After mid-September in the Hudson Valley, leaves begin to turn from green to yellow to gold. And with the change of season comes a new world of opportunity to see the deciduous forests of the Northeast in their autumn glory.
If you’re visiting Hudson or Catskill in the Hudson Valley, you’ve got plenty of nearby hiking choices. Here are some of the local favorites:
Bash Bish Falls, Tagkhanic, NY
This cascade of water is in a NY State Forest that abuts the Massachusetts Border. You can reach Bash Bish from either the New York side (closer to the falls), or the Massachusetts side. If in New York, go to Copake and follow signs to Bash Bish. There are the ruins of an old foundry not far from the falls. It’s a well-subscribed location, so be prepared for company!
High Falls is a small paradise right outside the hamlet of Philmont about 15 minutes from Hudson. Make a right by the public works department on 217 (if coming from Hudson) and soon you’ll find the trail head. The waterfall used to power the local mill, which still stands nearby. It’s not a huge place or a long hike, but the waterfall is very pretty and very easy to reach.
This is one of America’s oldest tourist attractions, depicted in several books, essays, poems and paintings of the early 19th century. They became a subject for painters of the Hudson River School, setting the wilderness ideal for American landscape painting. It’s a moderate to somewhat difficult hike, about 1.4 miles roundtrip. Hikers are strongly encouraged to stick to the marked path due to slippery rocks located at the top of the falls.
Martin Van Buren House, Kinderhook, NY
He may have been a less-than-illustrious President, but he’s local, and was part of the Old Kinderhook political crowd from where the phrase “OK” (aka “this is approved”) derived. He’s also got a very attractive house to tour on Route 9h in Stuyvesant just north of Hudson. And across the road from the house, which is a National Historic Landmark, there is a relatively flat wooded tract that makes for a perfect, easy hike not too far from civilization.
Newton (aka “Nutten”) Hook, Stuyvesant, NY
Take Route 9j north from Hudson (via Route 9) and soon you’ll notice railroad tracks to your left. At Newton Hook there is a traffic light and a railroad crossing. Make a left, cross the tracks, and head west along the gravel road until you reach the parking area, which is right on the Hudson. There’s a few short trails, but here you’re hiking less and enjoying more, because there’s a little beach and you’re already on the river. It’s easy to find and easy to like! Farther north there is a second entry to the Newton Hook preserve, and there you can find an abandoned ice-house–of which there used to be dozens on the river (when the river would freeze solid and NYC did not have electric refrigerators).
Of course, once you’re done hiking, you can head back into Hudson or Catskill for a meal at any number of great restaurants.
In Catskill:
The HiLo cafe offers lighter fare, perfect for lunch, and lots to drink. There’s also the Crossroads Brewery right on Catskill Creek as well as Subversive Brewery on West Main. For more substantial fare, try the New York Restaurant on Main Street. There’s also an authentic NYC-style pizzeria on Main Street: Village Pizza (cash only).
By the way, make sure to stop off at the Spike’s Record Rack (also on Main Street) offering a superior selection of vintage, new and re-issued vinyl records.
In Hudson:
There are enough good restaurants to please even the jaded New Yorker. For elegant coffee and pastry, try The Maker Cafe, which is attached to the sumptuous Maker Hotel. For an Italian feast, head up to Feast & Floret. A little bit off the main strip is Deb’s L’il Oasis, which serves Latin Fusion on Columbia Street—and almost right next to it is a newer, promising spot called Cafe Mutton at Eighth and Columbia.
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