Vroman’s Nose is a very short hike that has a lot of viewpoints, outlooks and photo opportunities. There are a lot of tourists and kids that do this hike since it is very easy. The trails are very well maintained, the incline is very gentle and the views are amazing. I highly recommend this hike since this is very beautiful and very easy to do. So if you are ever in the area, I recommend doing this hike.
Vroman’s Nose Loop Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1, Trail Map 2
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.5 Miles
Elevation Gained: 400 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: Gas Station Near Trailhead
Trail Breakdown
Green Trail
Green Trail Top
Vroman’s Nose Lookout
Blue Trail
Yellow Trail
Green Trail
https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/3629524570
Note: The information is just an approximation.
Parking
Note: Do not imitate nor copy some of the pictures that I have done since they are dangerous. I have been here multiple times and have taken lots of precautions. My boots had lots of traction and I always made sure I was safe.
Start Of The Hike
I was a simple man with barely any desires or ambition. All I wanted was a hiking trail and I would be happy. Show me a hike with amazing views and I will be there and Vroman’s Nose was rumored to have one. Whether it was sunny, stormy, hailing, or raining, if there was a trail to explore, I will be there. Why? I love nature. I love to be one with nature. It was where I felt at home.
Parking Lot
It was a big parking lot, far bigger than what I had expected especially for a trail that was less than 2 miles. You could most likely fit 100 cars in here. There was a gasoline station nearby as well where I could get gas, buy food and go to the bathroom. It was such a perfect place yet it felt odd as the hike itself was very short yet the amnesties where far more than I was expecting. I drove to the parking lot, parked next to the cars already parked and prepared myself to go on the hike.
Trail
It was a simple trail with barely any elevation as I encountered various people along the way. They were not hikers, they were just tourists, parents, children and dogs. The hike was very family friendly as the elevation gain was low and the hike itself was very short. I greeted everyone by saying “hello” or “good morning” then went on my way.
Green Trail
The weather was nice and sunny that to hike through a forest and go up a hill felt good and enjoyable with every step that I made. It was a wide footpath with roots protruding once in a while, barely any dead leaves on the ground as my boots hit hard flat soil and small pebbles on the ground. The trail was definitely popular and well maintained with lots of trail markers and signs guiding hikers to the top.
Green Trail
Easy and pleasant, the gentle incline greeted me on this part of the hike with a couple of people joking around and smiling as they passed me by. It was a beautiful day for a hike and every hiker I met seemed to be in good spirits with some of them going to the top while others went back to the parking lot. There were children and dogs hiking along the trail, a good sign that this hike is going to be easy and effortless.
Green Trail
This hiking trail seemed to be very popular as the footpath barely had any dead leaves and the trail markers were very evident and well placed. The dead trees and logs at the side of the trail were trimmed, all of the sharp branches taken out and the logs themselves were pushed to the side as to not block the people hiking on the footpath. It was a great trail for families, children and for beginner hikers- a gentle footpath with promises of amazing views at the top.
Green Trail
The road became narrow and the people that I saw earlier already disappeared. They were faster than me who was walking slowly and who trying to appreciate the forest that I found to be beautiful. The trees became skinnier as well but they stood proud and pointed to the sky like towering giants that were guiding the way.
Green Trail
The forest became thicker as the trees and bushes started closing in on the footpath. Roots protrude from the ground perhaps due to erosion as I tried my best not to trip on them when I walked past them.
Green Trail
It was the end of the green trail and I was nearing the top judging from the blue sky that I saw at the end of the forest. But I knew that I could also be mistaken as the forest trails could sometimes play tricks on my mind. The easy footpath continued even on this area, nothing noteworthy, just a dirt footpath that was very easy to traverse and hike through.
Green Trail
The red trail was a narrow footpath with beautiful grass growing on both sides of it. Birds were chirping as I came walking by but I couldn’t see them nor find them. The chirps sounded happy, and even playful at times and they were coming from all directions. Perhaps they were enjoying the beautiful weather the same way that I was enjoying it as well.
Green Trail
A cliff could be seen at my right, a clear sign that I was already at the top for the trail. I walked gleefully as I knew that the viewpoint would be near. It was a very easy hike, far too easy. I was too accustomed to high elevation gains that I had forgotten the simple pleasures of hiking a trail that was short and sweet.
Vroman’s Nose Lookout
Vroman’s Nose had a series of lookouts or vistas that could accommodate large groups or large amounts of people. I was expecting just one ledge but there were multiple ledges overlooking the same valley. It was definitely a good place for nature photographers or instagrammers that needed a good view. There were lots of vistas and angles to choose from that people can have a good time with letting their imagination or creativity run wild.
Vroman’s Nose Vista
The dazzling sun showered its rays, heating my body and my surroundings. It shined mercilessly from the somewhat empty blue sky while the chilly mountain breeze blows, cooling my body and refreshing my energies. The cool wind was enough to offset the heavy rays of the sun that I find my stay at the viewpoint rather relaxing and nice.
Views
I gazed at the valley in front of me, a farm land of some sort, neatly layered and very orderly. It looked clean and beautiful without a trace of pollution or any type of smog could be seen. I sat there just watching the valley, the stillness of the far reaching mountains that block the silver horizon, to the feather-like clouds that dissipate in seconds. I sat in pure amusement, enjoying my time, enjoying the view, and hoping such views would last forever.
Scenic Vista
The beautiful valley captured the tranquility and peacefulness of nature from the crops growing on the farmland, to the tall wide mountains that were very faraway, to the beautiful, open and limitless blue sky. Such peacefulness and harmony could be felt deep within my heart and such feelings propagated throughout my body, filling me with peace and love as I watch in silence the beauty that was opening up before me.
Viewpoint
There were plenty of times where I wished that I could stay and just watch nature for eternity. Just let time pass by and I would be in stillness, just admiring the views and appreciating nature to my heart’s content. But I knew such feelings could not last forever as I have work, bills, and responsibilities back home. But still, I wished that I could stay still and let time passed by, let all my worries and tribulations fade away with each passing of the wind.
Vroman’s Nose Vista Ledge
I walked from one spot to another, moving forward, looking at one viewpoint to the next. I most likely spent more time looking at the valley than actually hiking or walking. There was just this amazing feeling whenever I looked at a beautiful view as if I was free or as if I was at home.
Last View Before Heading Back
I looked at the valley one last time as I was at the last viewpoint. It was still beautiful and I hope this valley never changes. I want to hike this trail again sometime in the future and hope that all is well and all is still beautiful.
Blue Trail
It was a wide footpath going down to the parking lot, steeper than the trail going up but at the same time, it was easy and rather manageable. I had seen worst and this was actually more tame than the trails that I often traverse. I stepped on the brown soil and gravity propelled me forward. I did not bother slowing my speed nor resisting the momentum as I didn’t want to spend more energy than necessary.
Blue Trail
The footpath became narrower and steeper with dead brown leaves scattered everywhere. It was like a sea of dead leaves blanketing everything, hiding dangers lurking underneath. These leaves often hide big rocks and boulders that could trip people or break their ankles so I slowed down, catching my breath and centered myself. Being safe was better than being sorry.
Intersection
Going straight will take me to the yellow trail and following the green and blue trail will take me to a different parking lot.
Yellow Trail
The descent on the yellow trail was gentle, easy and calming. I felt like I was walking in my neighborhood park rather than being deep inside a forest. The weather was beautiful as well as if all the stars in the universe colluded to give me an amazing day to hike with. The place was beautiful, easy on the legs, and provides a good exercise for a traditional household a family. I loved it.
Green Trail
I saw a familiar sign and instantly knew that I was back on the green trail. The hike was almost over but I had lots of fun. The footpaths were easy and very well maintained. A great trail for beginners and tourists that want to spend time with nature. The views were great as well.
End Of The Hike
The end of another hike was upon me as the flat terrain towards the parking lot greeted me with open arms. There were grass growing on the trail and various shrubs along the side but hardly any rocks or boulders on the path which made the trail very easy. A fitting end to a very beautiful hike. All hikes should end with a nice walk to the car rather a very steep downhill trail. I opened my car and unloaded my hiking backpack and then proceeded to head home. Hoping to get a good sleep while looking forward to the next adventure.
For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best Hikes In Catskill, New York page.