Two legendary Catskill destinations in one fantastic day hike
One of the best hikes in New York State! After visiting the many sweeping viewpoints on Giant Ledge, we'll offer the option to continue on to the magical spruce-fir forest cloaking the summit of Panther. Our path to the top has a few fun, rocky scrambles and travels through multiple micro-climates across the hike, providing great views of peak foliage throughout the day.
Hike stats
🥾 ~6.6 miles for both Giant Ledge & Panther, 3.3mi for just Giant ledge
⛰️ About 1800ft elevation gain for both Giant Ledge & Panther, 900ft for just Giant Ledge
🧭 Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging. We will provide all hikers the choice of hanging out on Giant Ledge for a moderate day or continuing on the Panther for a greater challenge
The Destination Backcountry Difference
Why hike with us? Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders, they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others.
A FULL day of adventure: Our all-inclusive day escapes include transportation, meals, and a full day of hiking and adventure. Make your escape upstate worth every minute!
On this trail, our guides will share:
🌿 An absolutely stunning trail with many gorgeous viewpoints
🥾 Take on a challenging hike with confidence with guidance from an expert backcountry guide
🌲 Incredible observations about the forest and wildlife we may encounter.
What's Included?
🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Your adventure includes a breakfast of fresh fruit and donuts and a selection of coffee and tea for the drive to the trailhead
🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
🌄 On trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide
Schedule
6:30 Brooklyn Pickup near Barclays
7:00 Manhattan Pickup at Grand Central
~8:30 Rest Stop
~9:45 Arrival at Trailhead
~12:30 Lunch at Summit
~1:00 Hike out
~4:00 Van returns to the city
~4:30 Rest stop
~7:00 Manhattan Drop Off
~7:30 Brooklyn Drop Off
*All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group. Travel time are subject to many factors, including weather and traffic.
What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great for hiking
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. We’ll let you know well in advance if conditions call for special footwear.
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks
Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 Hat
FAQs
What happens after I book my adventure? You will receive a confirmation email for your adventure within 24 hours of booking. Your guide will reach out 7-10 days before your adventure with an update on trail conditions, weather, a final packing list, our adventure waiver, and more.
More questions? Visit our FAQ page here.
