Lake Awosting via Lower Awosting Carriageway is a 9.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Wawarsing, New York that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Fee ($10) or the Empire Pass card ($80). Machine takes both cash and credit card Fee: $10 to park This is really a "lasso" route since the first and last 2.8 miles take the same way (Lower Awosting Carriageway), in the middle of which is a circuit of Lake Awosting. You start at the Lower Awosting parking lot, and then take the Lower Awosting Carriageway, which makes a gradual ascent until, at 2.3 miles, it abruptly gets considerably steeper as it climbs what is generally known as "Cardiac Hill". At 2.8 miles, the Lower Awosting Carriageway ends at an intersection with the Lake Awosting Carriageway, onto which you turn right. You soon pass an old ranger cabin, shortly after which you stay to the left at a fork in the road to continue the circuit around the (quite picturesque) lake. At 5 miles, you pass a seasonal swimming area. At 5.7 miles, turn left at an intersection (Castle Point Carriageway goes to the right), which soon leads to a couple of beautiful viewpoints over the lake, with the Catskill Mtns in the background. At 6.1 miles, turn left (Upper Awosting Carriageway goes straight), and, at 6.2 miles turn right to return to your starting point on the Lower Awosting Carriageway. On the return, if you're so inclined, and don't mind following a footpath, you can turn right onto the Blueberry Run path, which quickly crosses Peters Kill, and then turn left onto the Mossy Glen trail, which follows Peters Kill before ending at the Lower Awosting Carriageway just before the latter reaches the parking area. Note that there are lots of wild blueberry bushes along this route, which makes this hike a special pleasure from late July to mid-August.
March 13, 2021nice hike but some are trails that are used for cross country skiing and are poorly marked, so you get alot of lip from skiers.
March 6, 2021February 6, 2021January 27, 2021November 18, 2020November 6, 2020October 18, 2020October 3, 2020beautiful trail along stream and around lake. park opens at 9am and cars were lined up since 8. Parked at wrong trailhead and didn't get on trail I had planned....decided to wing it and glad I did. Trails well marked, map they give u when you pay to park ($10) is awful...but signs at all trailheads and crossing giving you detailed info
August 22, 2020July 27, 2020Great Hike!!! Fairly easy one, but beautiful. Swimming/Beach Area on the Lake is a TOP drawer.
June 14, 2020This was about 8 miles for us and my first time to Awosting. The walk around the lake was breathtaking and I actually gasped while coming around a number of corners. Pretty scenery and not too busy as we got there very early. I did manage a serious sunburn though so be sure to cover up or wear sunblock.
May 30, 2020I highly recommend this trail. It’s relatively well marked course and has some of the great views of the lake. I took the black mark trail and has few hills along the way but manageable. I also spotted a rattle snake along the way but won’t harm you if you mind your own business and maintain your distance. It’s less crowded. People have their masks on and maintain 6ft distance. Great course overall!
April 25, 2020Counterclockwise down road path the clockwise on Awosting lake loop. Nice lookouts over lake and good picture opportunities. Back to Rainbow falls loop trail down a slight incline to the falls, lots of green and moss this time of year. Follow trail back along the river back to parking lot. Pretty muddy as it rained the last 3 days but not too bad. Bugs weren’t too bad yet but will be soon. Would recommend highly.
February 23, 2020September 11, 2019Easy hike in terms of elevation and little to no rock scrambling on the main carriage road. Options to stray onto various footpaths throughout the hike, which would’ve made it more challenging. There are some stunning views once you make it to the lake and begin to circle back around. At a point, you’re walking along a cliff side overlooking a valley with rolling hills and rising mountains in the background. Really beautiful colors, especially in the autumn! Half in the open and half on a shady carriage road, but so many options to stray. There were a lot of bugs, but some citronella oil did the trick and they weren’t a terrible nuisance. You will definitely feel it after this hike, simply because it is a slow incline, but LONG. Completely worth it, though. Amazing park and wonderful trail!
September 7, 2019August 10, 2019Well trafficked and the lake’s beach area very well appointed . Did run into a rattlesnake, so would stay away from the foot paths
August 6, 2019
First to ReviewOne of my favorites at Minnewaska.
April 10, 2021April 10, 2021March 14, 2021February 6, 2021January 27, 2021December 13, 2020November 9, 2020November 7, 2020November 7, 2020
