The Highest Fire Tower In Upstate NY Is Only 2 Hours From NYC — With A Rare 360° View That Can Spot The Manhattan Skyline

Fall hiking season is kicking into high gear right now, and we’re putting you onto one of the most underrated options in Upstate NY. With (soon-to-be) snowy forests, sweeping mountain ridgelines, and a historic steel watchtower perched at 4,040 feet above sea level—Hunter Mountain Fire Tower is one of the Catskills’ most awe-inspiring hiking experiences , and one of the most rewarding mountain escapes New Yorkers can take this season. A mere two hours from NYC, this legendary fire tower is the highest in New York State and delivers something rare in the Northeast: a 360-degree summit view so wide and sweeping that, on exceptionally clear days, hikers have reported spotting the distant Manhattan skyline more than 100 miles away. This is the Catskills at their most dramatic—an adventure steeped in history, wilderness, and views worth every step. The highest fire tower in New York State ---------------------------------------- First established in 1917, the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower has stood watch over the Catskills for more than a century. The current 60-foot steel tower was relocated to the mountain’s true summit in 1953 and eventually restored and reopened to the public, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places . Climbing it is like stepping into New York State’s living wilderness heritage. Each metal stair lifts you higher above the treeline until the entire Catskills opens up in every direction : the Devil’s Path peaks undulating to the east, the Hudson Valley stretched out below, Slide Mountain rising in the distance. And on rare bluebird days, you can see as far as Vermont’s Green Mountains and Massachusetts’ Berkshires. On weekends and holiday dates during the warmer months, volunteers open the cab at the very top, sharing stories about the tower’s original purpose—spotting wildfires long before satellites and drones existed. Choose your route: challenging, scenic, or scenic with a chairlift ------------------------------------------------------------------ Reaching this mountaintop isn’t just a hike—it’s an experience you can tailor to your mood and stamina. The Spruceton Trail is the most popular route, a roughly seven-mile round-trip climb that follows a steady old roadbed through spruce, maple, and balsam forest. It’s a peaceful, moderately challenging ascent that rewards hikers early with views from the John Robb Lean-to, a beloved spot overlooking Spruceton Valley long before you reach the summit. Those looking for an all-out sweat session often take the Becker Hollow Trail , a steep, relentless climb that gains more than 2,200 feet in just a couple miles. It’s one of the most intense but efficient ways to reach a Catskills high peak—and beloved by experienced hikers who enjoy a cardio challenge with a major payoff at the top. For the easiest option, weekends sometimes offer a [scenic chairlift ride at Hunter Mountain Ski Area](https://secretnyc.co/hunter-mountain-scenic-skyride/) (only through June – October) . From the top, it’s only about a four-mile moderate round trip via the Colonel’s Chair Trail to reach the tower —perfect for hikers who want the panoramic payoff without a full day of climbing. Whichever route you choose, reaching the tower feels like an accomplishment, and the moment you break out of the trees into the clearing, every step feels worth it. Exploring Hunter & Tannersville after the hike ---------------------------------------------- A great Secret NYC escape doesn’t end at the summit. The Catskills’ mountain towns surrounding Hunter Mountain are full of rustic breweries, cozy taverns, and modern alpine hotels —perfect for unwinding after a day in the mountains. Just down the road from the Spruceton trailhead sits West Kill Brewing , a 127-acre farm brewery that feels like a hidden cabin in the woods. Inside the lodge-style taproom, hikers sip beers brewed with local ingredients like maple syrup or wild spruce, often with live music drifting across the mountain valley. A short drive east leads to Tannersville , a colorful Catskills village with galleries, antique stores, and quirky mountain energy. Classic spots like Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café serve giant burgers, melted fondue, and pages of craft beers and whiskeys—with a nearby reimagined 1890s estate-turned-boutique property **Hotel Lilien** making for the best place to stay the weekend. Source: https://secretnyc.co/hunter-mountain-fire-tower-360-catskills-views/