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Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop: A Scenic Mohonk Hike Guide

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The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail in the Mohonk Preserve offers a 5.1-mile adventure with stunning views, a challenging rock scramble, and diverse ecosystems, making it a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.



The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail, nestled in the stunning Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz, New York, offers an unforgettable hiking experience. Known for its challenging rock scramble, breathtaking views of the Shawangunk Ridge, and diverse natural scenery, this 5.1-mile loop trail is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts. With an elevation gain of 1,040 feet, the trail is generally considered moderately difficult, making it suitable for hikers looking for a bit of adventure. The real highlight is the ascent to Bonticou Crag, where you’ll need strong upper body strength and dexterity to navigate narrow rock ledges and scramble over rugged terrain. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Shawangunk Ridge, Catskill Mountains, and the Hudson Valley.

Popular from spring to fall, the Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail is especially beloved in autumn, when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. This trail’s beauty attracts hikers and runners alike, making it one of the most visited areas in the preserve. Spring and summer are also prime times to explore the trail, with blooming wildflowers and lush greenery adding to the trail’s charm.

The Mohonk Preserve is part of the larger Shawangunk Ridge, a 47-mile-long ridge known for its geological and ecological diversity. The Spring Farm parking area, where the trail begins, can accommodate only a few dozen cars and tends to fill up early, especially on weekends. For the best experience, plan to arrive early in the day, especially if you’re visiting during peak seasons. This guide will provide you with essential information on how to get there, the region’s geography and geology, the ecology, a detailed trail description, and tips for planning your trip.

The expansive view from Bonticou Crag showcases the stunning beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains in the Mohonk Preserve, New York.

The expansive view from Bonticou Crag showcases the stunning beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains in the Mohonk Preserve, New York.


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Getting to the Trailhead

The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail is located in the Spring Farm area of the Mohonk Preserve, just a short drive from the town of New Paltz. The preserve is roughly 90 miles north of New York City, making it a popular day trip destination for city dwellers looking to escape into nature. To get to the trailhead from New York City, take the New York State Thruway (I-87) north toward Albany. Take Exit 18 for New Paltz and turn left onto Route 299, heading west toward the town center. Continue through the town, and after about six miles, turn right onto Butterville Road. Follow this road for approximately 2.5 miles before making a left onto Spring Farm Road. The trailhead is located at the end of this road, where you’ll find the Spring Farm parking area.

Parking can be a challenge on weekends, especially during the peak fall season, so it’s important to arrive early. If the Spring Farm lot is full, other parking areas within the Mohonk Preserve may also reach capacity. Check the Mohonk Preserve website or call ahead for parking status updates to avoid disappointment. The preserve charges a daily fee for access, which supports the maintenance of the trails and preservation of the natural landscape.

Geography and Geology of the Trail Region

The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail sits within the Shawangunk Ridge, a prominent geological feature of the northeastern United States. The Shawangunks, as they are affectionately known, are part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range, stretching for approximately 47 miles through southeastern New York and into northern New Jersey. The ridge itself is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations, and diverse ecosystems, making it a favorite destination for rock climbers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts.

Geologically, the Shawangunk Ridge is composed primarily of quartz conglomerate, a sedimentary rock formed millions of years ago during the Silurian period. This rock is notable for its hardness and resistance to erosion, which has allowed the dramatic cliffs and crags, like Bonticou Crag, to form over time. The quartz conglomerate consists of large, rounded quartz pebbles cemented together by finer sediment, creating a rock that is both visually striking and uniquely textured. As you hike along the trail, you’ll notice the exposed cliffs and boulders that have been sculpted by millennia of natural forces, including wind, water, and ice.

The Bonticou Crag itself is a prominent outcrop of quartz conglomerate that rises dramatically above the surrounding landscape. The rock scramble leading to the top of the crag provides a hands-on experience with this rugged geology, as hikers must navigate over and around large boulders to reach the summit. From the top of the crag, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Shawangunk Ridge, the Catskill Mountains to the north, and the Hudson Valley stretching out to the east.

Beyond its striking geological features, the Shawangunk Ridge is also known for its karst topography. This landscape is characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground streams, all of which have formed through the dissolution of soluble rock, such as limestone and dolomite. While the quartz conglomerate of the ridge itself is less susceptible to this process, the surrounding valleys and lowlands are dotted with karst formations, adding to the area’s geological diversity.

The Table Rocks section of the trail offers a more subtle, yet equally fascinating geological experience. This area is characterized by large, flat expanses of bedrock that have been smoothed and sculpted by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. As glaciers advanced and retreated across the landscape, they left behind these polished rock surfaces, which today provide hikers with open, airy viewpoints and a striking contrast to the rugged cliffs of Bonticou Crag.

Ecology of the Trail Area

The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail winds through a diverse array of habitats, each of which supports a unique community of plants and animals. The Mohonk Preserve is located in the heart of the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Hotspot, a region recognized for its rich ecological diversity and its importance in supporting rare and endangered species.

At the lower elevations, the trail passes through hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, and hickory trees. These forests are particularly stunning in the fall, when the foliage transforms into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. During the spring and summer months, wildflowers such as trillium, columbine, and jack-in-the-pulpit bloom along the forest floor, while ferns and mosses thrive in the cool, shady understory.

As the trail ascends toward Bonticou Crag, the forest begins to transition into a more open, rocky landscape. Here, you’ll find stands of pitch pine and chestnut oak, both of which are well-adapted to the dry, rocky soils of the ridge. These trees are often gnarled and stunted, a testament to the harsh growing conditions on the exposed cliffs. The pitch pine, in particular, is known for its resilience to fire and drought, making it a common sight in the Shawangunks’ rocky, fire-prone habitats.

The crag itself is home to a variety of hardy plant species that have adapted to the thin soils and extreme exposure to sun and wind. Among these are mountain laurel, huckleberry, and lowbush blueberry, all of which add a splash of color to the otherwise stark landscape. In the spring, the mountain laurel bursts into bloom with clusters of delicate pink and white flowers, while the blueberries ripen later in the summer, providing a tasty treat for both hikers and wildlife.

Wildlife in the area is equally diverse, with many species thriving in the varied habitats along the trail. White-tailed deer are a common sight in the forests, while black bears, though more elusive, are known to inhabit the preserve. Birdwatchers will delight in the abundance of species that call the Shawangunk Ridge home, including red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, and the occasional bald eagle soaring overhead. The rocky cliffs of Bonticou Crag also provide nesting sites for ravens and turkey vultures, both of which can often be seen circling the sky above the ridge.

Reptiles and amphibians are well-represented in the preserve’s ecosystems as well. The rocky outcrops and open meadows provide ideal habitat for the eastern fence lizard and the five-lined skink, both of which are commonly spotted sunning themselves on warm rocks. In the wetter areas of the preserve, you may encounter amphibians like the spotted salamander or the American toad, while the preserve’s streams and ponds are home to a variety of frogs and turtles.

Trail Description

The Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail is a 5.1-mile adventure that offers a variety of terrain, from wooded paths to open rock scrambles, with stunning views and unique geological features. The trail starts at the Spring Farm parking area, where you’ll find a well-marked trailhead leading into the woods. Initially, the trail is relatively easy, winding through hardwood forests and gradually ascending toward Bonticou Crag.

After about a mile, you’ll reach a junction where the trail splits. To reach the summit of Bonticou Crag, follow the path to the right, which leads to the base of the rock scramble. This section of the trail is the most challenging, requiring hikers to use both hands and feet to navigate the large boulders and narrow rock ledges. The rock scramble is steep and exposed, so caution is advised, especially in wet or icy conditions. However, for those willing to take on the challenge, the reward is well worth it. Once you reach the top of the crag, you’ll be greeted by panoramic views of the Shawangunk Ridge, the Catskills, and the Hudson Valley.

After taking in the views from Bonticou Crag, you can continue along the loop by descending the other side of the crag and following the trail toward Table Rocks. This section of the trail is less strenuous but equally scenic, with more open rock formations and expansive views. The Table Rocks area is a flat, rocky expanse that offers a peaceful spot to rest and take in the surroundings before heading back into the woods for the final leg of the hike.

The return journey follows a more gradual descent through the forest, eventually reconnecting with the initial trail that leads back to the Spring Farm parking area. Throughout the hike, you’ll encounter a variety of terrain, from rocky outcrops to forested paths, making for a diverse and engaging experience.

Planning Your Trip

When planning your hike along the Bonticou Crag and Table Rocks Loop Trail, it’s important to consider the season, weather conditions, and your own fitness level. The trail is best visited from spring through fall, with each season offering its own unique appeal. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and lush greenery, while summer offers warm, sunny days ideal for hiking. Autumn is perhaps the most popular time to visit, as the fall foliage transforms the landscape into a stunning display of color.

Due to the challenging nature of the rock scramble, it’s important to be prepared with the right gear. Sturdy hiking boots with good grip are essential, as the rocky terrain can be slippery, especially after rain. Bringing along trekking poles can also help with balance during the scramble and on the descent.


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