The 11,000 acre Hunter Mountain Wild Forest is located in Greene County in the towns of Hunter, Jewett, and Lexington, in the northeast portion of the Catskill Forest Preserve.

Hunter Mountain Wild Forest is a mountainous area. There are six main peaks located within the wild forest; Hunter Mountain (4,040 feet), Southwest Hunter (3,740 feet), Rusk Mountain (3,680 feet), Evergreen Mountain 3,360 feet), Pine Island Mountain (3,140 feet), and Packsaddle Mountain (3,100 feet). The area is rugged and there is limited access to the Forest. There are several year round and seasonal streams which either flow to the Schoharie in the north or to the Westkill in the south.

The area can be accessed from NYS Route 214 and Greene County Route 6 (Spruceton Road). Watch for trailheads and forest preserve access parking areas along these routes.

From the East

• Becker Hollow Trailhead - approximately 1.3 miles south of the intersection of NY 214 and 23A.
• Devil's Path Trailhead - approximately 2.8 miles south of the intersection of NY 214 and 23A.

From the West

Along Greene County Route 6 (Spructeon Road):

• Diamond Notch Trailhead - approximately 7 miles east of Westkill.
• Hunter Mountain (Spruceton Road) Trailhead may also be used - 6.75 miles east of Westkill on the north side of the road. Hunter Mountain Fire Tower

Hiking in Hunter Mountain Wild Forest

Click on the image above for a map of the hiking trails on Hunter Mounatin

Hunter Mountain
The summit of Hunter Mountain can be attained by four different routes. Two are located within the Hunter Mountain Wild Forest.

Diamond Notch Trail (Blue Trail Markers)
This trail was developed during the 1937 season primarily as a ski trail from the Stony Clove Road (Route 214) near Lanesville to the Spruceton Road near its junction with the old Spruceton-Hunter Road.

A gentle three mile hike with an ascent of 1,300' from the south of the notch, and a 700' ascent from the north to the notch. Hikers will find the Diamond Notch Lean-to just to the north of the notch, and can visit Buttermilk Falls at the Devil's Path Junction. This beautiful waterfall drops about 25 feet in an amphitheater-like setting, with a small meadow nearby. Just to the east of the Falls, the Devil's Path enters the Hunter Mountain Wild Forest.

The northern portion of the Diamond Notch trail, leading from the parking lot along the Spruceton Road to the Falls, is a popular 2 mile round trip family hike and is identified as such in the "Catskill Adventure - Day Hikes and Paddles for Families" brochure.

Becker Hollow Trail (Blue Trail Markers) This trail begins at the trailhead along State Route 214, just north of Devil's Tombstone Campground. This short trail is arguably the most difficult hike in the Catskills - climbing nearly 2,000 feet in two miles. However, for those willing to exert the energy, the reward is a short route to the summit of Hunter Mountain with it's spectacular views.

Spruceton and Colonel's Chair Trails (Blue Trail Markers) This 3.6 mile trail is to the fire tower access road. Along it you can visit the John Robb leanto and take in good views of the Westkill Mountain Wilderness and Spruceton Valley. A short one mile trail leads off to the north, just above the leanto, to the upper ski lift area on Hunter Mountain. This yellow marked trail, known as Colonel's Chair, will also lead you to the resort's snack bar, which is seasonally open!

Devil's Path (Red Trail Markers)
This trail because of the rugged country which it traverses, is known as the "Devil's Path." The easterly section over the ridge of Indian Head, Twin, and Sugarloaf mountains was first opened in 1930. The westerly continuation over Plateau and Hunter Mountains was opened in 1935. The trail follows the height of land on the range for almost its entire length and beautiful vistas of the Catskill region are enjoyed from numerous points along the way.

There is 4.2 miles of this very popular trail that travels in the wild forest. This hike is considered strenuous, rising approximately 1500 feet within two miles. Views along the trail are spectacular, and include the Spruceton Valley, Plateau Mountain, and south to Ulster County. A seasonal spring and the Devils Acre leanto are located near the summit of Hunter Mountain at the trail junction of the Devil's Path and the yellow-marked Hunter Mountain Trail.

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