Escarpment Trail
2 days · 30.6 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
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.
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.
How hard is the Escarpment Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Escarpment Trail scores 24/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
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 from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.