HomeNew YorkGardiner › Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead

Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 82 Google reviews · Running trail in Gardiner, New York · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
6 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surface6 miLoopScenicFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Vast nature area featuring trails, waterfalls and rock-climbing spots.

What runners say about Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (82 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Despite the dreary drizzling day, we had a great hike here, which is a testament to how beautiful this preserve and climbing area is.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Great place to trad climbing for all levels.”

Used this parking lot to access the Overcliff and Undercliff carriage trail as a nature walk. Bit of an uphill from the parking lot, but once past the trailhead it’s a completely flat gravel bridal trail the whole way. Gorgeous views and lots of shaded path.

★★★★★ — Leah , Jun 2022

Despite the dreary drizzling day, we had a great hike here, which is a testament to how beautiful this preserve and climbing area is. World-renown for it's top tier rock climbing, I learned a lot about the sport from the various information stations along the trail.

★★★★★ — Dani , Jan 2024

This place is a trad and boulder climber dream. If you are new to climbing and go with someone who is experienced there are climbs there that are on the easier side to do. Great spot for hiking and biking too. I’ve been going here for over ten years and I love it!

★★★★★ — Andres , Jul 2022

The best part are the views and the exquisite terrain. Well worth going to the waterfall. There is a loop trail that you can do as well but it is much longer 4-5 hours. Better to use the there and back which takes 2-3 hours.

★★★★★ — Eduardo , Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 82 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 14 mentions

“Despite the dreary drizzling day, we had a great hike here, which is a testament to how beautiful this preserve and climbing area is.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“Used this parking lot to access the Overcliff and Undercliff carriage trail as a nature walk.”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“Start with a stop at the Visitor Center where knowledgeable staff and volunteers can help you choose the best hike for your experience level.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“(Undercliff, not so much - recommend the out and back on Overcliff rather than loop.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“There are 2 bathrooms, one in the parking lot and one on the carriage road.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

“5 miles out and back format.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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Plan your run at Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Loop distance6 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitemohonkpreserve.org
  • Phone(845) 255-0919
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7 PM
Friday 7 AM–7 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead

3700 State Rte 55, Gardiner, NY 12525

Get directions

Running trails near Gardiner

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Peterskill At Minnewaska State Park Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 198 reviews

Gardiner, NY

Natural surfaceScenic

Park 2.5 hours from NYC where rock climbing is popular.

under a mile away

Gertrude's Nose / Minnewaska Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 152 reviews

Kerhonkson, NY

LoopLitScenic

1.8 miles away

Awosting Falls

4.8 ★★★★★ 183 reviews

Gardiner, NY

LoopPavedScenic

Visitors can follow a quarter-mile paved path from the parking lot to see this waterfall.

1.9 miles away

Wawarsing Turnpike Trail

4.2 ★★★★☆ 25 reviews

Kerhonkson, NY

Scenic

2.7 miles away

Mohonk Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,156 reviews

Gardiner, NY

LoopScenic

Sprawling area of nature reserve with 75 mi. of carriage trails, cliffs, fields & forests.

2.7 miles away

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 5,539 reviews

Kerhonkson, NY

LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Waterfalls, 3 sky lakes & 25 mi. of footpaths for hiking & biking, plus rock climbing.

2.8 miles away

All running trails in Gardiner, NY →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.