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3,542 ft · Western Catskills, New York

Vly Mountain

Vly Mountain is a 3,542 ft peak in the Western Catskills, New York. The standard route is the County Route 3 old road and herd path: 5 mi, 1,350 ft of gain, Class 2.

Vly Mountain in the Western Catskills, New York

Vly Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation3,542 ft1,079 m
  • RouteCounty Route 3 old road and herd pathClass 2
  • Distance5 mi1,350 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsModerate effort
  • SeasonMay – Nov
  • RangeWestern CatskillsNew York

Climbing the County Route 3 old road and herd path

From Fleischmanns, follow Lake Street onto County Route 3 to the end of the maintained pavement. There is no lot, so park on the right shoulder and clear of the plow turnaround and driveways. Walk the old road, now a snowmobile route, about 1.3 mi to the col with Bearpen. A herd path then follows the state land boundary markers to the canister, with a few small rocky steps and muddy flats. Respect private land along the route and south of the summit. Many hikers add Bearpen from the same col. Hunters use the state forest in fall.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Slippery terrain
  • Boggy terrain
  • Spotty cell reception

Quests with Vly Mountain

Peaks near Vly Mountain

  1. Halcott Mountain

    Halcott Mountain

    3,510 ft · 4.5 mi away

  2. Mount Sherrill

    Mount Sherrill

    3,560 ft · 6.1 mi away

  3. Rusk Mountain

    Rusk Mountain

    3,687 ft · 9.2 mi away

  4. West Kill Mountain

    West Kill Mountain

    3,899 ft · 9.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Vly Mountain?

Vly Mountain is 3,542 feet (1,079 m) tall. It is in the Western Catskills, New York.

How does Vly Mountain rank among the Catskill 3500?

At 3,542 feet, Vly Mountain is the 29th highest of the 33 peaks of the Catskill 3500. The highest is Slide Mountain.

How hard is it to hike Vly Mountain?

The County Route 3 old road and herd path is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort moderate: 5 miles with 1,350 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Vly Mountain?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the County Route 3 old road and herd path, covering 5 miles with 1,350 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Vly Mountain?

Usually, if you are fit. The County Route 3 old road and herd path is a common first summit for hikers ready for 3 – 5 hours on their feet. Bring layers, food and water, and check the weather before you start.

When is the best time to hike Vly Mountain?

The usual hiking window is May to November. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Vly Mountain with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list