Hiking: The Shavertown Trail, an Easy Catskills Hike to Epic Views near Andes, NY | Catskills Hiking
The Shavertown Trail is an easy-to-moderate 3.4-mile round-trip hike that rewards you with big views and peaceful forest scenery just a short climb from the trailhead off Route 30 near the Pepacton Reservoir and the Towns of Andes and Margaretville.
The trailhead for the Shavertown Trail is located on County Route 1 (also known as BWS 4) in the Town of Andes, just down the street from the intersection with CR1/BWS4 and State Highway 30 and the Shavertown Bridge on Highway 30. You’ll cross CR1 and the trail begins climbing the hillside on the other side where you will find a trailhead kiosk and trail register to sign in on.
The Shavertown Trail also includes two different destinations - the Tremperskill Overlook and Snake Pond. We did and we suggest that you visit both locations, which will result in about a 3.4 mile hike with 870 feet of elevation gain along the way. We’ll describe the hike as we did it, first to the Overlook and then to Snake Pond.
From the kiosk, the trail climbs steadily for about four tenths of a mile to the first trail junction. between the Tremperskill Overlook Trail and the Pond Loop Trail. We stayed straight on the Overlook Trail and shortly thereafter came to the second trail junction between the Overlook and Pond Loop Trails. Again, we continued straight ahead and followed the Tremperskill Overlook Trail for seven tenths of a mile to its end at the Tremperskill Overlook, climbing moderately along the way.
At the overlook you get an nice view of the Pepacton Reservior below and the rolling hills of the western Catskills surrounding the Reservoir. There’s also a great big rock that makes the perfect spot to sit back, have a snack, and take in the view (all of which we took the time to do).
From the overlook, we headed back the 0.7 miles along the Tremperskill Ovderlook Trail to the intersection with the Pond Loop Trail. At the trail junction, we turned right to begin climbing up to Snake Pond on the loop trail.
The Pond Loop Trail climbs steadily for about two tenths of a mile to Snake Pond and the overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir from the pond.
Snake Pond is a serene mountainside pond perfect for a quiet break or nature photography, along with its stunning overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir, one of the most beautiful views in the portion of the western Catskills.
From Snake Pond, we continued on the Pond Loop, climbing up the back side of the pond to the height of land, where we began descending on an old logging road. Along the way we went through several open fields offering views of the surrounding mountains, and passed a weather station used to monitor weather in this region of the Catskills.
The Pond Loop climbs and the descends back to the first trail junction in five tenths of a mile. At that trail junction, you’ll turn left and follow the trail back to the trailhead on CR1/BWS4.
The trailhead for the Shavertown Trail is located on County Route 1 (also known as BWS 4) in the Town of Andes, just down the street from the intersection with CR1/BWS4 and State Highway 30 and the Shavertown Bridge on Highway 30. You’ll cross CR1 and the trail begins climbing the hillside on the other side where you will find a trailhead kiosk and trail register to sign in on.
The Shavertown Trail also includes two different destinations - the Tremperskill Overlook and Snake Pond. We did and we suggest that you visit both locations, which will result in about a 3.4 mile hike with 870 feet of elevation gain along the way. We’ll describe the hike as we did it, first to the Overlook and then to Snake Pond.
From the kiosk, the trail climbs steadily for about four tenths of a mile to the first trail junction. between the Tremperskill Overlook Trail and the Pond Loop Trail. We stayed straight on the Overlook Trail and shortly thereafter came to the second trail junction between the Overlook and Pond Loop Trails. Again, we continued straight ahead and followed the Tremperskill Overlook Trail for seven tenths of a mile to its end at the Tremperskill Overlook, climbing moderately along the way.
At the overlook you get an nice view of the Pepacton Reservior below and the rolling hills of the western Catskills surrounding the Reservoir. There’s also a great big rock that makes the perfect spot to sit back, have a snack, and take in the view (all of which we took the time to do).
From the overlook, we headed back the 0.7 miles along the Tremperskill Ovderlook Trail to the intersection with the Pond Loop Trail. At the trail junction, we turned right to begin climbing up to Snake Pond on the loop trail.
The Pond Loop Trail climbs steadily for about two tenths of a mile to Snake Pond and the overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir from the pond.
Snake Pond is a serene mountainside pond perfect for a quiet break or nature photography, along with its stunning overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir, one of the most beautiful views in the portion of the western Catskills.
From Snake Pond, we continued on the Pond Loop, climbing up the back side of the pond to the height of land, where we began descending on an old logging road. Along the way we went through several open fields offering views of the surrounding mountains, and passed a weather station used to monitor weather in this region of the Catskills.
The Pond Loop climbs and the descends back to the first trail junction in five tenths of a mile. At that trail junction, you’ll turn left and follow the trail back to the trailhead on CR1/BWS4.
Shavertown Trail Details:
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Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:
📍 Trailhead: Shavertown Trailhead just off Highway 30 in Andes (Google Maps)
🥾 Distance: ~3.4 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~870 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
💦 Highlights: Two epic views, Snake Pond high on the mountainside
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You can find more information about this hike on:- The NYNJ Trail Conference's Catskill Trails Map Set
- National Geographic's Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park
- Hiking the Catskills Guidebook
Outdoor Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services:
Advice and Recommended Gear:
Gear we used on this hike:
- Goodr Sunglasses
- Osprey Talon 22 Pack
- Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pockets
- Altra Lone Peak Hiking Shoes
- Darn Tough Midweight Hiking Socks
- REI Traverse Trekking Poles
- NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
- Nalgene 32-ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottles
- Energizer LED Headlamp
- NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
- Garmin Forerunner 255 Smartwatch
- Garmin InReach Explorer+ GPS
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Important Hiking Considerations:
- Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions. Weather can be unpredictable, so bring appropriate clothing and gear.
- Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing. It's also a good idea to hike with a friend or let someone know about your hiking plans.
- Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
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