Hunter Mountain is the second highest peak in the Catskills, at about 1,230 metres, and it dominates the skyline for miles around. In winter it is a ski resort, with trails cut into the slopes, and in summer its fire tower on the summit offers a wide view across the range. The mountain stands at the edge of the Catskill escarpment, where the high plateau drops sharply to the Hudson valley, and the road that skirts it follows this edge for much of its length.
The riding here is a mix of climbing and long, smooth sweeps. Route 23A passes through the village of Hunter, a small mountain town of lodges and shops, and continues along the slope with bends that open to views of the valley and the neighbouring peaks. The surface is generally good, with a wide shoulder in places, and traffic is moderate, though ski season and summer weekends bring crowds. In winter, the road can be icy, and snow can arrive early or linger late, so check the weather before you go.
The geology is the key to the view. The Catskills are not true mountains in the sense of folded ranges but the dissected edge of an ancient plateau, carved by streams into steep valleys called cloves. That is why the summits are at similar heights, and why the escarpment drops so abruptly. The forests are mostly hardwood, with sugar maple, beech and birch, and hemlock in the shaded hollows. Black bears live in these woods, and deer cross the road at dawn and dusk, so ride carefully in the low light.
For practical needs, Hudson is the nearest town of size, though it is some distance away, and Palenville and Cairo have a few shops. The village of Hunter has cafés, a general store and fuel, but hours may be limited outside the ski and summer seasons, so it is wise to start with a full tank. In winter, the village feels like a ski town, with warm lodges and the smell of woodsmoke.
If you stop at the edge, look for pull-offs where the view opens across the valley. On a clear day, you can see the Hudson River as a pale line and the hills of Massachusetts beyond. In autumn, the colour of the maples is intense, and the air is crisp and clean.