Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy .

A bushwhack route that requires top-notch backcountry navigation skills. Trailhead info at bottom of this post.

Hiking Trail Description

Bushwhacking from Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak is a truly delightful hike, peppered with as much history as moss.

This route has become my favorite way to get to the summit of Kaaterskill High Peak. It’s the shortest route, with the lowest amount of elevation gain and, by far, is just the loveliest time from beginning to end.

It also has the least mud—which, if you know Kaaterskill High Peak’s at all, you understand what a big win this is.

This entire route is untrailed. Getting off of Round Top’s summit is tricky. Make sure you are fully comfortable hiking off-trail in the wilderness, and you know how to use a compass .

BTW, you might also enjoy…

UPDATED › Best Bug Spray & Bug Repellent for Hikers

CATSKILLS › Peakbagging The Catskills High Peaks (Ultimate Guide)

STAY › Find Your Perfect Catskills Stay

ADIRONDACKS › Wright, Algonquin & Iroquois Peaks

LEARN › Teach Yourself How to Use a Compass

ENTERTAINMENT › Best & Worst Hiking Movies

Follow › My Instagram @TotalCatskills

Follow › My Substack @TotalCatskills

Follow › My writing for Times Union

Table of Contents

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Hike Time

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Elevation Gain

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Hike Notes & Gallery

Similar Hikes

Get full access…

Hot on the website right now…

Follow for more…

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak

The Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak route includes…

Off-trail hiking the whole way

Steep terrain

A stream crossing

A lot of moss

Historical spots like the Tory Fort

Some of The Catskills’ finest views

A plane wreck (optional)

A full breakdown is provided in the hike notes below, with 21 photos .

Find your dream getaway in the Catskills

The only directory dedicated exclusively to Catskills vacation rentals.

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Hike Time

Allow 3-4 hours for this hike.

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Elevation Gain

The elevation gain for this hike is 2,200 feet (apx 670 meters).

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Hike Notes & Gallery

Start at the last parking area on Gillespie Road. See the exact trailhead location at the bottom of this page.

Look for a herd path through the tall grass…

…and, for a short distance only, follow an old road. Then follow a turn-off to the right and head along a flat section until you reach the stream.

You’ve got the basic details, but there’s so much more…

Unlock this site now to get complete intel on every route, including my full photo galleries, personal insights and tips. Elevate your next hike with deep trail beta. Experience hundreds of amazing routes at their absolute finest. With Mountain-Hiking.com, you’re not just skimming the surface.

Unlock the Full Wesbite

Sean

Get full access now and enjoy member-only benefits.

Similar Hikes

Kaaterskill High Peak has so many adventures in store for you. There are so many great spots all over the mountain.

Read More

Get full access…

Get instant access to the full version of this site and enjoy great supporter benefits: full galleries, full trail notes, early access to the latest content, and more.

Hot on the website right now…

Follow for more…

Follow my @TotalCatskills content on Instagram for regular hiking inspo and safe, inclusive community.

I also stay active on Facebook and Threads .

Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak Trailhead

Small rough lot

Google Maps Location: 42.171337, -74.113721

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

Okay-ish throughout. Patchy but workable. Mostly. My network is Verizon. YMMV.

2 responses to “ Round Top to Kaaterskill High Peak ”

Jeff says:

April 10, 2025 at 11:06 am

Thanks Sean this looks preferable to mud and nettles. I may give it a try.

Reply

Sean says:

April 10, 2025 at 4:58 pm

You’ll love it. Big fun. There’s so much to explore on that mountain but I think this will be my most common way to get to the summit — because every other way is such a slog!

Reply

Your comments are welcome here… Cancel reply

The parent mountain for this hike is Round Top .