There’s a particular week every autumn when the Catskills stop looking like a place you drive through and start looking like a place you drove up specifically to see. Windham Mountain and its surrounding peaks put on one of the best foliage shows in the Northern Catskills — and unlike some leaf-peeping destinations, you don’t need to fight for a parking spot at a scenic overlook. You can just walk out the back door and start climbing.
Here’s where to go, sorted by the hiking level you are looking for.
Easy: The Windham Path
If you want foliage without the workout, this is it. The Windham Path is a gravel, multi-use trail that loops for about 1.5 miles past a covered bridge and open fields — flat enough to walk with a coffee in hand, scenic enough that you’ll stop for photos every few hundred feet in October. It connects directly from Hotel Vienna’s property, so it’s the easiest “let’s see some color” option on this list.
Moderate: Elm Ridge Wild Forest
A step up in effort, a step up in solitude. Elm Ridge Wild Forest has miles of looped trails through hardwood forest that turns brilliant shades of orange and red by mid-to-late September. It’s popular with mountain bikers too, so if you’re hiking, keep an ear out — but the trade-off is trails that feel quieter than the more famous peaks nearby. Parking is available off NYS Route 23 near Windham.
Moderate-Plus: Kaaterskill Falls
No foliage list is complete without New York’s highest cascading waterfall. Kaaterskill Falls drops 231 feet over two tiers, framed by hardwoods that turn brilliant gold and red by fall — it’s one of the most photographed spots in the Catskills for good reason, and has been since 19th-century painters first made the trip. The out-and-back trail is about 1.7 miles, mostly easy with one moderate section, and takes roughly an hour round-trip. It’s about 20 minutes from Hotel Vienna via Route 296 and 23A. Fair warning: it gets busy on weekends in peak season, so an early start pays off.
Ambitious: The Catskills Escarpment Trail
This is the one for hikers chasing a payoff view. The Escarpment Trail runs along a ridge that includes Acra Point, Burnt Knob, and Windham High Peak — all reachable as long day hikes, all delivering the kind of panoramic, ridge-top color views that make your camera roll look like a stock photo library. It’s more demanding terrain, so budget a full day and bring proper footwear.
When to Go
Peak foliage in Windham typically arrives earlier than it does farther south in the Hudson Valley, often landing in the back half of September through mid-October. If you’re planning around color specifically, aim for a weekend in that window — and book early, because everyone else has the same idea.
Make a Weekend of It
Hiking is better when you’re not driving two hours home with sore legs afterward. Staying at Hotel Vienna puts you minutes from every trail on this list, with a mountain deck, fire pit, and hot tub waiting for you at the end of the day — plus a front-row seat to the season from your own private balcony.
Ready to catch peak color? Check availability at Hotel Vienna for your fall foliage weekend.
