Mohonk Preserve

Plateau Viewpoint–Swimming Hole, 5 sights

5.4 mi · ▲ 542 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Plateau Viewpoint–Swimming Hole, 5 sights is a 5.4-mile out-and-back in Mohonk Preserve near Lake Minnewaska, NY. The route passes Split Rock and Swimming Hole before reaching Plateau Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.7 miles in. It climbs 542 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi679 – 1,119 ft5.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Old Minnewaska Trail 41.74444, -74.19699
Nearest town Lake Minnewaska, NY

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Plateau Viewpoint–Swimming Hole, 5 sights

5.4 mi · ▲ 542 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Elevation 679–1,118 ft

Out & Back · Mohonk Preserve

Trailhead: Old Minnewaska Trail · 41.74444, -74.19699

Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:22 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Old Minnewaska Trail, heading NE.
  2. 450 ftPass Split Rock.
  3. 50 ftPass Swimming Hole.
  4. 2.1 miTurn left onto Laurel Ledge, heading N.
  5. 0.3 miSharp right onto Plateau Path, heading SE.
  6. 0.2 miReach Plateau Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 0.2 miSharp left onto Laurel Ledge, heading W.
  8. 0.3 miTurn right onto Old Minnewaska Trail, heading S.
  9. 2.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

70% dirt10% gravel20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:22 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~56 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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