Wittenberg Mountain

Phoenicia (Ulster County)

Why we love it

The rocky, amphitheater-like clearing at Wittenberg’s summit feels like it was custom-designed to reward hikers with the best possible view. As you emerge from the dense forest into the back of the amphitheater, the ground drops away toward the horizon, offering a near-endless vista across the Ashokan Reservoir and surrounding peaks. Of course, a view like that requires some work — 2,600 feet in total ascent on your 7.5-mile round-trip journey. But for those willing to make the effort, the payoff may very well be the finest view in all the Catskills.

More to explore

Nearby Phoenicia serves as a gateway to the Catskills, offering many dining and lodging options. Woodland Valley Campground, where this hike begins, offers 70 tent and trailer sites as well as a multitude of other hiking options.

Highlights

• Challenging hike
• Perhaps the best view in the Catskills

Directions, hours, etc.: https://hikethehudsonvalley.com/hikes/wittenberg-mountain/