Diamond Notch Falls

The falls are a matched pair, two cascades running side by side over tilted slabs of bedrock, each roughly fifteen feet high, splitting around a V-shaped notch of rock. In high water the two chutes swell and can merge into a single broad sheet of white; in summer they narrow to twin ribbons over dark stone. Either way, the wooden footbridge spanning the stream at the top puts you right in the middle of the scene.

Just below the cascade the water gathers in a modest pool, shallow and cold, perfect for cooling tired feet on a warm afternoon. It is a small waterfall by the standards of the famous Catskill giants, but its setting deep in the forest, the sound of the West Kill, and the footbridge frame make it one of the most photogenic short-hike falls in the range.

Getting there is half the pleasure. From the eastern trailhead at the very end of Spruceton Road, the blue-blazed Diamond Notch Trail follows the West Kill upstream through hemlock and hardwood forest, climbing gently for about a mile to reach the footbridge and falls. The grade is easy enough for families and casual hikers, a rarity among Catskill waterfall hikes, many of which involve steep and rugged climbs.

The valley itself is worth savoring. Spruceton Road is a quiet dead-end that runs deep into the mountains along the stream, past old clearings and trailheads, with the walls of the high peaks rising on either side. It feels remote and hushed, and on a weekday you may have long stretches of the trail entirely to yourself.

The falls mark a crossroads deep in the Hunter West Kill Wilderness, one of the Catskill Forest Preserve's stricter protected areas. Just past the footbridge, the Diamond Notch Trail meets the celebrated Devil's Path, the long and rugged ridge route that traverses the range's toughest summits, so serious hikers use this gentle first mile as the on-ramp to much bigger days.

The trail also continues south and climbs toward Diamond Notch, the high wind gap that sits between West Kill Mountain and Southwest Hunter Mountain, both among the Catskills' peaks above thirty-five hundred feet. You do not have to go any farther than the falls to have a fine outing, but it is good to know the mountains are right there if the day and your legs allow.

Drive to the end of Spruceton Road, west of Hunter, where a small gravel lot serves the eastern Diamond Notch trailhead. The lot holds only a handful of cars and fills on prime autumn weekends, so aim for a weekday or an early start if you can. From there the blue-blazed trail leads about a mile to the footbridge and falls.

Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and pack out all your trash, since this is a wilderness area with no facilities. Spring snowmelt and heavy rain both make the West Kill run loud and full, the most dramatic time to see the twin cascade, while summer offers the calmest water for a wade in the pool below. It is a short, honest hike to a genuinely lovely spot in the heart of the Catskills.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.