Hiking the Shavertown Trail, an Easy Catskills Hike to Epic Views near Andes, NY
Hiking the Shavertown Trail – Catskills Hiking Guide
Discover one of the Catskills' best-kept secrets on this hike up the Shavertown Trail in Andes, New York.
This easy-to-moderate 3.4-mile round-trip hike rewards you with big views and peaceful forest scenery just a short climb from the trailhead off Route 30 near the Pepacton Reservoir.
Shavertown Trail Description
The trailhead for the Shavertown Trail is located on County Route 1 (also known as BWS 4) in the Town of Andes, just down the street from the intersection with CR1/BWS4 and State Highway 30 and the Shavertown Bridge on Highway 30. You’ll cross CR1 and the trail begins climbing the hillside on the other side where you will find a trailhead kiosk and trail register to sign in on.
The Shavertown Trail also includes two different destinations - the Tremperskill Overlook and Snake Pond. We did and we suggest that you visit both locations, which will result in about a 3.4 mile hike with 870 feet of elevation gain along the way. We’ll describe the hike as we did it, first to the Overlook and then to Snake Pond.
From the kiosk, the trail climbs steadily for about four tenths of a mile to the first trail junction. between the Tremperskill Overlook Trail and the Pond Loop Trail. We stayed straight on the Overlook Trail and shortly thereafter came to the second trail junction between the Overlook and Pond Loop Trails. Again, we continued straight ahead and followed the Tremperskill Overlook Trail for seven tenths of a mile to its end at the Tremperskill Overlook, climbing moderately along the way.
On the way back from the Tremperskill Overlook we were treated to being able to hear and then see a Barred Owl!
At the overlook you get an nice view of the Pepacton Reservior below and the rolling hills of the western Catskills surrounding the Reservoir. There’s also a great big rock that makes the perfect spot to sit back, have a snack, and take in the view (all of which we took the time to do).
From the overlook, we headed back the 0.7 miles along the Tremperskill Ovderlook Trail to the intersection with the Pond Loop Trail. At the trail junction, we turned right to begin climbing up to Snake Pond on the loop trail.
The Pond Loop Trail climbs steadily for about two tenths of a mile to Snake Pond and the overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir from the pond.
Snake Pond is a serene mountainside pond perfect for a quiet break or nature photography, along with its stunning overlook of the Pepacton Reservoir, one of the most beautiful views in the portion of the western Catskills.
From Snake Pond, we continued on the Pond Loop, climbing up the back side of the pond to the height of land, where we began descending on an old logging road. Along the way we went through several open fields offering views of the surrounding mountains, and passed a weather station used to monitor weather in this region of the Catskills.
The Pond Loop climbs and the descends back to the first trail junction in five tenths of a mile. At that trail junction, you’ll turn left and follow the trail back to the trailhead on CR1/BWS4.
Maintained by the Catskill Mountain Club on New York City DEP reservoir lands, the Shavertown Trail is a great choice for families, beginner hikers, or anyone looking for a quick Catskills adventure with high scenic payoff.
Shavertown Trail Details:
📍 Trailhead: Shavertown Trailhead just off Highway 30 in Andes (Google Maps)
🥾 Distance: ~3.4 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~870 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
💦 Highlights: Two epic views, Snake Pond high on the mountainside
🗺️ GPS Information: Trail Route in GPX Format
Find out more about the Shavertown Trail
You can find out more about hiking the Shavertown Trail here:
Hiking the Catskills: Explore all that the Catskills have to offer for hiking adventures on our Hiking the Catskills page.
Additional Catskill Park information is available at the Catskills Visitor Center (5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper) on the Web, Facebook, Instagram, and in person.
Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Hikes near the Shavertown Trail
Gear we used on the Shavertown Trail hike:
Some product links are affiliate links and we earn from qualifying purchases. Others are links through the Amazon Influencer program and as an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases. Still others, we just want you to know about some good gear we enjoy!
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.
