Hiking: Hunter Mountain Loop (Spruceton Trail, Hunter Mtn Trail & Devil's Path) | Catskill Mountains, NY

I recently had the opportunity to get the staff of the Trail Conference out to the Catskills to show them around the region and give them an overview of where I work.  I had chosen to show off some of the major projects we've accomplished in the last year (including our new Platte Clove bridge) and we finished off the day with what I consider one of the quintessential hikes of the Catskills, the loop over Hunter Mountain using the Spruceton Trail, the Hunter Mountain Trail and then the Devil's Path to start and finish down in Spruceton Valley.  Along the way you get to see two lean-tos, a fire tower and go through several different types of trails that all are pretty representative of the types of trails you'll find in the Catskills.

I've done this hike before and it's written up on here, so I won't go into too many details, but suffice to say the 7+ mile hike never fails to disappoint and even though I have probably been on top of Hunter Mountain more than any other mountain in the Catskills, I am still impressed and enjoy myself every time I'm up there.

We had some great fall weather with blue skies about as far as the eye can see.  From the different viewpoints along the way and at the fire tower, the views were breathtaking.  I always tell people that this is one of the best loop hikes in the Catskills and a trip on a day like this day just reinforce that in my mind.

Previous Trips on Hunter Mountain

• Skiing the Spruceton Trail to John Robb Lean-to
• Hunter Mountain Loop Hike
• Guide to Hiking to Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
• Rebuilding the John Robb Lean-to
• Hunter Mountain via the Devil's Path and Becker Hollow Trails
• Free Brochures and Maps for the Fire Towers of the Catskills

Need more information on hiking and planning your 

trips to the Catskills and the Catskill Park?

Read up on the Catskill Park at our Catskill Mountains Information Page for hikes, advice, travel and planning information. We have a Guide to Hiking in the Catskills available and on our sister site, ReviewThis is a Guide to visiting the Catskill Park.

Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills? We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set. These maps are the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park. The Catskill Center offers a regional map of the Catskills that provides an excellent overview of the region, it's roadways, attractions and trails. National Geographic Trails Illustrated also produces a map for the region. 

How about a guidebook? Both AMC and ADK publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps that will help you as you hike and explore the Catskill Mountains region. 

If you are looking for more information about the extensive history of the Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park, we would suggest reading The Catskills, From Wilderness to Woodstock and The Catskill Park, Inside the Blue Line. For the most comprehensive natural history of the Catskill Park and the Forests of the Catskill region, we recommend reading The Catskill Forest, a History by Michael Kudish.