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Many travelers have wandered through the Catskills in the past, with many an artist, writer, or photographer falling in love with the landscape. Not only popular with the artistically inclined, but the Catskills also became famously popular with tourists in the middle of the past century with massive hotels being erected across the mountains. With their abandonment, the Catskills have gained a haunted element.

These old mountains are not only iconic for their beauty but for the important place they hold in New York’s history. The 5,892 square miles of protected forest in the Catskills are home to more than 30 peaks that stretch 3,500 feet high. This may at times feel like heaven on earth, but then there are the creepy hotel ruins which are great for changing the mood and can make for a creepy Halloween encounter.

Hiking The Haunted Catskills

Legends and secrets fill the Catskills as so many interesting and bizarre events have occurred here in the past. Such legends include that of Rip Van Winkle and even the remains of a plane crash near Katterskill High Peak Trail, which can still be seen. Surprises in the Catskills hardly end there. Hikes like Overlook Mountain are famous for the sheer number of mysterious sites from the region's past. Overlook Mountain is far more than bird watching destination. It is one of the travelers’ best chances to look into the creepy remains of the Catskills’ past.

Hiking The Haunted Overlook Mountain

Travelers looking for a great hike this Halloween season that incorporates the usual scenic elements of a hike with a less peaceful and more haunting vibe. The treasures travelers can discover along this trail are a vast number of little Easter eggs to find. These Easter eggs include a few abandoned hotels that travelers will pass on their way up. Many of these properties have an interesting and possibly tragic story about why they are as they are.

However, that is hardly the limit of what can be discovered. From plane crash ruins to abandoned hotels and fire towers, there is so much to find on Overlook Mountain.

Related: Ride The Famed Rail Explorers To See The Best Views Of The Catskills

Hidden Gems Of Overlook Mountain

This trail stretches for about 5 miles out and back, making it a fantastic day hike with some wiggle room for exploring the wondrous things that travelers are more than likely to stumble across. One of the eerie discoveries travelers will make are the ruins of Overlook Mountain House, which was built back in 1833. Located about 1.6 miles into the hike, it was previously well known for sitting at such a high elevation. However, three fires would take their toll on the structure. After the final fire in 1960 destroyed its famous rooftop tower, the structure was abandoned.

Today, travelers hiking to the summit of Overlook Mountain will often use the ruins of this old hotel as a bit of a pit stop. Some will even explore the grounds of the hotel to see what they can discover. Peering into the building, travelers can almost imagine what it must have been like to stay here a century ago.

The Summit Of The Hike

Once travelers reach the summit of their hike, the adventure isn’t quite over yet. Travelers will likely spot the 60-foot historic fire tower that looks beyond the summit of Overlook Mountain.

Travelers may want a breather before climbing 60 feet to the top of the fire tower for some of the best views of the Catskills possible. Who knows what else travelers may be able to spot from the top of the tower?

Related: Explore The Irish Alps, AKA The 'Emerald Isle Of The Catskills'

The Fire Towers On The Hike

Travelers should not miss out on the chance to experience the views from one of the Catskills' last remaining fire towers. Travelers will have a fantastic view of the Ashokan Reservoir, Hudson River, and the nearby Catskill Mountains from both the stairs and the cab at the top of the tower.

Extend The Hike By Camping

Though there are no designated campsites on this route, primitive camping is allowed. Travelers often add Echo Lake to their route, which adds about 3.5 miles, to make the adventure more camping worthy. The nice thing about camping, though, is more time to explore the haunted sites along the hike.

Important To Know Before Hiking

It is important to note that the DEC strongly advises against entering abandoned buildings along this hike. It is perfectly safe to view the structures from the outside. But, with years of not being maintained, it is not safe to explore inside the buildings as it is unknown exactly how stable the structure is. However, there is plenty to discover from safety, just outside their walls.

On a lighter note, parking is also important when visiting Overlook Mountain. On warm days, this is a popular place to be, so travelers should make sure to arrive early so they don’t need to worry about parking.