I forget how many times I’ve hiked the Labyrinth Trail in Mohonk Preserve, but it’s enough to write this guide on what to expect when you do it. It’s one of my favorite trails that I’ve found outside the NYC area, but it also requires you to know a few things before you do it too and that’s what I’ll be explaining in detail today.
Info:
- Name: Labyrinth trail
- Location: Mohonk Preserve
- Distance from NYC: 2 hours
- Length: 1 mile (technically 2.5 miles one way and I’ll explain why)
- Difficulty: Moderate-hard
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Getting there:
The Labyrinth Trail is located deep in Mohonk Preserve. In order to hike it, you have to:
- Get to the Mohonk Mountain House Gate ($32 per person, reserve online)
- Hike 1.5 miles to reach Mohonk Mountain House
- The trailhead to the Labyrinth hike will be located by the house
Trail details:
- Once you enter the Labyrinth, you’ll be “greeted” with a bunch of rock scrambling, ladder walks, caving and crawling experiences in some cases. You’ll want to follow the red arrows which are quite easy to spot along the trail.
- Once the rock scrambling is done, the hike will continue on a much more classic type hike, along giant boulders. There will be a lot of hopping and using all fours to do it (very fun).
- The last stage of the Labyrinth trail involves climbing up a long ladder through a tight slot canyon known as the Lemon Squeezer. That is a place that I would recommend for anyone who is claustrophobic or perhaps a bit big to get through there as getting stuck is common (and not fun).
- Once you pass through the Lemon Squeezer and exit out the top, you’ll see an amazing view of Mohonk Preserve, then walk towards the Skytop Tower nearby, then hike back down to the Mohonk Mountain house to finish up (don’t forget the extra 1.5 mile hike back to the parking lot).
Overall with every add on trail you’ll need to take there and back, plus the Labyrinth trail itself, you’re looking at around a 5 mile hike in total with an elevation gain of about 700 feet. Here’s a few photos (including a map) to help you understand all of this:
When to go:
Aside from Winter when the trail is closed, you’ll be able to hike this place during the other 3 seasons. But there are advantages to going there during certain periods and here’s what you need to know:
Spring through fall offers the most pleasant weather for hiking the Labyrinth Trail. However, if you’re looking for a quieter, serene experience, weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends and that includes during the above seasons.
If you visit between these seasons, you really can’t go wrong. If you prefer fall colors, then go during autumn. If you like warm weather and potentially engaging in other fun activities (including swimming) after, visit during spring or summer.
Tips:
- Wear good hiking gear, especially shoes. There’s many slippery parts on the Labyrinth trail that require good footwear to get through.
- Do this hike slowly and enjoy it because it will require careful scrambling and climbing in parts, even though you will have numerous ladders and assistance throughout.
- Besides this trail, enjoy the hike from the gatehouse and back as well. It’s very tranquil and there’s even a “shortcut” called the Fox Trail you can get a map of when you are on the path to the Labyrinth trailhead.
Post hike things to do:
Completing the Labyrinth Trail is an achievement worth celebrating. Once you’ve conquered the twists, turns, and the iconic Lemon Squeeze, you’ll likely be in need of some well deserved rest and refreshment. The areas surrounding the Mohonk Preserve offer plenty of delightful options to unwind and the best place to go would be the Mohonk Mountain House itself.
If for whatever reason that doesn’t work out, just visit the town of New Paltz after for some awesome restaurant and lodging options.
If you still have leftover energy to explore more spots, I’d highly recommend you take a visit to the Coxing Hill Trailhead that’s about 20 minutes away. There you’ll find an awesome swimming hole, picnic area and another awesome hike called the Lost City Loop which I personally love just as much as the Labyrinth trail. It’s 2-3 miles long but doesn’t involve any crazy scrambles like the Labyrinth.
There is also another hike in the area called Bonticou Crag that you can also do, but it’s a 3-6 mile trail that requires a bit of time (and a $15 parking fee) to enter. But that one does feature awesome climbs as well.
And finally, adding in a visit to Lake Minnewaska State Park would really solidify your trip to this place. If you go there, do the Gertrude’s Nose trail (the top rated on in the park).
If you’re doing a multiday trip to this area, that’s when I’d consider doing all of these things but if you can get the Labyrinth hike and one or more of the above extra activities done, then you’ve really got yourself a fun filled day.