Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness is a wilderness area spanning approximately 18,000 acres within the northeastern Catskill Forest Preserve. This region is characterized by its high elevations, featuring several peaks over 3,000 feet, including the prominent Blackhead Mountains. The terrain consists of steep forested slopes, with spruce and fir trees at higher altitudes and extensive northern hardwood forests dominating lower areas, making it a prime destination for various outdoor activities such as several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling.
…69
Routes
4.7
(62)
Average rating
1029
People visited

4.7
(3)
47
hikers
10.9km
03:15
370m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
53
hikers
4.02km
01:03
20m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
46
hikers
4.91km
01:31
170m
210m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
21
hikers
27.0km
08:00
860m
680m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
67.8km
03:10
900m
900m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
63.7km
02:37
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
67.9km
03:27
940m
940m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

8
riders
36.3km
01:50
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5
runners
6.92km
00:44
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
11.1km
01:38
520m
520m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
9.74km
01:03
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
5.27km
00:38
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
riders
92.4km
06:04
1,250m
1,250m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
19.5km
01:25
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
5.05km
00:30
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
79.8km
05:05
930m
930m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling. Hiking is particularly popular, with a network of challenging trails. The area features 13 routes across these sports.
The Escarpment Trail is a major draw, offering extensive routes and views. Other significant trails include the Black Dome Trail, Batavia Kill Trail, and Colgate Lake Trail, which provide access to peaks and scenic spots. For more options, consult the Hiking in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness guide.
While many trails feature significant elevation changes, there are options for less strenuous hikes. For routes suitable for beginners, refer to the Easy hikes in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness guide. This guide provides details on trails with lower difficulty.
Yes, the area offers family-friendly hiking options suitable for various ages. These trails often feature less elevation gain and shorter distances. Information on these routes can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness guide.
Dogs are generally allowed on trails within the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness, but specific regulations may apply, such as leash requirements. For detailed information on dog-friendly routes, consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness guide.
The wilderness area features 13 peaks over 3,000 feet, including the prominent Blackhead Mountains (Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Blackhead Mountain). Scenic points such as Windham High Peak, Burnt Knob, and Acra Point offer significant views. The Escarpment Trail also provides extensive vistas.
The Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness is known for its challenging terrain, featuring steep forested slopes and significant elevation changes. Some sections of trails may require strenuous climbing. Higher elevations are characterized by spruce and fir trees, while lower areas have northern hardwood forests.
While direct cycling within wilderness trails is not common, the roads leading to and surrounding the area offer opportunities for road cycling. These routes often feature significant climbs and varying levels of difficulty. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness guide.
The Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 10,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The 13 available routes have an average rating of 4.73 out of 5 stars, based on 593 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness, Easy hikes, Family-friendly hikes, and Road Cycling Routes. Guides for waterfall hikes, dog-friendly hikes, running trails, and general cycling are also available.
Official information is available on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) website. For inquiries, the DEC Region 4 Stamford Office can be contacted at 607-652-7365 during business hours. For enforcement matters, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911.

