If you have never been to New York, you will probably focus all or most of your attention on touring city landmarks, which of course is a life-changing experience, but if you have a day or two to spare, and are the outdoorsy adventurous type, you would definitely enjoy a day hiking or rock scrambling at Mohonk Mountain. It is located on the Shawangunk Ridge, in the Hudson Valley, a section of the Appalachian Mountains, 90 miles north of New York City.
Being a graduate of SUNY New Paltz, Mohonk is like a second home to me. Living near Chicago now, we still return to New York a few times a year and I make certain that we always make time for a day of hiking and climbing. There are 85 miles of hiking trails with breathtaking views of Mohonk Lake and the Catskills. If you are a mountain climber, this is the place for you. Over 50,000 climbers visit here each year to challenge themselves with the 1000+ climbing routes. We are not climbers so we typically just pack a picnic lunch, tackle the rock scramble,,which takes a few hours for us to accomplish, and enjoy lunch atop the mountain. The list of outdoor activities is abundant: horsebacking riding kayaking, canoeing, golfing, etc.
If you have a night or two to spare, a stay at the award winning victorian castle resort, Mohonk Mountain House, is a must. Here you will experience the true feeling of an upstate New York retreat.
So, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City, rent a car and head to Mohonk. The beauty and serenity of the East Coast wilderness will be the perfect contrast to your urban vacation.
Pedis-n-Passports 