3 Self-Guided Walking Tours That Reveal the Beauty of the Western Catskills
You don’t need to travel far from Seminary Hill to take a beautiful walk or bike ride in the country. Read on for three lovely walks that start and end at our doorstep, allowing you to take in the rolling foothills, crystal-clear Delaware River, and glimpses of deer leaping through the woods.
A stroll along the banks of the Delaware River
A vigorous walk in the foothills of the Catskills
An even more challenging hike in terms of distance and elevation
1) A stroll along the banks of the Delaware River
For a leisurely stroll from the Boarding House, walk across Route 97 and down the hill to Callicoon. After you cross the railroad tracks, turn right on Upper Main Street and continue past the bridge spanning the Delaware River, the bank, and the post office. Now you are on River Road and can walk as far as you would like, taking in the river views. When you reach a street marked Tower Road on your right, you are just over a mile from downtown Callicoon and might use this as a turn-around point. When you return to town, stop at the Kitchen Table Café for a cup of coffee, tea, and homemade sweets before walking back up the hill to the Boarding House.
If you want a longer walk or bike ride on a level grade, you can keep going until River Road dead-ends roughly four miles from Callicoon. Take seriously the "no trespassing" signs here and elsewhere in the area. The eight-mile loop along River Road is an excellent place for a morning or evening run. Village authorities ask you not to use earbuds so you can hear approaching traffic on the narrow road.
2) A vigorous walk in the foothills of the Catskills
For a vigorous walk nearly four miles long, start at the Tasting Room. This route has a lot of downhill and uphill, so pace yourself. With your back facing the Tasting Room, turn right and head down Wagner Road. When you come to the T-junction, turn left on Kautz Road: in about a half mile, you'll come to our first orchard on your left and see that the trees are more mature than in the orchard at the Tasting Room since we planted this orchard first.
In approximately another half mile, at mailbox #188, take a sharp right on Kautz Road. For the next mile or so, you will walk downhill: a well-known actor lives along this stretch, but the entrance is not marked, and there's no trespassing, so we will leave you guessing!
At the T-junction at the bottom of the hill, turn right. (There is no street sign here, which means you're in the country now.) In another quarter-mile, veer right at the fork: you are now on Hospital Road, but only briefly, since you will take the next right onto Seminary Road. Head uphill for another half-mile: you will pass a cemetery on your right and then take a sharp left in the middle of a working farm. In another half-mile, you will come to a Seminary Hill sign, directing you to take a right turn onto Kautz Road and then a left turn onto Wagner Road, where you'll return to the Tasting Room. After this walk, you deserve a tall glass of your favorite beverage. We hope it's one of our ciders!
3) An even more challenging hike in terms of distance and elevation
For an even more vigorous walk over five miles in length, start at the Boarding House. Heading uphill, turn right onto Hospital Road. In about a mile, you will see a solar array on your right, and in another quarter-mile, you will pass Seminary Road on your left. Turn left onto the country road with no name at the T-junction at the bottom of the hill. In another quarter-mile, turn left onto Kautz Road. (Yes, this route covers part of the previous route, but in the reverse direction.)
You now have a long uphill stretch followed by a sharp left turn in the road. Continue on Kautz Road, and you will pass the smaller Seminary Hill orchard and then Wagner Lane, with its signs pointing to the Tasting Room on your right. (This would be an excellent place to stop for refreshment before continuing.) If you continue, pass by Wagner Lane until you come to a T-junction. Turn right onto Seminary Road, and you will find the Boarding House at the bottom of the hill.
Safety Tips
Make sure to take basic safety precautions on your walk. It's best to wear bright colors during hunting season from late October through early December, but there is little danger since you will be walking on roads. Occasionally, a walker encounters a Black bear, but as long as you keep your distance, you will be fine—and have a great story to share with friends. If a bear approaches (a rare occurrence), shout or wave your arms or even throw stones to scare him off. It is best not to carry odorous food or toiletry items since that attracts the bears. If you follow these safety precautions, you will have a splendid walk in the countryside.