• Distance: 6.9 miles out and back

• Trail rating: Moderate-difficult

Get some of the best views in The Catskills from the Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain Trail. This popular trail offers stunning views of the mountains, and is perfect for a day hike.

Be sure to take some time to enjoy the scenery from one of the many ledges along Giant Ledge. And don't worry about crowds - even though this hike is super well-known, there's plenty of room for everyone to spread out.

The hike to Giant Ledge takes about 3 hours and 27 minutes to complete, making this scenic Upstate New York hike short and sweet.

Most people stop at Giant Ledge, which is more than enough bang for your buck. But if you're interested in a more strenuous hike, you can bag one of the Catskill 3500' summits by continuing up Panther Mountain. This route adds about two miles (one-way) and about a 1,000ft vertical climb.