Bonticou Crag — Local services in Town of New Paltz

Fantastic!! Breathtaking vistas!! I've been taking my kids here since they were old enough to walk. They are now well into their teens.

The first time climbing the cliff was a little challenging for my 3 and 5 year old daughters at the time but we made it to the top - about a 150' climb. At the top, we all belly crawled to the edge and looked straight down to see what we had just accomplished. This was a tremendous confidence booster for them. They ask to return frequently and is just gorgeous during the fall.

Occasionally, they will ask if I can bring their friends along for what is a family tradition now.

I find great joy watching the amazement in the eyes of their friends seemingly seeing the world for the first time.

It is fairly close to the NYC area but very crowded in the fall so get there early. The "hike" from the parking area to the base of the cliff is literally a walk in the park - a leisurely 30 to 45 minute stroll with many photo ops along the way. The trail is wide and not very difficult at all - mostly through open fields at the onset then a short and moderate incline for a short distance only to level out again onto a carriage road that leads to the base of the cliff.

The return trip from the top back down is on a trail that is not clearly marked unfortunately - but a little easier than scaling the cliff face. Some older folks hike to the top this way. Some bring their dogs up via the back descent trail too.

If you choose to go straight up along the marked and recommended path the ascent should take most roughly 15 -30 minutes. What's the rush?

I encourage you to explore the many nooks and crannies created by the large boulders by going off the marked path as you ascend. The kids will love climbing in and around the mini caves.

Please respect the trail and pack out what you carry in. It is so disappointing to find water bottles and other human trash discarded along the trail. The sanitation department does not clean the...

I did this as part of a much longer route I mapped myself. I first did the 2.5 miles of so hike to Rock Rift Crevices trail that I reviewed separately and then hiked back to Bonticou for another few miles. So that’s why my actual hike was around 8 miles. I will only review the Bonticou scramble here. It’s definitely super fun. It is rated moderate but honestly, while the scramble is fairly short, it has some hairy spots. I ain’t no world champion ins cram long but I got decent experience and I have scrambled the hard unofficial routes of Breakneck Ridge lots of times and that’s considered a harder one. However, with all honesty, one of the Bonticou cracks had me startled. I got stuck there for like 20 minutes not being able to get over a certain fear that I’d not stretch enough to get over that crack and would literally fall between the crack lol. It’s totally mental. I ain’t proud of it. Seeing someone do it finally gave me a mental push I needed and I got over that crack super easy but here’s a lesson I learned to not ever assume and be overly confident. Sometimes things can play tricks with our brain. Back to fun. Super fun and beautiful scrambling route with mostly Class 3, a few Class 2 and a few Class 4 moves (like really exposed). Views at the top are mesmerizing. I walked the ridge and it ain’t hard at all but I did walk close to the edge and so if you decide to do the same please do watch your step and...

One of my favorite hikes in the area! The rock scramble is difficult and exhilarating. The Bonticou Crag trail is definitely not dog friendly or for people who are scared of heights. There are three tricky spots on the way up. The most difficult coming almost at the top where you have to squeeze between a rock and the cliff side and hoist yourself up onto a small ledge then climb up to a landing. I would recommend first timers hike up with someone who’s done it before, or hike up behind another group to see their line as well as foot and hand placement. Use caution and you’ll be rewarded with an amazing...