13 Halloween Hikes In The Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains

If you’re tired of the spooky movies, creepy stories, or sticky candy, consider spending the end of October on a Halloween hike in Upstate New York. There are a ton of trails to still spark the spookiness that Halloween brings while still keeping things a bit outdoorsy. If you’re spending Halloweekend in the Adirondacks or the Catskills, there are plenty of eerie, spooky, and creepy trails to hike with your buddies. From old hotel ruins to creepy forest backdrops to odd trail names to an old plane wreck, there’s something for everyone in a Halloween hike. So strap on your headlamps and pack some candy in your hiking backpack and let’s hit the trail.

Here are 13 hikes to do on Halloween in New York State’s Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.

overlook mountain house ruins halloween hikes — Overlook Mountain House ruins off the trail to Overlook Mountain.

Reminder: Whether you’re hiking in a Halloween costume or wanting to enjoy a sweet treat at the summit, remember to LEAVE NO TRACE when exploring these trails on a Halloween hike!

Adirondack Mountains

Adirondack trails are spooky enough, with tons of rocks, roots, and scrambles. Switchbacks? Never heard of them. These trails, ranging from the towering High Peaks to short, small pond trails, are spooky enough the rest of the year. Yet, they bring a little extra eerie vibe for your Halloween hike.

Death Brook Falls, near Long Lake

AllTrails Stats: 0.6 miles out and back, 26ft elevation gain, estimated 0.5 to 1 hour to complete.

Halloween hike vibes are strong at Death Brook Falls. Even though the name is a bit intimidating, it’s an easy hike perfect for families and furry friends. The short walk leads to a waterfall, which tends to roar after a storm. Spooky…

Hikers also commonly refer to this waterfall as Hidden Falls. Still spooky.

Lost Pond, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

AllTrails Stats: 3.8 miles loop, 360ft elevation gain, estimated 1.5–2 hours to complete.

Lost souls will (probably) not be found at Lost Pond on a Halloween Hike. There are some bog bridges along the way that always seem to stay wet, no matter what the trail conditions may be.

Owl’s Head Mountain, Long Lake

AllTrails Stats: 6.2 miles out and back, 1,499ft elevation gain, estimated 4–5 hours to complete.

Owls are creepy enough on Halloween; hearing their shrieks, seeing their eyes seemingly glow in the dark, waiting for their heads to turn 180 degrees. Owl’s Head Mountain is slightly less creepy, with one of many abandoned Adirondack fire towers at the summit.

The first two miles are fairly flat and easy. The last mile to the summit is a bit steep, with some rock scrambles. There’s a rewarding view from the cab of the fire tower, looking out towards the High Peaks and other nearby lakes.

Mount Severance, Schroon Lake

AllTrails Stats: 2.4 miles out and back, 744ft elevation gain, estimated 1.5–2 hours to complete.

This trail reminds me of the Apple TV thriller by the same name, Severance. There’s nothing creepier than feeling like you’re always at work…

This trail is short and has a gentle climb. It leads to a beautiful overlook with views of Schroon Lake, Paradox Lake, and the rolling Adirondack Mountains.

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Catamount Mountain, Wilmington

AllTrails Stats: 4 miles out and back, 1,584ft elevation gain, estimated 2 hours to complete.

Catamount is found in the High Peaks region, but is known as a shorter hike in the area. Steep sections, rocky terrain, and a rugged vibe make this hike good for Halloween hikers looking for something more adventurous.

The last 0.8 miles are mostly steep with several rock scrambles. It’s a rewarding summit, with some of the best views of Ester and Whiteface Mountain in the entire area.

Mount Marshall, Newcomb

AllTrails Stats: 14 miles out and back, 2,864ft elevation gain, estimated 7.5–8 hours to complete.

Taking on the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks can be scary enough to some. Mount Marshall is part of the High Peaks, but I don’t think the scariest part is the elevation.

The spooky factor is the plane wreckage found about 50 feet off the trail. It’s situated somewhere between Mount Marshall and Iroquois, so if a hiker wanted to see it, it would require going a bit off trail. If you feel adventurous enough to hunt for the old plane wreck, make sure to have a good navigation system in place so you don’t get lost heading off trail. Plus, leave no trace. Don’t touch the wreck or move things around; it’s best to leave it alone and admire the shell of the plane without disturbing it, so the next hiker who wants to check it out will see it in the same shape you did.

Baker Mountain, Saranac Lake

AllTrails Stats: 1.7 miles out and back, 869ft elevation gain, estimated 1 hour to complete.

This hike has great views of Saranac Lake and the High Peaks in the distance. The quiet at the summit is almost eerie; the kind of vibe where Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees may be creeping behind a tree in the distance.

The short hike has some steep sections and slippery rocks. Make sure to wear hiking footwear with strong traction, like microspikes.

Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, near Keeseville

AllTrails Stats: 3.7 miles out and back, 1,282ft elevation gain, estimated 2.5–3 hours to complete.

Werewolves loves this trail. Get it? Moon? This is another trail that leads to a historic Adirondack fire tower. It’s perfect for a Halloween hike when it’s a little foggy; it gives the views from the summit a spooky atmosphere. The fire tower cab is usually open during the summer.

When it’s clear, you can see views of the High Peaks, Lake Champlain, and even parts of Vermont.

Be careful: some sections of the trail are steep. There are some wooden stairs and ladders in place for hikers to navigate these sections.

Catskill Mountains

The Catskills are a bit easier to access from the New York City area. It’s a short enough drive to these trailheads for a simple day trip for a Halloween hike.

Devil’s Path, Catskill Mountains

AllTrails Stats: 22.5 miles point to point, 8,156ft elevation gain, 3 different segments.

This is a legendary hike in the Catskills, with a name perfect for a Halloween hike. This hike is ranked difficult and strenuous, and is considered one of the most challenging routes in the eastern United States.

The name came from early European settlers back in the day. They reportedly believed the range’s steep, craggy cliffs were built by the devil. That way, he could climb them and retreat from the real world. I think the name stuck because of the difficulty of the hike.

The trail has many amazing scenic lookouts, steep rock scrambles, and takes hikers deep into the forest. The rock scrambles take hikers through narrow chutes, vertical chimneys, and slippery talus fields.

Hikers tend to take on the trail from east to west, beginning at the Prediger Road trailhead to conquer the hardest peaks first before ending the thru-hike at Spruceton Road.

Overlook Mountain, Woodstock

AllTrails Stats: 4.7 miles out and back, 1,394ft elevation gain, estimated 3–3.5 hours to complete.

If I only had time to do one Halloween hike in the Catskills, it would be this one. Overlook Mountain is a pretty chill fire tower hike with a spooky spectacle on the trail. As you get closer to the summit, you pass the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House.

The first two Overlook Mountain Houses burned down in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The third was fully furnished and staffed, but never opened due to complications from the war and financial troubles. What’s left of the third hotel still stands right next to the trail. Enter, if you dare…

For the adventurous, there’s also a plane wreckage found off the trail. It’s supposedly found about three-quarters of the way up the mountain, down a steep side trail. You can find parts of the wings, an engine, and some other aluminum pieces. It’s easier to spot in the fall and winter without all the foliage and tree cover. Stay vigilant off-trail and be on the lookout for timber rattlesnakes during warmer months.

The hike is mostly on an old gravel road. There are a couple of picnic tables at the top, perfect for enjoying a Halloween treat.

Rochester Hollow, Shandaken

AllTrails Stats: 4.8 miles out and back, 866ft elevation gain, estimated 2–2.5 hours to complete.

Sleepy Hollow can stay asleep. Rochester Hollow brings all the eerie forest vibes. If you’re looking to run through the woods like Edward and Bella, this could be the trail for you.

There are three trails: blue, yellow, and red. The blue trail is reportedly wider and runs along a stream. The yellow and red trails veer off the main path to wind through the woods.

If there is snow, make sure to pack snowshoes because the trailhead clearly states to ski or snowshoe when there is snow cover.

Giant Ledge, Shandaken

AllTrails Stats: 6.9 miles out and back, 2,247ft elevation gain, estimated 2 hours to complete.

This is a fun hike that features views of Burroughs Range, Panther Mountain, and other neighboring Catskill peaks. When the leaves fall off the trees and just the trunks and branches remain, it gives the trails a bit of an eerie feeling as you hike your way to the top.

This trail has everything spooky; roots, boulders, stone steps, and of course, rock scrambles. You may feel like a giant when you reach the top and look down at the rolling hills in front of you, but the only giant thing on this hike is the giant weight of existence.

Hunter Mountain Fire Tower, Hunter

AllTrails Stats: 4.8 miles out and back, 2,211ft elevation gain, estimated 4-4.5 hours to complete.

Having hiked Hunter Mountain last fall, I can say with the utmost confidence that the Becker Hollow Trail is the scariest way up to this summit. There is an elevation gain of about 2,000ft in two miles, and be prepared for some rocky sections. There’s another abandoned fire tower at the top, adding to the spooky factor.

There’s also a little cabin and some picnic tables at the top for a nice break on your Halloween hike. From the fire tower, you can take in some incredible views of the Catskill Mountains.

view from the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower

There are plenty of other trails to explore this fall in the Adirondacks and the Catskills. What other trails would you recommend for a Halloween hike?