Escarpment Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Escarpment Trail

2 days · 30.6 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance30.6 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain6,814 ft
Gain / mile223 ft
High point3,937 ft

What the Escarpment Trail is known for

The Escarpment Trail follows the rim of the Catskills' great wall from Schutt Road near North-South Lake to Route 23 in East Windham, crossing Blackhead Mountain and Windham High Peak with repeated Hudson Valley views. A rugged point-to-point of about 24 miles; water is scarce along the crest.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Escarpment Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 5,833 ft to 12,831 ft over 30.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 14.3 mi · 47%
  • Downhill 14.2 mi · 46%
  • Flat 2.0 mi · 7%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How much elevation gain is on the Escarpment Trail?

The Escarpment Trail climbs roughly 6,814 ft total — about 223 ft per mile, topping out near 3,937 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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