Diamond Notch Falls Hike in the Catskills: Easy, Family-Friendly Trail from Spruceton Road
Diamond Notch Falls Hike in the Catskills
Diamond Notch Falls is one of those Catskills hikes that is easygoing without being boring. Starting from the end of Spruceton Road, the route follows the Diamond Notch Trail south along the creek to the very scenic Diamond Notch Falls, with the option to continue a little farther uphill to the Diamond Notch Lean-to before turning around.
Parking is off Spruceton Road at either of the trailheads and both require require a road walk to the end of the road and the start of the trail. Not that there is no parking at the end of Spruceton Road
Because this is a popular Catskills destination, be prepared with a backup plan if the parking lots are full. West Kill Brewing makes for a great place to relax while you wait for a parking spot or after you’ve finished the hike.
If you are building a longer Spruceton Valley day, this hike also pairs well with other nearby routes including West Kill Mountain and the Hunter Mountain Loop.
Diamond Notch Falls Hike Quick Facts
🧭 Trailhead: Spruceton Road Trailhead, Lexington, NY (Google Maps)
🗺️ Route: Diamond Notch Falls Trail (in and out)
🥾 Distance: ~3 miles round trip
📈 Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
⚠️ Difficulty: easy to moderate
📱AllTrails Information: Trail Route and Information in AllTrails
📸 Highlights: Creekside walking, Diamond Notch Falls, Diamond Notch Lean-to
👉 Best for: Families, casual hikers, and anyone looking for a short scenic Catskills hike.
Diamond Notch Falls From Spruceton Road
We started from the Spruceton Road trailhead, walked to the end of Spruceton Road, followed the Diamond Notch Trail toward Diamond Notch Falls, then continued a bit farther to the Diamond Notch Lean-to before heading back the way we came.
This hike is best when you want something scenic without a big climb. The trail to Diamond Notch Falls is just about a mile each way, with a modest amount of elevation gain. From the falls you can choose to go another 0.5 miles to the Diamond Notch Lean-to, which also adds more climbing. From either the falls or the lean-to, you simply hike back out the way that you came to reach the trailhead. The full outing to the falls and the lean-to can usually be done in about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Why the Diamond Notch Falls Hike Works
This is a great choice if you want a short outing with a lot of payoff. The trail is family-friendly, casual-hiker friendly, and especially nice if you want a mellow walk with water, woods, and just enough backcountry feel to make it memorable.
For More Information on Diamond Notch Falls
Diamond Notch Falls Hike on AllTrails
Catskills Visitor Center
Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center located at 5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper. Helpful staff can answer questions, free maps and guides are available, and the gift shop carries a large selection of local hiking maps and guidebooks.
Hire Hike On Guides for the Halcott Mountain Bushwhack
Need help on a hike like this? Both Moe and Jeff are NYSDEC licensed hiking and backpacking guides. Hire us through our guiding company, Hike On Guides for customized trips in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Hikes near Diamond Notch Falls
More of our Catskills hikes on YouTube
Gear that we use on our hikes
Our go-to gear this trip included:
Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
