Haines Falls Leads New Wave of Scenic Cycling in New York

A new data-driven ranking of New York’s most photogenic cycling routes is thrusting the Catskills hamlet of Haines Falls into the spotlight, alongside established Hudson Valley favorites Cold Spring and Kerhonkson, in what observers describe as a reshaping of the state’s scenic cycling map.

Trail Index Data Fuels a Scenic Power Shift

Recent analysis from the 2026 Trail Index compiled by Holland Bikes highlights a sharp rise in interest in visually striking cycling experiences, with searches for scenic routes in New York reported to have nearly doubled over the past year. The index evaluates routes on what it calls a Picture Perfect Score, a composite that blends trail ratings, elevation profiles, and the volume of user-generated imagery along a route.

Within that framework, multiple routes around Haines Falls, Cold Spring, and Kerhonkson now dominate the top positions in the statewide rankings. Blackhead Range via Kaaterskill Falls near Haines Falls is currently listed at the very top of the index with a score in the mid-90s, closely followed by Bull Hill and South Beacon Mountain above Cold Spring, and Gertrude’s Nose and Lake Awosting near Kerhonkson. Additional routes such as Inspiration Point via the Haines Falls rail trail and Cold Spring’s Breakneck Ridge and Wilkinson Memorial combinations also occupy high-ranking slots.

The concentration of high scores in these three communities is prompting tourism analysts to describe a scenic cluster effect, where a limited number of neighboring destinations capture a disproportionate share of attention from cyclists seeking dramatic views for social media and personal photography. Publicly available coverage of the index indicates that this focus is beginning to influence how riders plan weekend getaways and day trips across the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

Industry commentary around the Trail Index suggests that the appeal rests not only on gradient and distance but on the density of “wow moments” per kilometer, from waterfalls and cliffside lookouts to reservoir vistas and historic hamlets. Haines Falls, Cold Spring, and Kerhonkson each offer a different version of that visual drama, giving cyclists options that range from rugged mountain backdrops to reservoir-framed horizons.

Haines Falls: Kaaterskill Clove Takes Center Stage

Haines Falls, set above the storied Kaaterskill Clove in Greene County, has long been a draw for hikers and landscape painters. The new cycling-focused rankings highlight how that same terrain is now being repackaged for riders, with itineraries that string together paved roads, scenic pullouts, and short links to multi-use trails. A Greene County route guide describes a Great Northern Scenic Tour that threads through Palenville and Haines Falls, following Route 23A past viewpoints that overlook the clove and surrounding Catskill peaks.

The star attraction is Kaaterskill Falls, a multi-tiered cascade dropping more than 260 feet, which the Trail Index identifies as a defining visual anchor for top-ranked cycling routes in the area. Published route descriptions outline options where cyclists climb from valley towns up toward Haines Falls, gaining elevation over relatively short distances and emerging at overlooks that mirror compositions made famous by Hudson River School painters.

Local and regional tourism materials note that the broader corridor now supports a range of visitor services that cater to cyclists, including seasonal lodging, food stops, and bike-friendly amenities, many concentrated along the Route 23A corridor between Catskill, Palenville, Haines Falls, and Hunter. While much of the riding is on-road and includes sustained climbing, publicly available trail and route maps show a growing web of connections to quieter side roads and recreational paths that can be incorporated into loop rides.

Safety and access information circulated by county and state agencies stresses that sections of the highway through Kaaterskill Clove are narrow and heavily traveled at peak times, underscoring the importance of careful route planning and attention to conditions. Nonetheless, the new ranking suggests that committed road cyclists are increasingly accepting those trade-offs in exchange for high-impact scenery packed into relatively compact distances.

Cold Spring’s Hudson Highlands Showcase

On the lower Hudson, Cold Spring in Putnam County continues to build on its reputation as one of the state’s most accessible gateways to big-mountain views. The Trail Index lists several Hudson Highlands routes anchored on the village, including Bull Hill and South Beacon Mountain, Breakneck Ridge and Cornish Trail, and the Wilkinson Memorial loop combinations, all scoring above 90 on its Picture Perfect scale.

Topographic maps and park planning documents for Hudson Highlands State Park show how these routes gain hundreds of meters of elevation from near sea level at the Hudson River to open ledges facing Storm King Mountain, the Bear Mountain Bridge, and the river corridor. For cyclists, this geography translates to steep approaches via Route 9D and adjacent roads, followed by opportunities to transition onto mixed-surface paths and quiet lanes that contour above the river.

Route libraries maintained by cycling clubs and digital platforms describe Cold Spring as a launch point for tours that range from half-day hill loops to all-day traverses toward Fahnestock State Park and beyond. The proposed Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, documented in recent planning reports, is designed to strengthen walking and cycling links between Beacon and Cold Spring along the riverfront, further cementing the village’s role in the region’s active travel network.

Travel and recreation coverage points to additional factors behind Cold Spring’s continued popularity: direct rail access from New York City, a compact historic main street that allows riders to roll directly from the train to the trailhead, and a concentration of cafes and accommodations within a few blocks of the river. These elements combine to make high-elevation, photo-ready landscapes feasible for car-free day trippers and overnight visitors alike.

Kerhonkson and the Rail Trail Renaissance

Kerhonkson, in Ulster County, is emerging as a quieter counterpart to Cold Spring’s bustling riverfront and Haines Falls’ dramatic mountain roads. The Trail Index ranks the Gertrude’s Nose and Lake Awosting loop, accessed from the wider Shawangunk Ridge area, among the state’s most scenic cycling-adjacent routes, with scores just above 92. While certain sections of this classic circuit are primarily associated with hiking, surrounding roads and multi-use paths provide cycling connections that deliver similar cliff and lake panoramas.

Public planning documents for the O and W Rail Trail corridor describe a steadily expanding network that links Kerhonkson with nearby Accord, Stone Ridge, and Hurley, with connections toward Kingston and the Ashokan Reservoir. Sections of this route have been repurposed from historic rail beds into multi-use trails that welcome cyclists, walkers, and runners, often separated from motor traffic and routed through farmland, wetlands, and forest.

Regional trail initiatives emphasize that the goal is to connect the O and W Rail Trail with the Ashokan Rail Trail and other Ulster County pathways, effectively extending a continuous corridor from the foothills of the Catskills toward the Hudson River. Descriptions from trail organizations and user reports highlight features such as long gentle grades, views of the Shawangunk cliffs, and frequent access points near small hamlets and local businesses.

For cyclists prioritizing imagery over intensity, these rail trail segments offer a different kind of picture-perfect experience compared with the steep climbs around Haines Falls or the Hudson Highlands. Wide crushed-stone or packed-dirt surfaces, tree tunnels, and reflective water views along reservoirs and creeks generate a steady stream of photogenic scenes without the need for extreme fitness or advanced bike-handling skills.

Cycling Tourism and the New Scenic Economy

The clustering of high-ranked routes around Haines Falls, Cold Spring, and Kerhonkson aligns with a broader shift in outdoor travel trends, in which riders seek itineraries that combine physical challenge, visual impact, and convenient amenities. Travel industry analysis regarding New York’s cycling sector notes a growing emphasis on “ride and stay” packages, bike-friendly lodging, and services such as rentals and guided experiences positioned in proximity to headline trails.

State and county planning materials for projects like the Empire State Trail, the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, and Ulster County’s rail trail system point to long-term efforts to weave individual destinations into a more continuous cycling network. The recent Trail Index findings effectively overlay a visual preference map on top of that infrastructure, identifying nodes where scenery, access, and services align to create especially marketable products for domestic and international visitors.

Observers in the outdoor recreation space suggest that the new rankings are likely to influence promotional campaigns and visitor itineraries over the coming seasons. Haines Falls, Cold Spring, and Kerhonkson are already appearing together in travel features that spotlight New York’s most scenic rides for spring and summer, positioning the trio as a kind of informal circuit for cyclists willing to move between the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

While the index focuses on aesthetics, public guidance continues to emphasize practical considerations such as route difficulty, weather variability, and shared-use etiquette on popular trails. As more riders are drawn to the state’s most photogenic cycling corridors, those factors are expected to shape how Haines Falls, Cold Spring, and Kerhonkson manage and sustain their new status at the top of New York’s scenic cycling hierarchy.