Woodstock New York, NY 12498 | Recreation | Biking

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Biking in the Catskill Mountains
Both experienced and novice cyclists will find routes suitable to their level in the Catskills, which offers challenging trails as well as alluring easier trails and roads. Interestingly, the height of almost all Catskills peaks is about 3,000 feet.

There are a number of bike routes on old country roads near New Paltz and the northern Shawangunks. You can take a loop from New Paltz to Ashokan Reservoir: Go through the Mohonk Preserve and across the Shawangunks on Mountain Rest Road and Mohonk Road; then reach the lake via State Road 213; skirt the lake on State Road 28A; take Acorn Hill Road and Samsonville Road back south through some of Catskill Park; cross Minnewaska State Park on State Road 55; and return to New Paltz on State Road 299. You cross three watersheds throughout the route - the Wallkill, the Rondout, and the Esopus - visit the fearful cliffs of the Shawangunks, and explore the largest of the reservoirs of the Catskills. This is a difficult road route, with steep little uphills, over 50 miles.

The Minnewaska State Park Preserve, located along the Shawangunk Ridge, near New Paltz via State Road 55, contains 40 miles of roomy carriage roads, marked trails, and remarkable views of the Catskill Mountains. Near Minnewaska are the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the Mohonk Preserve, which are much shorter. In the Mohonk Preserve, (for a fee) you can cycle past the famous Mohonk House resort, the only one of the old 19th century resorts still standing and open for business. This is all fairly easy mountain biking territory.