Hiking & Recreation in Andes, NY

Photo: Ann Roberti

There are many reasons to fall in love and stay in love with Andes, and at the top of this list is the beautiful natural environment and all the fun things one can do outside.

Hiking and walking are among the most popular outdoor activities in Andes and throughout the Catskills.  There are many wonderful hiking trails in Andes and in the nearby areas, suitable for all levels of ability.

The Andes Rail Trail has a one mile (2 miles round trip) flat walk on an old railbed, with a natural grassy surface where the old ties can still be seen underfoot.  After about a mile one can continue on the Bullet Hole Spur for a more strenuous hike through many different types of woodland environments.  Both sections of the trail are lovely with wonderful views.

Fishing on the Pepacton Reservoir: Bob Moses

The Shavertown Trail is more strenuous hike but after working a little bit for the first mile, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Pepacton Reservoir and the mountains beyond, while sitting next to a clear mountain pond with pink and white waterlilies and many types of wildflowers.  After the pond, the remaining mileage is a relatively level walk through lovely outcroppings and forest.

The Palmer Hill Trail is less strenuous than the Bullet Hole Spur and the Shavertown Trail, but definitely not a flat walk in the park.  One feature of the Palmer Hill Trail is the spectacular view right from the trailhead.  The trail is unusual in that most of it is through large open fields with expansive views.

Filters

  • Show All
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Swimming & Fishing

Alder Lake
2955 Cross Mountain Rd Margaretville , NY

Alder Lake is a great location if you are looking for a quiet waterbody with not a lot of other boating activity. This lake is perfect for using a kayak or canoe. Anglers report of catching some nice sized brook trout. Camping is also available.  

Visit

Andes Rail Trail and Bullet Hole Spur
266 Depot Street Andes , NY

The Andes Rail Trail is an easily accessible hiking trail in an idyllic setting, suitable for individuals and families of all ages. The trail starts at the beautiful pergola and gate at 266 Depot Street.  Pass the historic Depot Building, erected in 1907. The first section of the trail continues for one very flat mile…

Visit

Ballantine Park
204 Lower Main St Andes , NY

Ballantine Park is a little gem of a park in downtown Andes where you can walk along the Tremperskill and listen to its music. We got the following message from Maria Ditchek and Marty Donnelly, who serve as the trustees of the park: Ballantine Park was mostly a marshland accumulating…

Visit

Bicycle Riding
NY-30 Andes , NY

Whether you’re a mountain bike grinder or a road bike speedster, the roads and trails around Andes make for superb riding. The roads around the Pepacton Reservoir make for great road biking.   For a relatively flat 20 mile loop, you can start at the Shavertown bridge and bike to Margaretville…

Visit

Big Pond
549 Barkaboom Road Andes , NY

Swim, fish, camp, hike or just enjoy the view at this 51 acre lake

Visit

Bird Watching
356 Depot St Andes , NY

From owls to loons, Andes birders have the chance to see hundreds of different bird species. The mixed open fields and woodland environments of the Andes Rail Trail, the Palmer Hill Trail and the Shavertown Trail are especially good sites for bird watching.  Palmer Hill regularly is home to nesting Baltimore…

Visit

Camping
Little Pond State Campgrounds Andes , NY

Once you see what a beautiful places Big Pond and Alder Lake are, you’ll want to keep them to yourselves. Both of these ponds are on state land with designated campsites but no services or lifeguards — swim and camp the way we used to — bring your floats and…

Visit

Fishing
NY-30 Andes , NY

The Catskills are renown for fishing, whether you are looking for brown trout or smallmouth bass in the deep waters of the Pepacton or want to try your hand a fly fishing, Andes has the water for you. Pepacton Reservoir– The biggest brown trout in the Catskills, and perhaps in…

Visit

Golf and Miniature Golf
Delhi College Golf Course Scotch Mountain Road , NY

Delhi College Golf Course is a premiere 18 hole golf course 15 minutes from downtown Andes. It includes a driving range, practice course, pro shop and Cafe on the Green restaurant. The Meadows Golf Center, in Margaretville, has an inexpensive par 3 9 hole course and a practice range.  The…

Visit

Hiking / Walking
415 Depot St Andes , NY

There are many reasons to fall in love and stay in love with Andes, and at the top of this list is the beautiful natural environment and all the fun things one can do outside. Hiking and walking are among the most popular outdoor activities in Andes and throughout the…

Visit

Hunting
1429 Shaver Hollow Rd Andes , NY

If you enjoy the challenge of hunting and/or fishing, you can’t eat much more locally produced meat than what you catch yourself in the great outdoors of Andes. The forests are boundless, with  State land and a significant amount of land owned by NYC open to hunting and fishing with a free…

Visit

Land Yoga
11 Delaware Ave Delhi , NY

Thimo and Lara have combined over 35 years of experience in yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices. Their certifications include Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga, Chair Yoga, Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Mindfulness, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), traditional Buddhist Meditation and Life-Coaching and as well they are certified Fasting Guides. Together Thimo’s…

Visit

Paddling and other water sports
B W S Rd No 4 Andes , NY

What could be cooler than being on the water while being in the mountains! Andes and the surrounding area offers so much to those who love the water. If you are a paddler or a small craft sailor, the Pepacton Reservoir might be just what you’re looking for.  The boating…

Visit

Paddling on the Pepacton Reservoir
B W S Rd No 4 Andes , NY

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has opened the Pepacton Reservoir, as well as the Cannonsville, Schoharie and Neversink Reservoirs to recreational boating.  Kayaks, canoes, small sailboats and sculls are now allowed on these NYC drinking water reservoirs during the paddling season – the Friday before Memorial Day until Columbus…

Visit

Palmer Hill Trail
11 Finkle Rd Andes , NY

The Palmer Hill Trail is the third trail created by the Catskill Mountain Club, and the second in partnership with the NYC DEP. The trail, which was designed, built and will be maintained by the Catskill Mountain Club, features spectacular views for most of its 3.7 mile length. The trailhead is located…

Visit

Pepacton Reservoir
Pepacton Reservoir Delaware County , NY

The Pepacton Reservoir, also known as the Downsville Reservoir or the Downsville Dam, is a reservoir in Delaware County, New York that was formed by impounding over ¼ of the East Branch of the Delaware River. New York City purchased the valley in 1942, displacing 974 people, destroying four towns…

Visit

Shavertown Trail
B W S Rd No 4 Andes , NY

The Shavertown trail offers families and novice hikers a unique opportunity in the Catskills. A spectacular view after only one moderately strenuous mile, followed by a fairly level mile and a half through beautiful rock ledges and wonderful forest to explore. You’ll  break a sweat as you climb 520 feet…

Visit

Snow Shoeing and Cross Country Skiing
165 Cabin Hill Rd Andes , NY

You can still enjoy all the beauty, solitude and exercise that being outside in our mountains has to offer in the winter! It’s some people’s favorite time of year to get out on the mountains or in the snow – with proper clothing you’ll be quite comfortable and you might…

Visit

Snowboarding and Downhill Skiing
State Hwy to Belleayre Big Indian , NY

While locals and longtime visitors are still mourning the loss of Bobcat, our town ski center, there is still a lot of great snowboarding/downhill skiing near Andes. Belleayre Ski Center is a wonderful family ski center whether you’re a rider or skier, and a great place to learn if you…

Visit

Snowmobiling
55 Redden Ln Andes , NY

A local snowmobile club, the Hamden Ridge Riders, maintains over 70 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Delaware County, which connect with other trails maintained by 4 other snowmobile clubs in the county.

Visit

Swimming
115 Delaware Ave Andes , NY

In Andes, we’re all about swimming! Andes Town Pool – located behind Town Hall on Delaware Avenue just past the school, the town pool, with lifeguards, is generally open from approximately July 1 to September 1.  See the website for hours during the season Big Pond and Alder Lake   – Once you see what…

Visit