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Easy-peasy lollipop loops. No dogs allowed. Trailhead info at bottom of this post.

Hiking Trail Description

Israel Wittman Sanctuary’s three serene loops have so much to recommend them: lovely quiet mixed forest, delightful footbridges, dozens of stone fences built by early settlers, abandoned quarries, a gorge, exposed rock faces, even a field of glacial erratics.

Located in the Zena Highwoods area where the towns of Woodstock, Saugerties, and Ulster meet, the sanctuary offers 4.4 miles of beautiful, walkable, bikeable trails.

The sanctuary’s three loops — A, B, and now C — are generally quite level; the total elevation gain of all three combined is just 180 feet, so all walkers can enjoy these trails.

However, note: dogs are not allowed on the property.

The land is managed by Woodstock Land Conservancy who were donated the parcel by Elaine Chaback; the sanctuary is named in honor of her father.

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Israel Wittman Sanctuary Notes & Gallery

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Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trails

The Israel Wittman Sanctuary trail system includes…

Newly enlarged parking area

Three loops totaling 4.4 miles

Very easy woods walking

Quarries

A gorge

Footbridges

Vernal ponds

Trails suitable for walking, hiking, trail running, biking

Allow 1-2 hours for this hike.

Israel Wittman Sanctuary Notes & Gallery

The previous parking area was tiny. Enlarged in 2023 through grant funding awarded by The New York State Conservation Partnership Program , the new lot provides, finally, a fitting space for this locally beloved sanctuary.

Walk past the information kiosk and through the stand of hemlock trees , following the yellow blazes . Although there are homes in the area, the sanctuary quickly feels remote and peaceful.

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Sean

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Over the years, I’ve been back to this sanctuary many, many times. It’s only 20 minutes from Kingston and is just so lovely and peaceful.

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This sanctuary is one of my favorite Catskills nature trails .

It’s short and kid-friendly and beautiful .

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Israel Wittman Sanctuary Hiking Trails Trailhead

Enlarged lot now allows for maybe a dozen cars.

Google Maps Location: 42.029147, -74.040656

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

Patchy throughout. My network is Verizon. YMMV.

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The parent mountain for this hike is Overlook .