Have you planned any summer roadtrips to Upstate NY yet for this year? Well if not, we have one you do not want to miss.
Just 90 miles north of New York City lies an 88‑mile driving route that feels like a full‑on outdoor reset: the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway.
Designated as an official New York State Scenic Byway in 2006, this loop is built around more than 30,000 acres of nature preserves and historic sites.
It’s also recognized as a Path Through History route, which makes it one of the most visually rewarding drives in the Hudson Valley for hikers, rock climbers, and anyone who wants to hit the road, roll the windows down, and breathe real air.
The byway links lush farms, sheer climbing cliffs, and classic Hudson Valley towns into one big, slow‑roll day trip, giving you everything from rolling valley views to cascading waterfalls and Catskill‑range panoramas.
Here’s how to experience it this summer!
Why this route is such a standout
Locals lovingly call this towering region the “Gunks,” and it’s easy to see why.
The area is famous for its stark white quartz conglomerate cliffs, bright green farmland, and rolling valleys that look like a nature‑postcard made real.
The Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway weaves through the Rondout and Wallkill valleys, threading together small towns, preserves, and farms in a way that feels connected but never crowded.
The road itself follows the ridge and dips into the valleys, with hairpin turns, carefully engineered switchbacks, and scenic overlooks that drop off right at the edge of the cliffs.
When you pull over at those lookouts, you can see the Catskill Mountains spread out in the distance, which makes the whole drive feel like a mini‑adventure every time you hit the brakes.
There are also historic farming communities, Revolutionary‑War‑era churches, and small villages scattered along the way, giving the route a real sense of place beyond just being a pretty drive.
Must-visit stops along the way
You could easily spend a whole week exploring every quaint town and hiking trail on the route.
However, we have rounded up the very best stops you need to add to your weekend itinerary:
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Often called the crown jewel of the region, Minnewaska offers dramatic waterfalls, cliffside reservoirs, and miles of hiking and climbing trails. The 60‑foot Awosting Falls and the sharp drop of Rainbow Falls are both must‑see stops, especially if you want to feel like you’re in an actual landscape painting.
- Mohonk Preserve: Located right in the heart of the Gunks climbing region, Mohonk Preserve is a massive network of cliff‑top trails and historic carriage roads, which give you some of the best views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. If you want to spend part of the day hiking or climbing, this is the obvious place to start.
- The Rosendale Trestle: If you want one of the most Instagram‑friendly moments on the drive, hop off the car and walk the Rosendale Trestle, a towering 150‑foot‑tall bridge that stretches almost 1,000 feet across the Wallkill Valley on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
- Historic New Paltz: You can choose to start or end your trip in New Paltz, a charming village with a strong small‑town feel and easy access to the byway. Stroll down Huguenot Street—one of the most historic blocks in the state—or grab a craft beer and a farm‑to‑table meal after a long day of driving and hiking.
- Local farms and orchards: Along stretches of the route, you’ll pass small towns like Accord and Gardiner, where you can stop by beloved local farms like Kelder’s Farm and Saunderskill Farm. There’s something special about grabbing fresh local produce with a massive mountain backdrop behind you, and it’s a simple way to turn the drive into a true weekend‑style food‑and‑nature trip.
How to drive the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway
The best way to tackle the route is to take Routes 44 and 55 straight across the Shawangunk Ridge for a 16‑mile core stretch that gives you the most dramatic elevation changes and the best access to overlooks, trails, and preserves.
From NYC, the most direct route is usually the New York State Thruway (I‑87) north, then onto the Hudson Valley connectors that lead into the 44/55 corridor.
Pack a snack stash, throw together a driving playlist, and let the fresh Upstate air completely reset your system.
New York State is packed with gorgeous drives don’t get us wrong, but the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway is one of the most rewarding single‑day escapes gracing the Catskill Mountains region.
