7 Must Do Fall Foliage Hikes in Upstate New York
The Last One’s My Favorite
View from Sleeping Beauty
Some of the best fall foliage you can witness in the U.S. is in the Northeast and my former home of Upstate New York.
If you’ve never been to this region during the fall, you’re truly missing out. The bright red, orange, and yellow popping leaves will take your breath away.
This is my recommendation list of the best hikes in New York for fall colors and leaf peeping.
Time your visit accordingly if you’re wanting to hit peak foliage.
Peak season comes earlier in the Adirondacks and Catskills, around late September or early October, while it comes later in the areas that are in the middle and southern regions of the state.
Stay up to date with the NY Fall Foliage Report.
The AllTrails URL is linked in every title so you can easily access additional trail information like trail conditions and recent trail photos.
1. Kaaterskill Falls
Where: Palenville, NY
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail length: 1.7 mi
Peak Foliage: 1st or 2nd week of October
This is one of those hikes I’ve done more than I can count.
The first time I did this trail I was lucky and timed it perfectly when the waterfall was flowing strong and the leaves were just starting to change.
I was completely blown away by the size of the waterfall, which you can view from multiple angles — below, above, and behind.
It is a very popular hike given it’s proximity to NYC and can get crowded on the weekend.
Kaaterskill falls is worth facing the crowds and all the steps, which there are a lot of so bring good shoes.
I would recommend stopping in Tannersville for lunch after the hike.
2. Huckleberry Point
Where: Elka Park, NY
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail length: 4.6 mi
Peak Foliage: 1st or 2nd week of October
Here’s another Catskills hike I’d recommend doing in the fall.
Even though the peaks are smaller than the Adirondacks, you still get amazing views from the point of the hillside dotted with bright orange and yellow leaves.
This is a great hike with excellent views and is a lot easier than some of the high peak hikes I list at the end.
Huckleberry Point is the perfect hike for families, kids, and non-hikers — feels like a brisk walk in the woods most of the way!
3. Moxham Mountain
Where: Minerva, NY
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail length: 5.3 mi
Peak Foliage: late September to mid-October
I wish I had found out about this trail sooner!
I’ve only hiked it once, but I would gladly do it again any time of the year.
Moxham Mountain trail is another relatively easy hike with great views of the fall colors and a unique marshy terrain below.
Located only 40 minutes northwest of Lake George, it’s the perfect day trip hike for out of town visitors.
There is plenty of parking along the road if the lot fills up, so you don’t have to wave up super early to claim a spot for this one.
Practice mindfulness in the outdoors and pick up your very own Mountaintop journal here!
4. Thacher Park - Indian Ladder Trail
Where: Voorheesville, NY
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail length: 1 mi
Peak Foliage: mid October
If you’re looking for a really short, easy hike near the Albany area, this hike is for you.
John Boyd Thacher State Park offers great views of the surrounding Helderberg Mountains, especially in the fall.
Within the park is the Indian Ladder Trail which brings you down to the bottom of Outlet Falls.
Online it is referred to as an out and back trail, but I usually turn it into a loop by following the Escarpment trail at the top of the stairs that follows the edge of the cliff back to the parking lot.
Hang out at the park for a while after your hike! There are plenty of picnic tables, grills, and a playground.
5. Sleeping Beauty
Where: Fort Ann, NY
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail length: 4.4 mi
Peak Foliage: 1st or 2nd week of October
I did this hike at least once a year when I lived in New York.
It’s relatively easy, and not too far of a drive from where I lived in Albany.
In my opinion, it’s the best fall foliage hike near Lake George, because you get such beautiful views of the mountains below and the lake.
If you time it right, around mid-October, you’ll experience epic views like this.
Be sure to get there early, if you’re hiking on the weekend to get a good parking spot.
This hike was one of my favorite autumn traditions and would always take friends and out-of-towners to Sleeping Beauty.
Hit the town of Lake George on your way out!
6. Cascade Mountain
Where: Lake Placid, NY
Trail difficulty: Hard
Trail length: 4.4 mi
Peak Foliage: the last week of September and the first week of October
Cascade was my very first high peak, a mountain in New York that’s over 4,000 ft, so it holds a special place in my heart.
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, and want to tackle a high peak that is on the easier end of the spectrum, then I’d recommend Cascade (most people to Cascade and Porter).
Located in the heart of the Adirondack mountains, the peak of Cascade Mountain offers sweeping views of some of the tallest peaks in New York.
In the fall, the surrounding area turns into a sea of orange.
Remember the leaves change a lot earlier in the northern part of the state, as early as mid September, so don’t miss peak leaf peeping season.
7. Big Slide
Where: Keene Valley, NY
Trail difficulty: Hard
Trail length: 8.8 mi
Peak Foliage: the last week of September and the first week of October
This is my favorite fall hike I’ve ever done!
It’s a long day, but it’s totally worth it.
I love this trail because the trail has parts that are pretty exposed so you get great openings along the trail that aren’t obstructed by tree coverage, so you get fantastic views along the way.
In the fall, the mountains are transformed into a blanket of orange and red and it’s absolutely breath taking.
I can’t recommend Big Slide enough for my more experienced hikers.
Again, don’t wait to long in the season to do this hike. If you wait until mid October, peak foliage will likely have passed.
