Celebrate Summer: Explore the Outdoors

Summer is here and we’re getting out to explore the outdoors this season by Hiking the Hudson Valley!  With so many unique opportunities for outdoor adventure just minutes away, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect base-camp for hiking & mountain biking in the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains.

You’ll find five exceptional forest preserves within easy reach of the resort which offer hundreds of miles of scenic trails for hiking and biking through some of the most unique natural landscapes in the Northeast.

Visitors will find a myriad of exciting trails to explore, each with its own allure.  This favorite woodland hike allows visitors to explore some of the most interesting and beautiful features of Minnewaska State Park.

Mossy Glen/Blueberry Run/Castle Point Carriageway Loop

(9 mile loop hike, Moderate Difficulty.  Allow 5.5 Hours)

The Shawangunks are known for their varying terrain and unique micro-habitats, so it can be difficult to experience all they have to offer in just one visit.  The little known Mossy Glen / Blueberry Run / Castle Point Carriageway loop takes hikers on an exhilarating whirlwind tour of the park.

The hike begins on the Mossy Glen footpath, accessable via the Awosting parking lot.  You’ll walk along the cool Glen through a silent forest of hemlock and mountain laurel, crossing and then following the golden Peter’s Kill brook.  Be sure to enjoy the secluded wading pools as you continue through the shady glades.

With little warning you’ll emerge from the forest and find yourself crossing a brilliant white exposure of bedrock.  This is an extraordinary example of the famous Minnewaska barrens: a stark, alien landscape punctuated with scrub pine and blueberries.

Now the Peter’s Kill cuts it’s way gently across the exposed bedrock, babbling softly as it flows.  Continue along the trail, past small waterfalls and inviting wading pools before entering a dense and shady rhododendron  thicket.  The blueberry run trail is just ahead.

You'll emerge from the thicket suddenly to find yourself standing in another slab barren.  Turn left and follow the Blueberry Run footpath.  This moderate ascent will lead you steadily up the ridge through endless wild blueberry bushes, dwarf pitch pine, and stands of mature mountain laurel.

As you gain elevation, you begin to catch glimpses of the park’s famous ridgeline cliffs, standing in stark contrast to the blue sky.  Now you emerge on a massive rock slab offering a stunning northern view of the Catskills which will leave you breathless.  Don’t be fooled: the best is yet to come.

Continue along the Blueberry Run to an open rock ledge at the highest point on the trail, and the Castle Point Carriageway is just ahead.  Turn left onto the Carriageway, and you’ll find yourself emerging at Castle Point, a steep promitory with astonishing panoramic views.

From here you can see the majesty of the Shawangunks and the Hudson Valley:  Lake Awosting is below, Sam's Point may be seen looking to the southwest, Hamilton Point is ahead, and the sheer cliffs of Gertrude’s Nose may be seen to the east across the dramatic Palmaghatt Ravine.

Turning right back onto the carriageway, you’ll descend gradually along the ridge, with intermittent viewpoints from along the ledge affording gorgeous views of the ravine and the face of Gertrude’s Nose.  Continue to Kempton Ledge and enjoy the view.

Soon, you’ll reach  Lake Minnewaska, a crystal clear high-altitude glacier carved lake with dramatic white cliffs rising in sharp contrast to the brilliant sapphire water.  Swimming is allowed in season, and you’ll be thankful for the opportunity to refresh yourself after the long hike.

From here, you’ll follow the scenic Sunset Carriageway a short distance back to the gatehouse.  If you have time for a short side excursion before departing, turn right before the gatehouse for a quick walk to Awosting Falls, one of the most impressive and iconic images in the park.

The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is just minutes from Minnewaska State park and other popular Hudson Valley hiking & mountain biking areas.  The Mononk Preserve, Sundown Wild Forest, Sam's Point Preserve and the Catskill Forest Preserve are all within easy reach, and each offers visitors exciting opportunities for outdoor recreation.

After a long day on the trail, there's nothing better than a relaxing visit to the spa, and our guests enjoy the use of our Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms as well as our beautiful indoor and outdoor pools!  With a fitness center, tennis and basketball, and a golf driving range on site, the Hudson Valley Resort is the perfect place to stay when exploring the Hudson Valley.

Upstate Escapes: Summer Events and Attractions

Summer is just around the corner, and travel to the Hudson Valley Catskills is really starting to heat up!  With endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, an exciting lineup of fairs and cultural festivals, and a thriving farm-to-table and craft beverage movement it’s no wonder the Hudson Valley is quickly becoming one of the top US summertime escapes! 

Outdoor Adventure

Immortalized by the masterpiece landscapes of Hudson River School painters, the epic untamed beauty of the Hudson Valley Catskills offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration.

Winding through an unspoiled natural wilderness, the extensive hiking trails  and waterways of the Catskill State Park bring the traveler through serene forests, over cool, clear creeks and up to majestic views so beautiful they inspired an art movement.

 

The nearby Shawangunk Ridge is a hiking and climbing mecca, and you can experience its beauty at Minnewaska State Park Preserve.  Recognized by The Nature Conservancy as “One of the Last Great Places”, Minnewaska is famous for it’s stunning white cliffs, sapphire blue sky-lakes and unique ecosystem.  It definitely deserves to be on your summer "to do" list.

Canoeing, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, golfing- the Hudson Valley has something to offer everyone.  Other popular summer-time activities in the region include skydiving, river tubing, hang-gliding, and more!  

Fairs and Festivals

Home to countless fairs, festivals, and cultural events throughout the summer, there’s always something exciting going on in the Hudson Valley.  

Visitors have been flocking to the Ulster County Fair for more than 125 years, and it’s no surprise. There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned country fair to celebrate the summer!  Featuring rides, games, agricultural exhibits, local crafts and specialties, musical events and entertainment, the Ulster County fair is fun for all!

 

America's longest running continuous summer chamber music series has been pleasing audiences since 1916, and this year is heating up to be their most exciting season yet! Maverick Concerts invites you to celebrate 100 years of glorious music performed and heard in the historic 1916 concert hall which has echoed in the surrounding woods for visitors to enjoy.  

Growing in popularity each year, the Hudson Valley Rib Fest is the regions largest and most unique BBQ food festival for whole family!  Featuring live music, demonstrations, and of course- the best BBQ ribs in the North East, it’s a two day summer event which is sure to have you coming back for more.

Farm to Table

A recent shift in consumer awareness towards healthier and more sustainable food options has put the Hudson Valley in the spotlight as more and more people are learning what our local growers have known for years- the secret to great food is fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

From fruits & vegetables to honey and maple syrup, artisan breads to small-batch cheeses, the Hudson Valley is producing some of the finest culinary delights on the market today.

Many local farms are inviting people to experience the farm-to-table movement hands-on. Nearby Kelder’s Farm offers educational events, fun for kids, and pick-your-own fruits and veggies allowing visitors a greater appreciation of Hudson Valley produce.

Open rain or shine, the Ellenville Farmers' Market is a small, family friendly market featuring fresh locally grown produce and regional products from Hudson Valley growers.  Live music, monthly visits from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners, kids activities, cooking classes and more are offered to visitors each week.

Looking to quench your thirst?  The Hudson Valley is home to a thriving winemaking, brewing, distilling, and craft cider-making culture which is redefining the American drinks scene.  Explore the Shawangunk Wine Trail for tastings at 14 local wineries, or stop in any number of local craft beverage producers for demonstrations, tours and tastings. 

Whether you're visiting one of the regions many farmer’s markets, picking your own fruits and vegetables right from the vine, or taking time to savor the flavor of a craft beverage- visitors to the Hudson Valley are sure to the taste the difference.

Summer Escapes

Each summer, hundreds of thousands of visitors escape to the Hudson Valley for outdoor adventure, to experience the  fairs and cultural festivals and to enjoy the region’s agricultural bounty, and the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is at the center of it all!  Ideally nestled in the heart of the Shawangunk Mountains and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the Hudson Valley Resort is within minutes of the best summer Hudson Valley attractions. 

Offering guests clean, comfortable accommodations with world-class mountain views, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa features a full service European Health Spa and so much more! Tennis and basketball courts, fitness and arcade centers, and a spacious conference center make the Hudson Valley Resort the ideal choice for your Hudson Valley Getaway, so call or click today, and we'll help make the most of your stay!