HikerKaaterskill Falls observation platform from Laurel House Road
Choose the observation platform as the complete Kaaterskill itinerary. It is a different outing from descending to the lower falls, and the shared plan should say so.
- Route type
- Out and back
- Distance
- 0.6 mi
- Cumulative ascent
- Not verified
Calculated return: 2 × 0.3 = 0.6 mile. Lower falls excluded. Full-route ascent not verified. Summit elevation is not elevation gain.
Sources reviewed 2026-10-09 · Independent HikerQuests planning guide
Start here
Use Laurel House Road access for DEC’s designated observation-platform path.
Terrain & what to see
A firm crushed-stone path with grades. Short distance does not guarantee suitability for every visitor.
A designated waterfall viewpoint; no lower-falls descent is included.
Before hiking
Check parking and current access before driving. Stay on designated paths and behind barriers; never extend the visit toward an unprotected edge for a photograph.
Landscape & trail notes
DEC lists the platform approach at 0.3 mile each way. Doubling it gives 0.6 mile, excluding lower-falls paths and different entrances.
After the hike
Post a photograph as an observation-platform visit instead of implying a different route. If the image lacks GPS, leave its exact location unset until you can identify it confidently.