotel at the top were very interesting. Definitely would go back. The trail itself was nice and wide. It was a little icy since it was February but I am sure in the summer that it is lovely. The view from the top is breathtaking.

Considered by locals to be a magical destination with spectacular views and some of the nicest homes are nestled there around each turn.

The view is definitely worth the hike but it was not as easy as I'd thought it would be. It's very steep and although I'm only 21 I have asthma and had no water with me so it was rough. After several breaks and almost turning around to quit I made it to the top. The sights from the fire tower were amazing and I saw extremely far as it was a clear summer day. I think I would like to do it again despite the hardship; I'm proud I made it.

Whenever my husband and I are in the area, we'll stop by for the quick hike and then head to town for lunch. You wouldn't expect to be too close to nature while on a fire road, but we've seen a few garden snakes and frogs as well as some pretty wildflowers growing on the side of the path during late spring. If you're looking for some distance, follow the fire road up to the fire tower for the view, then hang a right at the sign near the hotel ruins to continue downhill to Echo Lake (I think the total out-and-back from the parking lot is 10 miles). The trail to the lake is more of a traditional hiking path.

Continuous uphill walk from the parking area to the summit. Never very steep. Trail gains 1400 feet in 3 miles. Great view from the summit and fantastic view from the fire tower. Cabin is set up like a museum with tons of info on the Catskills, the hotel ruins, the rattlesnakes (yes, rattlesnakes), the fire towers, etc. To get into the cabin or top of the tower visit Sat or Sun 11 AM to 3 PM from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Gets rather busy in summer, especially mid day. Get there early to park in the trailhead lot. No need to fear the rattlers. Leave them alone and they won't bother you.....and they're protected by law. Just don't walk off the trails into high grass or brush! Great family outing!

Amazing time at the Dreamcatcher cottage in Woodstock. What a view of Mount Overlook, we were in walking distance of millstream and the main street in town and best of all, my dog chased bunnies chipmunks and deer on the property!!

This is a great hike - it's overall about 4.5 miles up and back to the fire tower. It's challenging enough to feel you got a good workout, but not to the point where you just want it over. It wasn't super buggy - we did wear bug spray and started out about 9:30am. We saw some frogs, a newt and some chipmunks. There was a volunteer woman at the top who offered information and warned us about the timber rattlers. We climbed the fire tower which is a great way to cool off and see the beautiful views.

I love this hike. It is one of the best in the Catskills for views. We've done it in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Each time, we were not disappointed. We went again on Columbus Day. There are warnings everywhere about the rattlesnakes. We've seen them before up near the fire tower, but they have usually just been sun bathing or passing slowly across the trail. The rattlesnakes are not the biggest danger here. Be very careful where you park. The lot is small and there isn't any overflow parking. On Monday we parked very far down the road, past all of the No Parking signs. Upon returning to outer car we found a parking ticket! We checked around and every car anywhere on the road had a ticket. There were at least 30 tickets! Not very welcoming. This is a very popular hike. They need to do something about this very disturbing problem!

We finally got to hike this one! Parking was fine, no issues, we parked where you’re allowed to and didn’t park in areas where you’re not supposed to (you know, use common sense). It was a tough hike, we’re beginner hikers and not fit, even very fit and active people we talked to along the way said it was a tough hike for them. But we made it and went to the top of the fire tower which was pretty cool and the views were very much worth it. Obviously wear proper hiking boots/shoes, bring a hydration backpack and food! The hydration backpack was a life saver on this hike. We didn’t bring food, and we regretted it lol. Worth it, but be prepared, this isn’t a walk, it’s a hike.

I took this hike on a beautiful summer day - temps in the high 70's and lowish humidity. I recommend this hike - but it is not easy. The hike in is 2.5 miles of steady uphill, with no significant level portions, on a semi-improved service road (accesses the large antenna near the top). It took this 58 year old a little more than an hour to reach the fire tower (with no stops - I'm a slow but steady hiker). The hotel ruins are very cool and the clearing at the top has a fire tower, a wide open space, and a couple of picnic tables. Great place to rest and eat lunch. The views are terrific. The warnings about rattlesnakes are real - stay on the trail and in the clearing at the top. I saw one rattlesnake just out of the clearing at the top. Keep eye on children and pets. It took me about 45 minutes to descend. Like the trip up in a steady climb - the descent is a steady down - your knees will remember. On the way up - I was passed by a very fit 20 something woman RUNNING up the trail. Before I reached the top - she passed me again running down the trail. After my visit to the top - as I was heading down - she passed me again on her way BACK up the trail. Just as I reached the parking lot at the end - she passed me again running on her way back down - Holy Crap.

this scenic hike is easy to find, a quick drive from f town... and worth the exercise cause the view is awesome!

Wonderful short hike! We went during icy snowy conditions, so with that in mind, crampons are recommended since it is an uphill hike. The view from the viewpoint and fire tower are both beautiful. The old abandoned hotel is also a treat to explore in.

Our large groups of adults and children alike took to hike this tough mountain, but it's definitely worth it! The view from the top is spectacular, not to mention the old ruins of the hotel en route up the hill. There is a fire tower at the peak and you can see for miles - probably way into Vermont and New Hampshire. I'd recommend bringing plenty of water and snacks and wear comfortable shoes. Spring and fall are better times than summer to do this hike.

Lovely place to not only visit because of the historic significance and the creative inhabitants of the town. The surrounding trails and nature it's really worth while visiting.

This hike is not for the faint of heart - when they say "moderate" it is a heavy ascent. But with your hiking boots/shoes and plenty of water you'll really enjoy the view once you arrive. Plan on 2 hours up if you go straight and another hour down - longer if you take any stops along the way.

The view is epic and the walk is great exercise that will build your appetite for some good grub in town later. I have walked up from town to the monastery (where the overlook walk begins) and would recommend you drive and park instead. Stay in the middle of the path and listen/watch for rattlesnakes, which are common.

This place is magical. I heard Jimi Hendrix & Bob Dylan used to go up Overlook for inspiration. The views are breathtaking and the hike isn't too bad. It is a steady incline all the way up but totally doable and well worth any struggle! I would highly recommend this to anybody!

The ascent from the parking area is a rather steep one. Having broken my knee decades ago, my trek was short-lived. I never made it to the top. My concern wasn’t so much about making the climb to the summit but rather managing coming back down. Do this hike only if you are able-bodied. Be prepared. Pack water and snacks. And don’t go it alone. Personally, I’d rather look at the Mountain rather than be on it.

The first half of this hike feels like a forever 60 degree trek. Your thighs and calves will say, "No pain, no gain" because, after all that effort, you will be rewarded with a beautiful valley view amidst the Catskills, especially if it's autumn and especially if you opt to climb the multitude of narrow stairs to the top of the fire tower, at the top of the mountain. Visit the Buddhist temple at the end of your return hike. It's beautiful inside!

Easy to access from Woodstock and enough parking if you get there early.
Quite a dull walk but the abandoned hotel, the fire watch tower and overlook views make it a worthwhile trip.

We read a description of this hike as "moderate." I would call it pretty darn vigorous. It is a very steep ascent the whole time! It took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to climb. We are in pretty good shape, too.

On the way down, several people asked us how much further they had to go. We were wondering the same thing as we climbed!

The view at the top was beautiful though! But if you want a relaxing hike pick something else.

So you're in Woodstock and looking for something to do outdoors for a few hours? Overlook Mountain might fit the bill, as long as you have a comfortable pair of shoes and you're in reasonably good shape.

Trail Description: From the trailhead (see picture), located about 1,775 feet above sea level, the top of Overlook is about 2.5 miles away. It's a well-marked, one lane gravel road (see picture) all the way up. Unless you're a rockhound or a botany major, you might find the forest that lines the first mile to be fairly boring. It also happens to be the steepest section as you climb about 900 feet. At this point, the path will split and you should bear left. From here, the incline eases up and after a little less than a mile, you will see the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House (see pictures) at around 2,950 feet above sea level. The trail continues past a modern communications tower and the ruins of the carriage house. If you visit during the summer, you might see monarch butterflies and tortoiseshell moths feeding on the bright yellow wildflowers (see pictures). A few hundred yards later, you will arrive at another fork in the trail. Go left and you will head towards Echo Lake (2 miles), Devil's Kitchen (3.6 miles) and Indian Head Mountain (6 miles). Stay right and in 0.5 miles you will arrive at the top of Overlook Mountain (3140 feet). Once there, you will find a small ranger station, an outhouse, a few picnic tables, a grill and of course, the fire tower (see pictures). A spur to the right of the outhouse will take you to the scenic vista.

Views: Scenic views along the trail are pretty much non-existent. After the ruins, you will see a few trails leading off to the side, but we found those views to be mostly obstructed by trees. Perhaps the views the better in the winter when the trees are bare. The southerly views from the scenic vista at the top are fantastic though. Along the Hudson River, you can see Saugerties, Tivoli Bays, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, Kingston and even Staatsburg. As you shift your gaze westwards, you will see the enormous Ashokan Reservoir with the Shawangunks rising up in the distance behind it. If you squint really hard, you might be able to make out Skytop Tower in Mohonk Preserve (see picture). Continuing west, you can see Mt. Tremper rising in front of the Southern Catskill peaks (see picture). If you decide to climb up the fire tower, you will be able to see over the tree tops and get a 360 degree view. The views to the south are essentially the same as those from the scenic vista, but you will also get clear views of the Central Catskill summits (see picture) and the Hudson River as it makes its way north towards Catskill and Albany.

Other Hikers: We hiked up on a weekday morning and we saw about a 20-30 other hikers along the way. Lots of young couples. A few speed walking exercise junkies. A few dogs walking their owners. And one jarringly out of place, middle-aged, bald white guy dressed in bright yellow and red, Buddhist monk robes.

Time: If you're in good shape and you don't spend too much time at the ruins or at the scenic vista, you could probably finish the hike in 2 - 2.5 hours roundtrip. If you're in reasonable shape and you decide to explore the ruins and the vistas, it will probably take about 3 - 3.5 hours.

Directions: In Woodstock, take Route 212 and turn on Rock City Road. Once you cross Glasco Turnpike, it will become Meads Mountain Road. Continue uphill, making sure that you stay on Mead Mt. Rd. at the various forks. In about 2 miles, you will see a large white building through the trees on your left lined by colorful Tibetan prayer flags. That's the Buddhist temple that everyone uses as a landmark. You will see the parking for the trailhead (see picture) directly in front of you.

A few more points...

- In its heydey, the Overlook Mountain House was one of the great hotels in the Catskills. For a New York Times account of President Grant's stay there, you can Google "Overlook Mountain House President Grant" and click on the second link "President Grant: His Visit to Overlook Mountain..." and then click on "Full Article".

- The roads through Woodstock are a nightmare. Completely jammed with traffic and pedestrians, it was a headache on a weekday, so it must be horrendous on the weekends. Next time, I will take 9W from Kingston up to the Glasco Turnpike and try to avoid the whole mess.

- The fire tower is old (1927), but was restored recently (1999). Nonetheless, it definitely felt rickety as we climbed up and the wind began to blow. At the top landing, my mind began conjuring images of Dorothy flying around in her house in the Wizard of Oz.

- At the beginning of the trail, you will see a warning about timber rattlesnakes. This is not an idle threat as they do live in the area and others have already mentioned to look out for them especially around the rocks on the summit.

Worth the views. The hotel ruins were stunning. The top of the mountain worth a long picnic. If you are fit and do not linger, you could hike to the top and get back to your car in under 1.5 hours.

Keeps going up and up, but the summit is really worth it -- first the "ruins," then the metal watch-tower from which you can see a long long ways. The beauties on the way up -- the lichens, mosses, large chunks of slate rock, little trickling streams, great trees -- make this a wonderful walk in any season. If you bushwhack you must, of course, check for ticks afterwards, but if you stay on the walkway there is no problem with ticks. Bring water and a sunhat.

The trail is very well maintained, more of a road than a forest trail really. It's very steep, so took me over an hour to get to the top and nearly half the time to get down. The hike up is well worth the view at the summit. Amazing vista of the Hudson Valley. Beautiful!

Overlook Mountain is a must hike for those that want to have a spectacular view of the Hudson Valley. It's quite a steep climb so be prepared with good walking shoes and plenty of water. And remember to stop and look at the ruins of the Mountain House before continuing up the trail to the Fire Tower.

Bring a picnic lunch with and enjoy the view. And for those adventuresome souls ( no pun intended) continue on Echo Lake for a hidden gem high up in the mountains.

Hike took about 1.2 hours to the "ruins" of the old hotel. Lots of fun to explore those. About a 10 minute walk further to the gorgeous lookout. Total hike was about 2 hours for us, but we kept up the pace.

I'll start off by saying that we decided to do this hike in early April, with snow and ice still around. We didn't have micro spikes and should have. Going down extra was challenging due to ice. We all fell multiple times. If we went during warm weather, I'm sure it would have been somewhat easier. So wear proper footwear and hats and gloves. Despite the somewhat cold weather, still many hikers there and I'm glad we got a parking spot. Apparently local police write tickets easily for over parking. We saw many dogs, which we enjoyed - so this is a dog friendly hike.

This hike is do-able but strenuous. It just was constant incline and never a break. Going with younger kids posed some extra challenges but we made it work. Definitely take little breaks for water and to sort of settle. We packed a lot of water and protein bars.

The ruins were cool but it would have been nicer to see in warm weather and lush foliage. The fire tower was fun and the view from the overlook was beautiful.

All in all - so worth it. Just keep going & have Advil on hand at the end.

Stop at the beautiful Buddhist monastery after. There's a cool bookstore and you can walk around. Everyone is very nice. There are clean bathrooms you can use as well.

From your first visit, you will fall in love with the Catskills. The area is perfect for both avid and recreational hikers.

Overlook Trail is two things: A solid 2-hour workout for your glutes and a rewarding view that includes the ruins of an old hotel and a 360-panoramic from an old fire tower.

Your hike will start uphill and well, continue that way. The inclines aren't steep enough to merit bracing yourself, it's more of a steady increase in grade. Once at the top (it took me 45 minutes), you can walk around the stone skeleton of the old 1930's Overlook Hotel. Once you've spooked yourself a bit, it's an easy five-minute walk up to a picnic clearing that boasts an old fire tower. The tower is sturdy and open to the public, so climb up a few flights and snap a great panoramic of the mid-Hudson Valley.

The hike back down is the same path, making it an easy downhill hike. Beginning to end, we spent just under two hours there.

Best views of the Hudson Valley! The hike to get there was a little strenuous, mostly because we went at a fast pace and it was a hot and humid day. The old hotel ruins were very cool and awesome for picture taking. We were very happy to arrive at the top where the scenic views from the cliffs were breathtaking. Then, after walking up to the top of the fire tower - the view was even MORE breathtaking!! As an added bonus, we encountered a rattle snake in the way back down. He gave us a warning rattle and was just as interested to get away from us as we were him. Do be careful and watch for them. All in all, a fabulous day!

I've done this hike 5 times now and I would do it another 5 times! It's straight up. Not for the faint of heart. If you're out of shape plan on a 3-4 hour round trip hike. If you're in good shape it takes about 2-2.5 hours round trip. Take lots of breaks and for God's sake bring water! I see so many people hiking without water. There are plenty of spots to stop and catch your breath. The old hotel is the 2 mile mark. The scenery at the top makes this hike well worth the effort. A must do if you're in the area.

Loved this hike, although it takes a while and it is uphill it is well worth it for the view. The volunteers are top notch and I enjoyed going up into the fire tower. Don't miss the ledges behind the ranger station. The ruins are cool too although they do breed a bunch of mosquitoes. Not a difficult climb, I made it in 55 minutes up, took a while to get down and hung out at the top for 30 minutes. Plan on taking 2.5-3 hours.

It's all uphill with no more than a few feet here and there that seem to let up in incline. I was tired, but once I got to the top it was so worth it and I forgot all about the struggle of getting up there! So beautiful, the fire tower views are breathtaking, but it is a little scary getting up there. Round trip took us about 3 hours, but we spent about 45 minutes at the top enjoying the views.

Beautiful hike originating at the KTD Monastery and continuing to the site of the former Overlook Mountain Housel, one of the grand hotels of the Catskills heyday. Stunning in the fall with vibrant foliage. Wear appropriate footwear at all times of the year and understand that there are real honest to goodness rattlesnakes around the trails and site.

The walk up the mountain to the fire tower is well worth it. The views from the tower are amazing. The path is very wide crushed gravel type of path. It is 2.5 miles to the fire tower and it is all up hill. It is a steady incline that never levels out.

This rigorous hike offers a great view at the top. The trail is well traveled, so it’s easy to follow. Bring plenty of water and wear comfortable hiking shoes!

I've done this hike a few times and each time I'm equally amazed at the ruins on the way up. The parking lot isn't very big and if you park along the road you will get towed! There are signs everywhere warning people not to park along the road, but for whatever reason, people must believe the warnings don't apply to them (yes, I've seen cars getting towed). If you get there early, by 8am, or go during the week, parking is less of an issue. The fire tower at the top can get busy on the weekends as well, but its definitely worth it! The views are spectacular!

The hike up Overlook Mtn. is pretty easy and can be accomplished by novice hikers. The path, a former ranger's road, passes the ruins of an historic hotel before coming to the summit, which features great views from a fire tower (open weekends in spring through mid fall). Beware of rattle snakes in the rocks near the summit.

I came here to see the hotel ruins and they did not disappoint. Was treated to atmospheric clouds rolling through the site, making for some awesome photos. As others have said, it's ALL UPHILL and can be quite steep in parts. It's doable for most people, but if you're not a hiker you'll be huffing and puffing. Do it in the cooler months to avoid sweating so much. The way down will tire out your muscles in different places.

The trail itself is a service road and is bland, although the forest is pretty with lots of mosses and ferns and large rocks. I would not recommend this trail if you are not interested in the hotel ruins.

Tip - Get here as early as possible. This is a popular trail so the lot fills up fast. There is a portapotty at the trail head if needed.

Bonus - near the parking lot is a lovely little Orthodox wooden church. Wandered around their grounds and got some nice photos here. The Buddhist monastery is across the road from the parking lot and has lots of prayer flags strung about.

Nice hike. Make sure you get there early on a weekend as parking lot fills, there is additional parking 1/4 mile past the main lot. Great views from fire tower when open. Interesting to see the old ruins of the hotel.

Hiked overlook on a cool summer day with my father who lives in the area. He had done it a few times before (and many more times since) and thought that he should take me up to the top for the first time. Even though he knows I'm not the most physically fit person (see all my restaurant reviews to get a sense of how much I love food), he figured it would be a good day for a hike. Well, I'll say that Overlook is absolutely the most difficult hike I've ever made. It's only 2.5 miles, but it's 2.5 miles almost straight up. There are very very few times when you're hiking Overlook and think to yourself, "boy, I could really use a hill right now!" or "it doesn't feel like we're even climbing up." From the word "GO," as soon as you step on the trail, you know that you're walking dead uphill for the next 2.5 miles. Along the way, you run into hotel ruins that are very cool. And then, the top. The view is incredible. Just remember, what goes up, must come down. As strenuous as it is going up,

This was an absolute beautiful hike but be ready for a challenge. It is 2.5 miles of an uphill hike and at some points it is a pretty big incline. The view is absolutely worth it. But know whatever goes up must come down. If you have any knee issues the walk down is not for you. I absolutely loved this hike!

One of the most breath-taking views of the Mid-Hudson Valley! You don't want to pass this up; beautiful drive to the Tibetan Monastery (park on right) and then a gorgeous 2 mile hike UP. Don't worry, lots of opportunity to recover on the way to the top. Enjoy!!!

Strenuous hike, and I am in shape! Steep climb for 1.5 miles with loose gravel/rocks. Bring a hiking stick and definitely wear comfortable shoes. Hotel ruins are gorgeous, and are about 1/2 mile from the summit. Bring water/snacks/lunch. Read warnings of rattlesnakes, but saw no sign of any. Hike will take you 3 hours round trip, so plan accordingly. The natural beauty of this hike outweighs the climb...you will regret not doing it!

Its a little bit of a hike but it is so worth it when you reach the top!! There is a very visible and well traveled path to the top and once you get there you will get to scramble around old hotel ruins and the views are amazing!! its def worth the trip! make sure you dress appropriately (check the weather).. it is chillier and alot windier at the top and make sure you leave enough time to make it to the bottom before it gets dark!!

Steep hike; well worth it. Could see miles and miles from the top.

The hike is quite steep in places, but unlike many of the Adirondack mountain hikes, Overlook Mountain is a a much smoother trail. I have hiked it a couple times and plan on hiking it again soon. Excellent view from the top. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the top. There is also a fire tower you can climb up, at least the last time I was there. There are timber rattlesnakes, and it is not uncommon to see them on the trail or at the top. They are NOT aggressive! The best single word to describe a timber rattlesnake is "timid". Just be careful while hiking and look for them. Step on a log to see what is on the other side rather than just stepping over it. Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one. There are also other species of harmless snakes like garter and ringneck on the trail as well. Good hike. Bring water and a snack or lunch.

A fairly steep hike up to the top of Overlook Mountain was well worth the effort. The views are magnificent! It took us a bit over an hour as we are 2 senior citizens. Interesting ruins of an old hotel about 2 miles up, then another 1/2 mile to the fire tower at the summit. The path s actually a jeep road but is rocky and uneven but very walkable. We did it in the morning when temperatures were cool. The path is through the woods so a lot of shade.

Although it's a steep uphill walk, it is very accessible. You do get to pass by the remains of the Overlook hotel, and there is a great scenic view from the Eagle Cliff.

I can see Overlook Mountain from my house and have hiked it many times. It is best to go there during the week when the place is not packed with weekenders. The hike up the mountain is pretty boring because there is no vista to speak off but the climb will make your heart race as you gradually climb to the top. There is a ridge not too far from the ranger's shack where you can see a gorgeous panorama of the Hudson Valley and Hudson River. There is also a fire tower at the top that I have climbed a few times for even better views. Watch out for the rattle snakes though because they like to sun themselves on the rock that you find around the tower and ledges. A nice, exhilarating hike to take if you are lucky enough to miss the crowds on weekends.

Incredible views and definitely worth the hike! At the top of the mountain there are 360 views that are breathtaking!

Great hike but all uphill! Parking was hard to find on nice day.

The stair stepping of the trail up the mountain makes it doable for even the out of shape like myself. The ruins of the hotel are cool to walk through and the view from top of the fire tower is the best in the area.

Uphill climb in mediocre surrounds but the view at the top is worth it. Pretty crowded with a lot of hikers.

We took this 6 mi round trip hike. It was a gradual uphill hike all the way on a gravel, sometimes rough trail. Lot of trees to make it scenic. We enjoyed exploring around the burned remains of an historic hotel about 2/3 the way up. The views from the top were very nice. We did see one large rattlesnake at the top. It is a workout.

One of the best places I have hiked thus far. With that being said, I have been to many mountains and trails in the past and am a hiking enthusiast.

Since I'm an older, overweight man --- I found the hike quite taxing. However, I greatly enjoyed the workout. I just went a lot slower than walking on flat ground. Once I reached the top of the peak itself, the view was breathtaking, no pun intended!

When I lived here, this mountain was my relationship. We got to know each other through all weather, all seasons and all terrains. It is a moderate club but so satisfying. Especially if you can make it to the Fire Tower. The best view in the Hudson Valley

Great hike but for casual walkers be prepared the incline might require rrst stops. The ruins are amazing and the view from the top defies description and well worth the climb. Bug spray a must as is water. The monastery across the road also a must experience.

Well kept trails, crisp air and the reward of stunning vistas! (plus an outhouse up top if you need it!)

Truly one of the highlights to our visit to Woodstock. Drove past the entrance at night and the inn keepers told us it's a must do. It was well worth the 1.5 hour hike up to the top.

This is one of the best most worthwhile hikes i have ever taken, can't recommend it enough. You can take it stages or power right on up, great views from the tower and the cliff edge past the ranger station.

The walk up to the top of overlook is a wondeful hike through lovely woodland, using a wide trail with plenty of great spots to stop and check out. Before the top are the ruins of the once famous Overlook Mountain House where many 19th and early 20th century travelers took their vacations.

Views from the top are even accentuated by climbing to the top of the renovated firetower where truly awesome sights are to behold. An exciting and rewarding few hours at one of the Catskills most iconic spots.

The hike was perfect - strenuous enough but not too crazy. It took about an hour to walk up and slightly less time to return to the head of the trail. The view from the top of the mountain was amazing.

This is not an easy hike. It is 2.5 miles straight up to the fire tower. We took a lot of breaks on the way up. The path is made of gravel rocks (where the horse carriages used back in the early nineties to go up to the hotel), and so not hard to hike on. Just going up the incline made it feels like an hour worth of aerobics. Not for those with knee issues. The view at the top is spectacular November foliage colors. It is quite impressive.

Supposed to be classed as an easy hike HA HA!
Well as an unfit 54 year old I can say it was a slog but well worth it, the views from the top were breathtaking( if you've got any breath left).
I hiked with 4 others aged 23 to 54 years, we all made it and I'm pleased to say the younger members also thought it quite tough going.
Take your time, take plenty of rest, it took us about 90 mins to walk up and about 60 mins to walk back down.
There's a small carpark at the start of the hike,which was almost full when we arrived, I would imagine parking could be a problem at the weekend or at holiday time

We were visiting Woodstock for the weekend and wanted to get in a local hike to check out the views. The trail to overlook mountain was very easy to get to via the main street in Woodstock. The hike itself was a mildly strenuous hike and definitely got the heart rate going. Once we made it to the old abandoned hotel ruins we explored and checked out the grounds. It was very cool, kind of creepy and had great views. We continued on to the fire tower where we climbed to the top and had the most amazing views of the Hudson valley! Make sure to bring a camera or phone to capture the beauty!

This is a lovely little trail with an incredible pay off at the end with a gorgeous panorama view. If you're interested in making a day of this, I suggest walking up to the carpark from Woodstock town, going up to the mountain top and then down to echo lake before coming back up and back down into Woodstock (just be aware that this basically means walking up the mountain and then most of the way back down and then up again!).This turns a short trail into a long 15 mile hike, lots of fun and great wildlife to see!

The roads leading to and from were breathtaking this fall and we plan on returning to the area next year. Hopefully in a rented convertible.

Overlook trail is an old road that leads to a hotel ruins and then on to an overlook. The trail itself lacked a nature feel given it was clearly a road with electric wires running along the path. The ruins were cool to explore. Do not be deceived however, the ascent may challenge your cardio fitness. The incline is the only real challenge given the ease of the terrain. The view from the top of the mountain was grand. Consider adding the echo lake trail to double the miles and gain a more of a wilderness hiking feel.

A 4-mile hike from the lower parking lot pretty vertical in the beginning but with resting areas rocks along the way. The park should put a few heavy duty benches along the way that would be a great suggestion. 4 miles up and then the Overlook mountain and view will take your breath away with the reservoir and Hudson River and many many mountains and Hills and Valleys and bowls all around you. For strong of heart,there is a fire tower there ,a bit rickety( only 6 people at a time on it ) but once you climb up the views are forever and will take your breath away again. There is a small historical cabin at the top with a ranger who will answer all your questions. Halfway up the the hike is an incredible ruin of a once elegant hotel for the wealthy that had probably the best view of any hotel around. The ruins are beautiful and make for some interesting and architectural photos. The trail up is not too difficult however it is a bit Rocky in spots and so I would caution that you wear hiking boots. Due to the Steep incline, if you have walking sticks or hiking poles I would suggest those as well. We wore sneakers and were fine but for coming down, a hiking boot would have been more stable. There are picnic areas at the top so if you wanted to bring your lunch and snacks you can.There are no areas to get drinks so one must bring enough water for the hike . I would recommend a camel bag if you have it or at least 3 bottles of water. I plan to do this hike again in the fall when I think it would probably be most spectacular. After the hike, which will take you approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on how long you choose to linger at the top and soak in the Magnificent View, I highly suggest stopping in Phoenicia at the Phoenicia Diner which has incredibly upscale trendy food and beverages. They have limited hours so look it up before your hike and time it if you have any interest in a great local Gourmet Diner. Happy hiking!

The view was great but the challenge was walking 2.5 miles steep rocky trail/road then walking up the fire tower

Right from the get go this hike started off with a very steep hill. I thought 'OK, one steep hill, not so bad.' But it N E V E R S T O P S. Once you reach the top of the steep hill, there's another one waiting for you. x50. There are no areas to catch your breath, you'll be lucky if you find a big rock to sit on, but then having to worry about those timber rattlesnakes forced me to keep on chugging along. If you reached a BIG FLAT ROCK, vague I know, but trust me there will only be one big flat rock, you have pretty much reached the half way point. Give yourself a pat on the back, wipe your sweat and tears, and keep on going. About 1/2 a mile to the top of the mountain you'll see the abandoned Overlook Hotel. I highly recommend reading up on it before you go, it will give you a little history and insight to explain why they built a hotel at the top of a mountain....

Then finally, tears of joy will start flowing when you see the fire tower (top of the mountain). Climb up, take in the view, and head back down to check out an even better view... walk past the outhouse, through the woods and you'll have the best seat in the house at Woodstock. A ledge where you can sit high up in the clouds (sort of), and say to yourself it was all worth it. Snap a few photos and head back down. The descent is no picnic in the park either, so for anyone with knee problems, think about this!

A few side notes: address you can enter in your GPS: 335 Meads Mountain Rd Woodstock, NY 12498. It's right across from the Buddhist Monastery.

Parking sucks. We arrived on a Saturday around 11AM, parking lot was packed to the brimmed (30 or so spots) with people circling around waiting for hikers to come back down. Fortunately there was a police officer around and I asked him if I can park along the roads.. In his words "It's okay but not okay" He informed us if we can park as far off the road we can so that other cars can drive through it shouldn't be a problem. No ticket when we came back down.

The trail had me huffing & puffing, lol, but it was SOOO worth the hike up! It’s a steady gradual incline and a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon. The abandoned hotel is very cool to explore! When you get to the top of the trail, be sure to climb the fire tower! The 360 degree view is spectacular!

We loved it! Some how we had trouble mapping it but found it! Maybe use the Buddhist temple address? I agree with the reviewer about it being steep. We also work out but this is straight up different work out! However, so worth it! You hike up and the hotel is right in front of you! Then another .5 to the top to the fire tower. All other hikers friendly. Great free entertainment. About 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Beautiful views! We were greeted by a volunteer at the Fire Tower (which you can go up, and see the views), who explained to us where everything was, and told us to watch out for rattlesnakes (yikes!). He was very friendly and easy to talk to. The hike up the mountain is mostly uphill, so it did take some time to get there; however, the views were absolutely worth it, and we did take a moment to go see the abandoned hotel on the mountain.

A solid hike with a fun reward. The trail is well maintained and is pretty wide, enough to stay 6 feet away from others despite it being a pretty popular place. It's an easy climb but a steep climb so you get a little shvitz in. Towards the end, there's an abandoned ruin of an old hotel. It's huge too and one can spend quite a bit of time exploring. The trailhead itself is just across the way from a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, a beautiful and striking building with countless prayer flags streaming across the outskirts and surrounding property.

This can be considered a difficult hike but I will venture to say it is not. There is constant sustained elevation gain that does knock the wind out of you, but its up an old roadway so the terrain is easy. This goes on for a bit over two miles with nothing to see. Stop and rest and have some water and it will be "easy", there are no rock scrambles or rough passages, just a very long very steep uphill walk. It is SO WORTH IT. Once you get close to the top you will come upon the ruins of an old hotel that are pretty rad, there are many walls and stairs still standing. I have spoiled my children. We do long hikes with great payoffs. This by far was their favorite. It has set the bar where they expect great ruins and incredible vistas on each hike. It is the standard of all good hikes for them (I like some physical challenges like a good scramble- but they sustained elevation gain on this one does give me my physical challenge I look for). After spending some time at the ruins, the top is just a short hike. The views are incredible, the fire tower is an added perk and the historic house an informative little rest. There is also an outhouse at the top. The first time we went there was a volunteer with Oreos at the top to congratulate you for making it! Even on a cloudy day it is worth it. We saw families with babies, elderly people and pregnant women at the top. If you take your time and slowly walk, it is doable for most anyone

Address listed is wrong. it is not 131 ohayo mountain road. It is 353 Meads Mountain Rd Woodstock, NY 12498

When I was considering doing this hike, I checked out a few reviews and recalled having seen one warning folks about parking tickets. Sure enough, we drove up to the trail head and the lot was full. So we circled back and found parking along the side of the street where there are not ANY "no parking" signs! Yes, it says no parking on the uphill side of the street but nothing on the downhill side (except one within close proximity to the official lot). In any town in North America, where there are no "no parking signs" on the street and no white lines along the curb, it is considered fair game to park. Why else would they put no parking signs on one side of the street but not the other? If you feel that people should not park on both sides of the street then invest in the couple hundred bucks you need to install signs. In the meantime, stop stealing from tourists and residents.

It's not easy, it's 2.5 miles up a rocky road all up hill. So worth it, when you get to the top you got breathtaking views of the Catskill mountains and the Hudson valley.

Great uphill hiking with breathtaking vistas. Bring supplies and good shoes as the trails are somewhat long.

I first did this hike in 1964. It is still gorgeous. A great bout of exercise, a beautiful view, the cool hotel ruins (were there the last time I visited), and the amazing view from the fire tower make this a hike you'll remember for your whole life.

I've already given this hike a 5 star review as have many others. And I've noticed that the only bad reviews are from people who've gotten parking tickets! Since my last review the state has added a second and very large parking area about 1/2 mile below (west) of the smaller main trail-head/parking area on Meads Mountain Road. If the small lot at the trail-head is full I strongly suggest that you go to the new larger one. Hey, you're going to walk 3 miles, one way, to the summit and back and climb 1300 feet, so what's an extra 1/2 mike mostly level walk? And, the new parking lot is connected to the main trail-head by a nice marked woods trail. Whatever you do don't park along the road where there are No Parking signs. You'll get a ticket and you WILL pay the $150 fine. If both lots are full and you want to park along the road down by the large lot where there are not any No Parking signs, park you car so the wheels are totally off the right of way.

Absolutely gorgeous view on the top of the mountain! Nice well maintained path, no rock climbing involved to get to the top, nice and steady steep walk, approximately 3h round trip.

This is a slow uphill climb to the top, but easily done with plenty of resting stops along the way.
The view is worth the climb!

We drove up Overlook Mountain and parked at the monastery. Instead of hiking up to the fire tower, we walked down the Dharma Path to the little pond (it was just easier with a 2-year-old).
The Dharma Path is bordered with prayer flags, and at the end is a little clearing with a path to a small stocked pond. The path goes around the pond and is a pretty little walk.
The entire area is special. There is such a peaceful vibe that you'll feel as soon as you're halfway up the mountain. The drive up is beautiful, the monastery is beautiful, and it's definitely worth a visit while you're in the area.

One of my favorite places to hike in the are, great views of the Ashoka, family friendly, good for all capabilities, if your youngster is not into hiking or not well on hikes, rethink something like Nature Path for them, like the Saugerties Lighthouse. Great views from the fire tower, and resist temptation with the abandoned hotel....

This is not an easy hike, just to let you know. However, I was eight months pregnant and managed to go the whole way! It is worth every minute- bring a camera! There's not much to see at first, but there are gorgeous old ruins, and the view from the top is magnificent! A great day hike. Another plus- the entrance is across the road from the Buddhist Monastery so there is a place to rest and recoup!

Overlook Mountain Hike highly recommend it
2miles up hill but views are amazing also go early to get a nice parking spot arrived at 7am

Just took a drive yesterday. Did a bit of a hike. The colors are beautiful. A must see for this fall.

I must confess that I'm a full time "visitor", being fortunate to actually live on Overlook Mountain :-).
After many years as weekenders my husband & I retired here almost 5 years ago. As others have mentioned, the views from here are spectacular since Overlook offers wonderful sights of the Hudson River, the Ashokan Reservoir, the Berkshires, and much of the Hudson Valley to the East and South. The hike up Overlook trail is not difficult, but it is an unrelenting upward grade, which can be hard on unpracticed knees :-). Echo Lake, near the summit where Overlook intersects with Indian Head, is a beautiful, remote spot where hikers can camp overnight. For the more adventuresome there are many opportunities for bushwacking along remnants of old bluestone quarry trails through tall stands of pines, hemlocks, oak, hickory, white birch & maple, threaded with deep crevices, small waterfalls & creek beds, & stunning rocky outcroppings. In late Spring, huge stands of Mountain Laurel, blueberry, viburnum & fragrant native azaleas can be found along the trails. In snowy months the old quarry trails provide lovely spots for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. With Woodstock and Saugerties nearby, Overlook is a lovely area at any time of year!

The hiking trail up Overlook mountain has long been a favorite in Woodstock. It's not for the faint hearted. You have to be in good shape to make it up to the top. But if you do, you'll be rewarded with an unparalleled view across the Hudson Valley. If you are feeling really energetic you can continue on to Echo Lake. The mountain is also famous, or infamous, for having the highest concentration of timber rattlesnakes in the country. So the wise hikers keep to the trails.

This is a strenuous and pretty long hike but straightforward hike. The 1st half is pretty much a jeep trail. When you get closer to the summit, there are really cool ruins of an old mountain top hotel. At the peak there are fantasic views of the surrounding mountains as well as the hudson valley below. If you like hiking this will be a memorable and enjoyable trip!

Not for everyone. You might say the hike is moderate difficulty if you're a hiker. It's a relatively steep climb through woods, no views, and then spectacular at the top. Good walking shoes, water. Crowded.

Awesome hike up the mountain, past an incredible abandoned run down hotel, and over to amazing views. The hike is fairly steep in some spots and uphill the entire time. Depending on your fitness level the difficulty of the hike would vary, I think it's doable for most people, but it may just take longer. Bring some water and snacks with you and enjoy!!!

Quite the hike, a bit over 2 miles up a steep incline and then back down. But close to the top is a really cool old building and at the very top, a fire tower with awesome views. One of my favorite hikes

I did this hike for the first time Sat (11/8/14) and really enjoyed it. It is a fairly easy hike terrain wise and it is mostly gravel roads. The most challenging part is that it is 2 miles uphill (constant incline)the entire way from the parking lot to the Fire Tower. There is not much to see while walking up or down with the exception of the remains of the Overlook Hotel. The was a pretty cool thing to see tucked away in the middle of the mountains and a great photo opp. The views from the top are sensational but you will need to go up the fire tower to get the best vantage point.
Also, there is a outhouse for use at the top.

Decided to take this hike having no idea what we were in for lol. We are family of 5. Three boys ages ranging from 13-9. My boys had a fit they didn’t want to hike. Typical so I ignored it as usual. There was some mild crying and pretty average theatrics where they swore they would never make it. Once we got to the ruins and fire tower all was forgotten, they were telling me how much they love it. All smiles. Great day. The hiking itself is not difficult it’s just a constant steep climb. We had a great day. Def worth all the crying and whining!

The hike is a bit challenging if you're not in tip top shape. With that said, I hiked up there and lived to tell the tale. It is up hill the entire way with no real flat areas to catch your breath. But if you put your mind to it, you'll make it. We packed food (cause let's be honest, it's such a good motivator) and ate lunch on the overlook. The views are wonderful!

The hike to the mountain is uphill all the way, but once you get there the view is fantastic. And the return trip is much faster!

moderate walk to the top of overlook mountain- quite hard going at times, about 2 hours to ascend. Towards the top is an empty hotel that makes for some amazing photography in the right light. The views from the fire tower at the top were spectacular- would be a great place to go in the fall

very challenging all up hill. worth the climb. gorgeous view at top. bring water wear good sneaker or hiking shoes

What an incredible journey. We hiked to the fire tower. It was 2.5 miles of very difficult (to me...I'm 50) climbing. If you take your time, wear good shoes and bring lots of water you will be fine. I haven't climbed a mountain for years but I was able to do this hike with small breaks and a personal drive to get up the trail. You will be amazed at the view once you reach the top. It is just beautiful. I highly recommend this destination because when you are finished you can take a stroll over to the Buddhist Temple across the street from the trailhead and see and meet some very happy, kind people.

We decided to do this hike at the recommendation of our Air Bnb condo's owners. They said it was a good hike, moderately difficult but not strenuous. The hike is only 2.5 miles up, and went up at a steady incline. The only downside was the weather, which was cold and snowy. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the hike and we are looking forward to returning soon in warm weather.

Well-trafficked and easily accessible from Woodstock, this should be on everyone's weekend itinerary. Completed the hike in the snow, which was a little more challenging, but still doable. As of early March, the watchtower was closed.

The trail up Overlook starts at the monastery, it's about a mile and a half, moderately steep, great views and a firetower on top. One can continue on further to Echo Lake, worth it if you have the time and energy.

pack a lunch, it is a good hike. big main road and lots of smaller trails on top. great views from the top. some ruins to explore too.

Silly me, I tried to run/jog up this mountain in August 2011, thinking it would be a good "hills" workout. it really is a very steep incline. I ran a bit, walked mostly, and took a look at the Buddhist monastery but did not have time to visit the remains of the Overlook Hotel. Boggles the mind to contemplate how that hotel was built ...

I consider myself and my lady in decent shape and this was a bit challenging. The path itself is straight forward and wide, but it’s an incline the whole way. My lady and I took breaks and reached the top in a little over an hour. We packed a lunch n ate at the top on a picnic table...bring a lot of water.

Abnormally mild weather makes this an appealing attraction in the foothills of the Catskill Mountain range, particularly if you need a group event.

After just a short period of time you will likely begin to feel hot and have to take off jackets and gloves in colder seasons. You will encounter the ruins of an old hotel. A date above one of the doors indicated that the structure was built in 1929. Rumor has it that the hotel was never actually completed, I don't know if this was due to the great depression. A cell phone tower is located near the hotel, offering a convenient connection. The next landmark at the peak elevation is a lookout tower that appeared to be designed for park rangers. The top is secured however travelers can climb to the upper levels to get a great view of the valleys below. Another good view is from a nearby cliff, this may be accessed by continuing along the trail past a park ranger cabin.

Be warned that the trails can be treacherous due to ice, particularly melting ice that becomes slick from the water. Our group included four people and all but one person took a spill.

The trail is actually a woods road closed to vehicles but easy walking up to the old hotel ruins and then on to the summit with panoramic views from the fire tower. But please do be vigilant looking for Timber Rattlesnakes at the top. we found one very close to the tables.

if you like to hike and in farely good shape you can do overlook up in 1 hr. there are several stepp parts but it is all worth it once you get to the fire tower overlooking thr hudson vally as well as ashokan resevoir with tthe rest of the catskill mountains. if you have more time turn left by tower towards cliffs- a spectacular view. also you may go on to echo lake another 2mil nice for picnic going back is a little more challenging. all in all you can spend 2 to 6 hrs at amy time of year. great snowshoing too. gerta

You cant come to Woodstock with out visiting this lovely trail and the best view in the Hudson Valley! Bring your sneakers or hiking boots.

NOT I repeat NOT for the faint of heart! If you are an average, below average or novice hiker this isn't easy. An incline all the way up with literally no flat breaks and coming down is no picnic either, however the ruins are amazing a bit creepy but amazing and the summit and fire tower give you views that are simply stunning. If you decide to do this, which I recommend, make sure you understand the breadth of this hike.

I think if you take this into consideration, and know what you are in for, then you are prepared. I did the overlook spur trail a short distance from town, and was largely disappointed most of the walk up. While a great gradient to push you, it was pretty much all gravel road under powerlines, which if you are looking for nature, isn't particularly pleasant. I only really liked the hike once it passed the ruins and the power station - from there it was a very pretty walk to the lookout point. Since it doesn't take that long if you are fit, I would recommend to plan to keep walking to the lake (along the same trail that will eventually lead to Indian head Mountain trails). That is a really nice hike, and not particularly difficult (just a little bit of incline back up from the lake for a relatively short distance), and the lake area is quite pretty. Would highly recommend the Indian Head Mountain Loop from the other side.

Love this hike, with it's setting and beautiful views at the top. There's an abandoned hotel or other structure partway up, which provides an interest stop for photos. It can get really buggy up here, though, so douse yourself in mosquito repellent! I typically do this hike in the fall, when the weather is crisp & the views with fall colors are gorgeous. Be sure to climb to the top of the fire tower! You'll feel on top of the world!

I happened to find out about this trail accidently. I was looking up the best trails to do in the Catskills, and someone happened to have a link to their experience doing the Overlook mountain trail. Knowing the trail was rated difficult and myself and my fiance are not advanced hikers... we agreed to try it out. It said it was a 2.5-mile hike to the overlook and along the way there was an abandoned hotel which we wanted some photographs of, and it all seemed do-able.
We went on a Sunday, and the trail parking was full so we parked along the street in an area that didn't state "no parking". Yet when we returned to the car after the hike we had a lovely traffic ticket on our car saying we were "obstructing traffic". So, if you're going on a weekend either get there early or prepare to park very far away from the start of the trail.
Anywho, we started the hike up...this trail is mostly up, with a few level areas which are few and far between. Considering this is not something we do often, we struggled going up. But it's definitely do-able if you're in okay shape, wear the proper footwear, pack lightly & bring water (which we forgot in the car :\). We finally reached the abandoned hotel & it was awesome! There were a lot of people around taking photos but everyone was nice and there were plenty of areas to explore where no one else was.
After the hotel, there was a short path up that lead to the fire tower. You can stop here and get a great view, but if you want the full experience of completing a decent hike- follow the next trail, which is a few yards down, leading you to an amazing view of the mountains and everything down below, including the Hudson river. It was worth the sweat and aching legs.

August weekday and it was not too crowded. Excellent view. Good workout of a hike with a great payoff at the top. It's not a wooded trail. It's a gravel old road by ruins of a hotel. So don't expect total shade beneath a canopy of trees. A great 3 hour hike!!

The incline is a little strenuous at the beginning, but overall not too difficult. There's a really cool abandoned hotel to explore as well once you get about 3/4 of the way up so it's a nice stopping point to catch your breath and soak in the scenery. Once you get to the top there's this ranger tower you can climb to see a 360 view of about 15 miles in any direction, makes you feel pretty small! Then the best part of this is the view on the overlook rock where you can relax and hang close to the edge. All of the hikers were really friendly and nice, the only thing is the parking fills up quickly, so get there early.
Just be careful of rattlesnakes and don't venture too far off from the trail.

It was a pretty steep hike up but wide path to the abandoned hotel. We saw a giant rattlesnake but people along the way were quite friendly and warned us. It was about 5 ft long!!! although being quite scared... it was worth it and we were all safe and sound!! Would definitely do this again! We were unable to go further from the abandoned hotel because we were warned that there was even a larger rattlesnake in the middle of the path-- so we heeded to the warning and just enjoyed the abandoned hotel. All in all an awesome little journey!

A lovely hike ruined by a parking ticket (along with at least 30 others that were ticketed). Come on - Woodstock! Figure this one out!

We have hiked it two or three times. Every time I say, "OMG, why am I doing this?" (We are out of shape over 40s) It's not a trail, but a rutted straight-up-the-mountain road. But then We get to the top. The view is fab. The ruins of the old hotel are interesting. Saw snakes. I hear there's a lake 1/2 mile down the other side, but I've never made it. Pretty easy downhill trek. Crowded on weekends.

Wonderful views from the scenic overlook by the ranger cabin and the firetower. The cabin has an exhibit that explains some about the ruins of the hotel that you pass on the way up as well as the story behind the firetower.
A great trip- easy to moderate climb. Hike on a road.

My son (age 28) and I took our Labrador Retriever on a cool Sunday am. We casually did the walk up in 75 minutes with plenty of stopping. At top, we climbed the Fire Tower (accept for our dog), went over to the Overlook (fabulous view) and was told to watch out for the snakes. Didn't see one, but made sure we contained our dog. The walk down was much quicker. The burnt out hotel was an added bonus shortly before the summit. Definitely worth a trip. Figure at least 3 hours in total. Need to be reasonably fit to walk 2.5 miles at a steady uphill. Good sneakers are acceptable.

This hike is good for the view at the top, the firetower and the ruins of the hotel. The hike itself is a little boring, because it is fairly straight up with little variation of view. There are some nice blue stone formations and people's dogs are interesting, but the bonus is just at the end. There is a cabin at the top and the Ranger was offering bottles of water, which was a nice touch.

After a steady 2 1/2 mile incline on a well maintained wide trail, you will reach the best view the Catskills have to offer. A great scenic view, and also a bonus, a fun tower to climb, and old hotel ruins to explore. A must do in the area.

This is a great hike and the trailhead is close to Woodstock. The character of the trail itself is not too exciting, since it follows a dirt road all the way up to the summit. And there's a substantial elevation gain that will have you huffing' and a-puffin'! Not for the out of shape! Once at the summit, you can climb the fire tower and enjoy a 360-degree view of the Catskills, which is truly remarkable. But you really haven't seen the best the mountain has to offer unless you take the little unmarked side trail past the cabin, to a shear ledge called Eagle Cliff (dangerous--keep your kids close to you). Legend has it that a native squaw left a baby unattended here and the child was seized by an eagle and taken aloft. Below the summit at a place called Minister's Face, 7,000 year-old Native American artifacts have been discovered. Allow two to three hours for the hike.

There is a small parking lot with porta johns at the base of this trail. The trail is wide and may be a road in case of emergencies. The terrain is rocky and on the day we hiked it was foggy with pouring rain. We saw many orange salamanders and did need to rest along the way due to the incline. Be sure to wear the right shoes and to bring water. The hotel buildings were fascinating and my kids loved exploring them along with the fire tower.

For the last 3-1/2 years I've lived near the top of Overlook Mountain. I learned that as a result of the Hudson River School of Painters (such as Thomas Cole & Frederick Church), it is the second most painted mountain in the world after Mt. Fuji in Japan because of the clarity of light in the atmosphere. There are so many public hiking trails, and many private one, that take you to the top of the mountain.

One hike, from Mead Mountain Road (out of the center of Woodstock) takes you to the peak of the mountain at 3,140 feet in elevation. It starts at at DEC parking lot along the road and rises 1,378 to the peak. It is a wonderful hike to Echo Lake and the skeleton of Woodstock Mountain House- a hotel built for the wealthy in the early 20th century.

Living on the mountain, I know that the sunrises and sunsets are second to none anywhere. The varied flora and fauna are wonderful. I've seen, on my property, Coywolves (a blend between a wolf and a coyote) that is common around here, deer, black bear, coyote, fox, raccoon, etc. There are also so many bird species that we enjoy through our windows.

if you can rent a house or bungalow for a week in the spring to fall, this is a wonderful place to enjoy.

Less a hike than a fairly constant uphill walk. I found it more mentally than physically challenging—although it’s both—because of the tedious consistency of the experience. The surface is an old road. Need to watch your step because there’s some rubble. Very few changes in slope or scenery.
However, the effort suddenly blooms when you reach the top: Beautiful views in a park like setting. Worth it. And a jaunt on the way down.

The trail to the top is hard work, but worth it when you see the fantastic panorama from the top. Especially the pathway to the right of the cottage.

Make sure you have your water bottle and good hiking shoes. This is a fantastic hike and tough. It is a straight up climb for over an hour and a half (at least for us). It was a beautiful time of year to do this hike and we did it in the morning during the week so it wasn't crowded. Ive tried to go before but there were so many people I didn't go. Go in the morning and go during the week for the best time. The hotel ruins at the top, the Fire Tower and Overlook were all worth it, it was fantastic. Lots of loose rocks, gravel, etc so make sure you have good shoes that are supportive of your feet and ankles.

This is a moderate hike but one of the longer ones. The elevation was over 900 Ft at the look out place off of the main trail. I went with the whole family and it was nice but not good if you have to carry a little one. Beautiful scenery! Amazing views. The fire tower was closed.

It starts very loose gravels/ rocks and steep incline. Gets easier halfway up. Parking lots fills up by noon. Actual mileage round trip is 4 miles (GPS watch). Fire tower has great view but very windy. No snakes but bees (5-6) swarming me while eating lunch. Outhouse bathroom by fire tower.

The path to summit is wide, gravel and predictable. This makes for a dull hike to begin, but the reward is 2 miles up, where the ruins of a hotel wait for you to explore! Another .5 and there is a fire tower as well, offering views of the Catskills and Hudson Valley. During COVID the wide path also made it easy to stay distant.
Beware of parking signs. They DID ticket; on a busy Saturday Woodstock is raking in the $.

We did this very challenging hike on the day after Halloween. It's not an easy walk up - 2.5 miles up to the hotel ruins and another half mile to the fire tower. The walk up is steep, so pace yourself. It took us about 2 hours to get to the old hotel with about 15 minutes looking around there before continuing up the extra 20 minutes to the tower. The top of the tower is locked up but you can walk up the stairs if you dare. The view is spectacular but scary on a windy day. The walk down takes about half the time as it did coming up. The trail is actually a rocky road. If it rains or snows it could get slippery so be careful. As always take your time on the way up, bring plenty of water and take a break every once in a while. The weather was dicey on the day we were there so we did not continue to the overlook part of the trail or to echo lake.

really top notch view at the top especially from the fire tower(although scary if you have any fear of heights) Old hotel ruins are very interesting and great photo op. Hike would be a 5 except trail(if you call it that) is really an old road that is constantly uphill. They say there are sometimes timber rattlesnakes on the trail I had no luck seeing any but you can tell the environment is perfect for them. Overall a really fun day

great hike takes about 2hs round trip.
Fire tower is a nice spot, choose a non windy day if you get scared.

is one of the most exciting and accessible activities in the Woodstock area. Although there are many many great hikes in the Catskills, this one is easy to get to and the trail is really an access road that's wide enough for several people to walk together. It's a 2.5 mile hike from the parking lot to the fire tower, which is a MUST if it's open. I have a bit of vertigo, so I had to take it really slow to the top of the tower, but the view is simply spectacular!

This 3 hour hike was really enjoyable. It goes steadily up for 2.5 hours and takes 1/2 hour to get back down. It will get you heart beating (All of us are fit and several are marathoners) in spite being on a graded gravel road. The drive up to the trail head is also a nice climb up the mountain to a nice parking area. On top is a haunting (hard to describe) ruin of an old luxury hotel. All 8 of us were captivated with this relic. Then a short walk past a spring with 3 huge frogs to the fire tower where the views of the Hudson Valley, Ashsokan Res. were the best I have ever seen. Remember to take some water (you'll need it). Nice hike for families too.

Used to hike this trail in the 70's as a scout, then with my sons as scouts in the late 80's. Times have changed the trail a bit. they've reopened the ranger tower which was closed in the 80's, the tv towers are a bit annoying, but the view from the overlooks remains a incredible as ever. The ruins of the old Mt. House still remain which were always a draw to the youngsters.

Steady 2.5 mile climb to the top but so worth it. Loved the abandoned late 19th century hotel near the top. Climb the fire tower at the top. The views are spectacular. If you have a fear of heights, you won't be able to do it. The overlook the opposite direction of the fire tower had great views and interesting graffiti from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The overlook mtn parking lot is right next to the Buddhist Monastery which was neat to see. Some hikers went over there to check it out.

The trail to the lookout is about 2.5 miles, although there is an option to take a fork near to the top out to another trail for a further 6 miles-time prevented us doing the extended longer trail.
The trail is easy to moderate on grade although we are fairly hiking fit after a couple of weeks on long difficult trails in Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Nearing the top are the ruins of an old hotel, and the lookout is about 10 minutes further on from here.
At the top is a fire observation tower and there are great views from here. There is also a lookout point about 100 meters past the ranger hut and basic rest room.
If you push it out on the clim it should take about an hour and a half, and the return took about 50 minutes.
The nearby town of Woodstock has excellent restaurants, coffee shops and other artist shops and itself it worth a visit

This hike gets your heart rate up as you climb steadily upward to the top. It's on a former road so while there are rocks, it's a nice wide path. Great for families--there is a building to explore and a fire tower to climb at the top where you have s beautiful view. It's 2.5 miles up, 5 miles total. Picnic table at top so you could pack a lunch.

Went for a little hiking trip and loved it! As I had read on TripAdvisor before - hike is steep, not very easy.
We did the shortest hike and must say, it was tiring.
Also we were not sure about hiking in February - but weather quite warm for February, which really helped.

The hike to the top is just a walk up an old gravel road, so as far as a strict hiking experience it's a little boring. What makes it worth it is when you get to the top and get to check out the old abandoned hotel. You should take the time to read the history of the hotel before you go. It's a straight uphill walk, but even if you aren't in shape the road makes it do-able with a few breaks. The fire tower, just past the hotel, is a great spot for pictures, so don't forget your camera.

My fiancee and myself hike this trail every year when we come up to Woodstock. It is moderately difficult, can get very slippery at certain points but well worth it. Takes about an hour and a half to get to the top but you walk through an old abandon hotel and the view at the top is wonderful!

The trail says 2.5mile hike but it's all up hill. If you aren't in very good shape the hike might be a but strenuous. I loved it and was hopping up the mountain like a goat. When you get closer to the top there are ruins of a hotel which i found extremely interesting. The only thing you have to watch for is apparently there are rattlesnakes on this mountain or so the guy that kept flipping logs says

Spooky, cool, good workout. Brought my dog, she had a great workout too. I would say this place would be amazing in spring/summer.

This is a greak hike for anyone with good knees and a love for the outdoors. 2 miles clear path leads you to a great view of the georgeous Catskills

The payoff is definitely the old remains of the Overlook hotel. I was skeptical at first that the remains would be nothing more than an outline of a foundation. I was wrong.. it's basically the entire gutted structure.. super creepy and yet pretty at the same time. The hike (we ran) isn't particularly pretty or picturesque but made for a great work out.

The trail always seems a little more challenging than I remember from previous trips. The trail is wide and easy if you go at you're own pace. The top has views and hotel ruins that are creepy and awesome. Beyond the ruins is a firepower that is just as creepy but what a view. You can continue on to echo lake but that is a full summer day hike. Great picture opportunities. Read the history before or after you go on google. Just helps you to visualize what your seeing in the ruins. Not for faint of heart. It's a workout but worth it. Can be done in half a day at casual pace.

I have to agree with the folks who said you need to be in moderately good shape to do this hike. The overall hike is about 5 miles. The ascent is steep and gains over 1400 feet in 3 miles up, although the trail is wide and well maintained. There are places to rest along the way. We went around 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday in August. The parking lot was packed, but we were able to squeeze into a spot. Good news was that many were coming down while we were going up. The hotel ruins are super cool-trees growing inside the hotel frame. Views were very cool at the summit; it was surprising how chilly and windy it was at the top. I recommend going to the natural outlook since it is just .3 miles behind the cabin. Volunteers at the top are very knowledgeable and nice; take time to speak with them. Recommend!

I've done it from both sides - about 10+ miles from Platte Clove road RT, or about 6 miles RT from woodstock. Expect to see lots of people from the woodstock side on nice beautiful days, no matter what season. Check out the hotel ruins, explore, continue up to the tower for lunch at the picnic tables. Careful of rattle snakes in the summer!

Yes at beginning of summer we went there with the younger kids and teenagers it was a very nice experience to walk on to trails not hard ones we enjoyed a couple of hours hiking

The Overlook Mountain Hotel and the view is well worth it but the hike is difficult. The first half of the hike is 2 miles up hill. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape and I had to take frequent breaks on the way up.

Overlook is a 2900' fire tower mountain. Round trip hike is about 5 miles with a gain of 1400' on a trail that follows an old gravel road past an abandoned hotel that looks like a bombed out shell from WWII. There is a cool info/warning at the start of the trail concerning timber rattlers but don't let that stop you from taking this hike for great views. Not a very exciting trail but the views and tower on top are worth the effort. Mountain laurels line the first mile. Take water!