Panther Mountain — Catskill 3500

What to bring

Day-hike essentials for this trail. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →

What to Expect on the Trail

Panther Mountain sits behind Giant Ledge on the same ridgeline, connected by a 1.5-mile trail that adds meaningful difficulty and a Catskill 3500 peak to the Giant Ledge hike. Most hikers reach Panther as an extension rather than a standalone destination — the trailhead is the same, and the first 1.6 miles to Giant Ledge serves as the approach.

Beyond Giant Ledge, the trail drops into a saddle and climbs to Panther through increasingly boreal forest. The terrain has scramble sections that require more effort than the Giant Ledge approach, with steeper pitches and rougher footing. In winter, these sections ice over and become the most technical part of the hike.

The summit itself is a wooded flat with no open views — a common letdown for hikers who expected a summit panorama. The fix: continue just past the summit marker to the “mountain view” overlook, where a clearing provides a worthwhile payoff that most hikers miss entirely. This tip alone separates informed hikers from disappointed ones on Panther.

How Hard Is This Trail, Really?

Giant Ledge alone is moderate. Adding Panther pushes the day into genuinely challenging territory. The additional 3 miles and the scramble sections between the peaks add enough difficulty and time to change the character of the hike. In winter, icy steep slabs between the peaks are described as “easy to go up, terrifying to come down.” Post-holing risk in deep snow can sink hikers knee-deep or deeper even on packed trails.

Budget 3.5 to 5.5 hours for the full round trip to Panther and back. Most groups finish in 4 to 5 hours. The hike to Giant Ledge takes about 1 hour; the extension to Panther adds 2 to 3 hours depending on conditions and pace.

Best Time to Go

Same as Giant Ledge — clear weekday mornings or early dawn starts in any season. Fall foliage from Giant Ledge’s outcrops (seen on the return from Panther) is the highlight. Parking fills by 11 AM on weekends. Late afternoon starts after 3:30 PM see significantly fewer people.

Before You Go

Same trailhead as Giant Ledge on Slide Mountain Road (County Route 47). $10 parking fee. No restrooms. Limited parking. In winter, start with microspikes from the trailhead and carry snowshoes — conditions often require both at different elevations. Bring extra water for the extended distance. Dogs are allowed but the scramble sections between Giant Ledge and Panther are difficult for dogs in icy conditions.

Gear for this hike

Our day-hike checklist — the picks that show up again and again from tested gear roundups. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacketdurable, trail + everydayCheck price on Amazon →Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweightlifetime warrantyCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Polescork grip, lightweightCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Squeeze Water Filterultralight, standard threadsCheck price on Amazon →Sawyer Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent Spraytreat clothing; kills ticksCheck price on Amazon →Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve HoodyUPF 50, hood + thumb holesCheck price on Amazon →