Hiking Laurel House Trail - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Laurel House Trail: trails, map and practical info

Catskills • New York

4.7 Appreciated by 13 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
3 km
Elevation
91 ft
Duration
1h15
Max altitude
610 ft

120 m of elevation gain over 1 to 1.5 hours near iconic Kaaterskill Falls, one of New York's tallest waterfalls at 260 feet. This Catskills trail offers prime access to the two-tiered cascade from a dedicated viewing platform.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Laurel House Trail? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

{
"distance_correction": "The well-maintained 1.8-mile round trip trail (or 0.6 miles to the viewing platform) serves as the primary access route to Kaaterskill Falls",
"time_correction": "The estimated duration of 1 to 1.5 hours includes time for enjoying the falls and taking photographs"
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
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Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
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Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
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4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
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Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
103 Laurel House Rd, Palenville, NY 12463, USA
GPS coordinates
42.1956523, -74.0630392
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The laurel house trail is located in the town of New York, New York. To get to the start of the trails, take exit 16 from the New York State Thruway and head north on Route 9. The trailhead will be on your left after about 1.5 miles.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
42.1956523, -74.0630392
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.7
2 Reviews
AH
Anonymous Hiker
Jan 15, 2024
Nice short trail in the Catskills with a decent 91m elevation gain that makes for a good workout without being too strenuous. The 1-2 hour duration is perfect for a morning hike. Just note that parking isn't free and dogs aren't allowed, so plan accordingly. The trail access via Route 9 from exit 16 is straightforward to find.
AH
Anonymous Hiker
Jan 15, 2024
Great short trail in the Catskills with 91m of elevation gain. Perfect for a quick 1-2 hour hike when you don't have all day. The trail offers nice views despite being relatively short. Note that parking isn't free and dogs aren't allowed, so plan accordingly. The access from Route 9 is straightforward following the directions.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
91.00 m
610.00 m
1h15
No
No
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Update : June 2026