Hike Summary
The Palmer Hill Trails are wonderful and unique
At 3.7-miles, the Palmer Hill Trail system provides the hiker with views from once farmed meadows and rolling hills. Short forest walks on footpaths that offer the canopy’s coolness will please the hiker, especially on warm sunny days. Add the stunning view from the trailhead; this is a must-do hike. The Palmer Hill Trails are great for anyone, including families with kids. It can be shorter if you hike only one of the loops. If you go at the right time, you may be able to pick an apple or some berries! The only negative is the powerlines that cross the old farm.
The Palmer Hill trails stats
| Distance: | Difficulty: |
| Trailhead to Farmstead Int. 0.6-miles | Easy |
| Upper Meadow Loop – 1.0-miles | Easy + |
| Lower Meadow Loop – 1.5-miles | Easy + |
| All trails out-and-back – 3.7-miles | Easy-moderate |
The trail step by step
- The trailhead is at the corner of State RT 28 and Finkle Road (42.1952906, -74.7434402). The best view of the day is found here.
- Depart the trailhead mostly downhill through fields; you cross Bryant’s Brook, then quickly reach Farmstead Intersection at 0.6-miles. The remains of foundations are found here.
- Going left or straight from the Farmstead Intersection, you’ll be on the 1-mile red-marked Upper Meadow Loop Trail. Either direction will bring you back to the intersection—some moderate climbing. There are lovely views from the top of the loop.
- From the Farmstead Intersection going right, you’ll be on the longer 1.5-miles blue-marked Lower Meadow Loop Trail. The loop provides close-up views of the valley and farm below and surrounding hills—hike on downhills and some level stretches and short climbs.
Note: bring plenty of sun protection and water as most of the trails length are through open fields and are fully exposed to the sun. Dress for deer ticks.
Photos
The view from the parking area is stunning. On the horizon from right to left is Balsam Lake Mountain, the two tiny bumps are Schoolhouse East and West, Graham, Double Top, Dry Brook Ridge, Pakatakan Mountain, Haines Mountain, Hirams Knob, and Balsam Mountain. Closer and in the middle is Cole Hill. The two ridges in the foreground are from Fords Hill (R) and Little Pisgah Mountain (L).
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Panorama of trailhead view
Another hike nearby: Shavertown Trail: Snake Pond and the Beautiful Tremperskill Overlook
Another hike on NYCDEP lands: Bramley Mountain Loop Trails Catskills
Map of The Palmer Hill Trail
Click on the map or here for a larger version of the map.
Other resources
Catskill Mountain Club Avenza Map Set
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.
