How long is the North Point loop hike?

The route is about 5.2 miles round-trip with roughly 860 feet of elevation gain, making it a solid half-day adventure.

Where do you start the hike?

You begin and end at the Scutt Road Trailhead, just before the entrance to the North‑South Lake Campground.

What are the highlights of this hike?

Highlights include the North Point overlook with wide Hudson Valley panoramas, Mary’s Glen, and the Badman’s Cave.

Is this hike family-friendly?

This is a moderate trail with some rocky sections and climbs. Kids who are used to uphill walking should be fine, but be ready to carry littles on steeper sections.

When's the best time to hike to North Point?

Late spring through early fall is ideal for clear views and greener trails. Summer brings lush forests; fall offers colorful foliage. Winter means ice—bring traction if you're heading out then.

Hiking to North Point: One of the Best Viewpoints in the Catskills from North-South Lake

Discover one of the best views in the Catskills with this rewarding hike to North Point from near the North-South Lake Campground. Enjoy sweeping overlooks of the Hudson Valley and explore hidden gems like Badman’s Cave along the way.

Looking for one of the best views in the northeastern Catskills? Join us as we hike to North Point, a dramatic overlook high above the North-South Lake Campground that offers epic views of the Hudson Valley, the surrounding mountain peaks, and beyond.

There are a number of different ways to hike to North Point (along with many different trails) and that’s why the number one thing you need for a hike in this area is a map. We suggest either the Catskill Trails Map Set or the Catskill Park Trails Illustrated Map. You can also find these trails on the AllTrails app - but a paper map should always be in your backpack.

North Point via Rock Shelter Trail Description

We started our hike at the Scutt Road Trailhead, just outside North-South Lake Campground and just off North Lake Road. Note that this is a very popular hiking area and this trailhead also provides access to Kaaterskill Falls, which means that it fills up very quickly, especially on weekends. We were there on a Sunday afternoon and had to wait for a parking spot.

From the Scutt Road trailhead, we headed north past the kiosk at the top of the parking area, crossed North Lake Road, and then followed the Rock Shelter Trail 1.3 miles to the intersection with the Mary’s Glen Trail. From there we followed the Mary’s Glen Trail 0.8 miles to its intersection with the Escarpment Trail. We then hiked 0.25 miles north on the Escarpment Trail to reach the summit of North Point and it’s many views.

The Rock Shelter trail gently gains elevation from Scutt Road to Mary’s Glen and traverses several muddy and rocky areas along the way. The Mary’s Glen Trail begins climbing more, passing through several rock ledges and scrambles before leveling out and traversing another very muddy area before the intersection with the Escarpment Trail. The climb on the Escarpment Trail is the steepest section, with a few rock ledges and many rock stairs to help you gain the elevation to North Point.

On the descent, we went back down (heading south) the 0.25 miles of the Escarpment Trail to the intersection with the Mary’s Glen Trail. Instead of hiking back the way we came from there, we stayed on the Escarpment Trail and hiked 0.7 miles south to the intersection with the Rock Shelter Trail at Badman’s Cave. From there we walked the Rock Shelter Trail 0.5 miles to the intersection with the Mary’s Glen Trail and then the 1.3 miles of the Rock Shelter Trail back to the trailhead on Scutt Road.

This is a moderate, roughly 5.2 mile hike with about 860 feet of climbing that some folks may find a bit more difficult because of the rock scrambles and the rock ledges the trail passes through. None of the scrambles or ledges are technical, nor are they particularly difficult - just take your time and any hiker will be able to make it up and down them.

North Point via Rock Shelter Trail Details:

📍 Trailhead: Scutt Road Trailhead (Google Maps)
🥾 Distance: ~5.2 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~860 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Moderate with some steep, rocky sections
💦 Highlights: Epic view at North Point, cascades at Mary’s Glen, exploring Bad Man’s Cave
🗺️ GPS Information: Trail Route in GPX Format

Find out more about hiking North Point via the Rock Shelter Trail

You can find out more about hiking North Point via the Rock Shelter Trail here:

Hiking the Catskills: Explore all that the Catskills have to offer for hiking adventures on our Hiking the Catskills page.

Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center (5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper) on the Web, Facebook, Instagram, and in person.

Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

Hikes near North Point

Gear we used on the hike to North Point:

🥾 Check out our ever growing hiking and backpacking gear list to see what we use on all of our day hikes and backpacking trips

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Our Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations

Important Hiking Considerations:

Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
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.