Hunter: Trails and Culture

Hunter highlights include a rail trail connected to Camp Jened, the Fire Tower hike, and cultural attractions in the Town of Hunter. The Hunter Branch Rail Trail crosses the site of the former Camp Jened; another hike runs from the Hunter Mountain Sky Ride to the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower. The Piano Performance Museum and the Doctorow Center for the Arts are also in the Town of Hunter.

Trails and Routes in Hunter

The Hunter Branch Rail Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back route. It connects Clove Road at State Route 214 with Dolan’s Lake in the Village of Hunter and runs directly across the site of the former Camp Jened. Along the way, Luke’s Bridge crosses a tributary of Schoharie Creek. The pedestrian bridge is 90 feet long.

A separate route description applies to the hike from the Hunter Mountain Sky Ride to the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower: it is 4.2 miles long and rated moderate. At 1.4 miles, the rail trail is shorter than the 4.2-mile Fire Tower hike; it is an out-and-back route to Dolan’s Lake, while the hike starts at the Sky Ride and is rated moderate. If you’re planning this hike, check the chairlift’s current operating hours separately.

Rail-Trail History

The trail names also point to different historical dates. The Hunter Branch Rail Trail was the northern terminus of the Hunter Branch of the Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Railroad; the railroad was discontinued in 1939. The Kaaterskill Rail Trail officially opened in June 2013 on National Trails Day.

Museum, Cinema, and Stage

The Piano Performance Museum focuses on historic European pianos and American pianos from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum offers year-round group tours by appointment on weekdays and weekends. Tours are led by guides or professional concert artists; those led by artists include short concerts on the historic instruments. So it’s important to arrange your visit in advance. Check current arrangements before you travel, too.

The Doctorow Center for the Arts houses two offerings with different programs. Mountain Cinema is a three-screen movie theater that shows current Hollywood and independent films weekly throughout the year. For specific showtimes, check the current listings. The Evelyn Weisberg Concert Hall has 150 seats and is a venue for chamber music, folk and pop music, puppet theater, and theater. Mountain Cinema hosts film screenings, while the Concert Hall is used for music, puppet theater, and theater.

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Go to the main travel overview: Greene.