Length: 12.9 miles

Elevation change: 916 feet

Nearby Towns: West Shokan

Begin and End: At Lester S. Davis Park in West Shokan

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Through the Ashokan Valley

“The sun is sinking low in the sky above Ashokan
The pines and the willows know soon we will part
There’s a whisper in the wind of promises unspoken
And a love that will always remain in my heart”

— Ashokan Farewell lyrics

Meandering High Point Mountain Road weaves through the mountain village of Ashokan, with the Catskill Mountains as a backdrop.

The roads through the Ashokan mountain-rural towns unfold along pastoral foothills, then furrow into the forests, working their magic. They captivate. Especially in autumn, when the light slants through the golden leaves even at midday, we’re drawn here — a little further than usual, a little off the map — with our electric bikes. A couple pet sheep at one corner. A bavarian-looking rustic cabin on a hilltop.

Climbing High Point Mountain Road is your first and only challenge of this picturesque loop. For the rest, it’s a seemingly endless downhill — your electric (or pedal-assist) bike will flatten out the gentle uphills once you get going.

Riders taking High Point Mountain Road can enjoy expansive views over the reservoir, especially in leafless winter. But the other country roads that make up this loop do not disappoint, with surprises along every bend.

The route is mostly paved, with a brief but enjoyable lumpy, unpaved segment through the forest at Cross Road.

Two stops are highly recommended: the first is at the Ashokan Promenade, where you can pedal out atop the dam, eat a packed lunch and soak in the vista to the distant peaks. You can’t miss it; it’s right after you turn left off Route 213 onto 23A.

I’m all about supporting local cafes after a ride, and Marty’s Merchantile is just about at the end of the loop, so it’s a perfect place to stop in for a post-ride brew and a sandwich (and I strongly recommend Bob’s Chicken Sandwich!). They’ve set up the back garden for outdoor dining, and there couldn’t be a prettier end to this ride.

And one note about this route: 28A is a state route, the center yellow line worn down to invisibility in spots. Ride this road on an autumn weekend and you’ll see plenty of cars alongside you. We did the route recently, at the height of autumn glory and mountain tourism popularity, and while the cars were plentiful, we had no problem with the traffic. It’s a 35-mile-an-hour road, and the cars will give you plenty of elbow room.

These notes are descriptive only. You should always use the RideWithGPS app and/or download the turn-by-turn directions (provided above) for precise navigation.

Ashokan: The Details:

Elevation change: 916 feet up and down over the whole ride. No problem for an electric bicycle.

Direction: For best results, leave your car at the park, turn left onto Watson Hollow Road, and follow the loop in a counter-clockwise direction.

Start and end: at Lester S. Davis Park, on Watson Hollow Road in West Shokan, New York. Along with plenty of parking, you’ll find comfortable and clean public restrooms here.

Afterwards:

We’ve mentioned Marty’s Merchantile as a favorite lunch-slash-after-ride-beverage stop. But if you’re not done with the Catskills yet, there are a couple scenic trips you could do after your West Shokan ride.

Take a ride out to the little town of Phoenicia, about a half hour’s drive north on Route 28. After a stop at the Catskills Visitor Center, aim for the beer garden at Woodstock Brewing where tacos and sandwich plates are the specialty. Or, keep going into Phoenicia. The scenery alone is worth the drive.

Or, if you prefer to stay in the wooded solitude of the mountains, turn left out of the park and keep going on Watson Hollow Road. This soon turns to an unpaved but well-travelled woods road leading to the famed Peekamoose Blue Hole, Instagram darling of the Catskills best visited when swimming hole season is over.