Mohonk Preserve: View From The Trapps
The Trapps is one of the best-known cliff sections in the Shawangunk Mountains, often referred to simply as “The Gunks.” Located within the Mohonk Preserve, the area is defined by long walls of Shawangunk Conglomerate, a hard and erosion-resistant rock that forms steep cliffs above the surrounding forest. These cliffs have helped make the area one of the most recognized rock climbing destinations in North America.
Even for people with no interest in climbing, the Trapps area is still one of the most scenic and accessible parts of the preserve. The combination of carriage roads, cliff views, forest sections, and open overlooks makes it popular for hiking, trail running, biking, and casual walks.
Fig 1.1: Large walls of Shawangunk Conglomerate rising directly above Undercliff Road.
Overcliff Road and Undercliff Road
The main loop around the Trapps follows two historic carriage roads: Overcliff Road and Undercliff Road. Together they form an approximately 5-mile circuit around the cliff band. The grades are generally moderate, and the roads are wide and easy to follow.
Undercliff Road stays close to the base of the cliffs, where hikers can look directly up at the rock walls and occasionally watch climbers on the routes above. Overcliff Road travels higher along the ridge and provides several wider viewpoints looking east toward the Hudson Valley and west toward the Catskills.
Main parking areas and trail access points are located along Routes 44/55 near Gardiner, making the loop one of the most accessible major hiking areas in the region.
Fig 1.2: Catskill Mountain views from a clearing along Overcliff Road.
Views Along the Loop
One of the main draws of the Trapps loop is the variety of viewpoints found along both roads. Some sections remain enclosed by forest, while others open suddenly to long-distance views across the Hudson Valley, nearby ridges, and surrounding mountain ranges.
Along Undercliff Road, breaks in the trees provide views east toward New Paltz, Illinois Mountain, and parts of the Wallkill Valley. Other sections look directly up toward the ridge above the cliffs, including views of Skytop Tower.
Fig 1.3: Skytop Tower viewed from below along Undercliff Road.
Overcliff Road features several of the widest views on the loop. Open ledges and roadside clearings provide long sightlines toward the Catskills and other parts of the Hudson Valley region.
Fig 1.4: Looking east toward New Paltz and Illinois Mountain from Undercliff Road.
The loop is also one of the better places in the Shawangunks for combining cliff scenery with broader regional views in a relatively short distance. The roads remain popular throughout the year because the route works equally well as a short walk, a longer hike, or a casual sightseeing trip.
Fig 1.5: Distant ridge views from Undercliff Road, including Beacon Mountain on clear days.