Hiking in Kaaterskill Falls Trail Head: trails, map and practical info

The Falls

Kaaterskill Falls is one of New York's most iconic and tallest waterfalls, dropping in two distinct tiers through a horseshoe-shaped amphitheater of rock with a total height of approximately 260 feet. The upper tier is the more dramatic of the two, and the lower tier feeds into a pool at the base that's become a popular stopping point for hikers. The sheer scale of the rock walls surrounding the falls gives the place a cathedral-like feel — it's the kind of spot that tends to quiet people down when they first see it.

The falls have a long cultural history tied to the Hudson River School of painting. Artists like Thomas Cole and Asher B. Durand painted this landscape in the 19th century, helping to establish the Catskills as a destination and contributing to what would eventually become the American conservation movement. Standing at the base of the falls, it's easy to understand why this place captured so much artistic attention.