Rochester Hollow located in the central Catskills is a quiet and nice area for a quick day hike or overnight. It is full of history with the remains of part of Rochester Estate, Rose Camp apparent throughout the hike. Visiting the Burroughs Memorial Forest and Monument is interesting. The gem of this land unit is the handicapped accessible Rochester Hollow lean-to and the Eignor Farm Trail on return after hiking the Colonel Rochester Trail!
Per the NYSDEC…
Access to the Rochester Hollow Trailhead on Matyas Road in Shandaken Wild Forest is currently limited to 4-wheel drive access vehicles due to damage sustained from the recent flooding events in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Please use caution when attempting to access the Rochester Hollow Trailhead-2wd vehicles should not attempt to access at this time.
The Dirt
The trail system in Rochester Hollowing includes 3 trails; The Colonel Rochester Trail, Eignor Farm Trail, and the Burroughs Memorial Forest Trail. When hiked all together it is over six-miles of trail. With permission from the landowner, one can use this area as a jumping point to bushwhack a Catskill 67 peak, privately owned Rose Mountain.
These trails are relatively lightly traveled as compared to many others in these mountains.
COLONEL ROCHESTER HOLLOW AND EIGNOR FARM TRAIL “LOOP”
| Distance: | 5.58-miles RT | Route type: | Lollipop |
| Total climb: | 1171′ RT | Hike type: | Trail |
| How hard? | Easy-moderate | Trailhead: | Rochester Hollow TH |
Multi-use Trails
The trails in Rochester Hollow are multi-use.
The Colonel Rochester Trail serves as a hiking, cross-country ski trail, horse, and mountain biking trail. Additionally, ATVs are allowed on the Colonel Rochester Trail in order for people with disabilities to reach the lean-to.
The Eignor Farm Trail and the Burroughs Memorial Forest Trail serves as a hiking, cross-country ski trail, horse, and mountain biking trail.
Access by ATV is granted only to Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) permit holders.
The Rochester Hollow Trails are open to horseback riding. Proof of current negative Coggins certificate is required for all horses and out-of-state horse owners are required to produce a 30-day health certificate.
The trailhead is at the end of a dirt road off of Matyas Road. Matyas Road is a couple of minutes west of Big Indian on Route 28 and 40 minutes from Kingtson.
The parking area is large and can hold up to about 10+ cars.
Trails
There is a kiosk at the trailhead with a gate. The memorial plaque on the top of the kiosk is in memory of Timothy O’lear, a Boy Scout who tragically perished near the Slide Mountain trailhead while attempting a stream crossing during high waters.
The blue-blazed 1.75-mile well-graded (ADA compliant?) Colonel Rochester Trail takes you deep into the hollow. The trail is a multi-use trail and can be used by horse, mountain bike, and ATV to access the lean-to with a permit.
Passing two nice primitive campsites not long after leaving the parking area.
As you gain elevation into the hollow, you’ll enter an area of wonderful hemlock stands and pass old stone posts for a bygone gate.
After about 1.6-miles you’ll reach the junction with the Burroughs Memorial Trail and then continuing on the blue trail the Burroughs Memorial Monument is reached on your right soon after.
Continuing on the Colonel Rochester Trail you’ll soon pass the remains of Rose Camp and then reach the lean-to where the blue trail terminates.
Related post: Rochester Hollow Lean-to in the Catskills: Secluded & Beautiful
You could backtrack but you’d be missing a lot by not looping back on the very pretty Eignor Farm Trail.
After the lean-to and back on the blue-marked trail turn left and now follow the red marked Eignor Farm Trail. The trail will lose and gain elevation as it loops through the forest hooking back up with the blue-marked Colonel Rochester Trail not far from the Burroughs Monument.
Along the way you’ll pass many rock walls and foundations from passed farming and maple syurp production. At a hiarpin turn you pass a small meadow that could serve as an at-large campsite as long as you get 150′ from the trail. Make sure to check out the massive maple tree.
Contact and Trail Map
| Shandaken Wild Forest | |
|---|---|
| Contact Information: | DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (845) 256-3076; r3admin@dec.ny.gov Enforcement Matters: (518) 408-5850 (24/7) or 911 |
| Location: | Hamlet of Shandaken, Ulster County and Town of Lexington, Greene County |
| Map: | Shandaken Wild Forest |
| Amenities: | Lodging and dining, as well as gas, food and other supplies opportunities, can be found in the nearby communities of Arkville, Margaretville, Woodstock, and Phoenicia. |
Click the map or here for an interactive version of the map
Backwoods wanderer with a passion for backpacking, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the wilds of the Catskills and Adirondacks in New York. A Catskill 3500 Club Member and Adirondack Forty-Sixer. Climbed Mount Rainier. Professionally an Exercise Physiologist.
