Overcliff Carriage Road to Old Minnewaska Trail to Shongum Path Loop

This route initially climbs to near the top of the Trapps (steep cliffs). which you parallel on the Overcliff Carriage Road, along which there are views of cliffs and also the Catskill Mountains. You descend to the Laurel Ledge Carriage Road, and then turn onto the Old Minnewaska Trail, with some more views along the initial part of a descent toward Split Rock on Coxing Kill. Shortly before reaching Split Rock, you turn left onto the Shongum Path to regain your altitude. From the Mohonk Preserve's West Trapps parking area, take the West Trapps Connector (yellow), climbing somewhat steeply to its end at the Overcliff Carriage Road, onto which you turn left, beginning a mild ascent. Shortly after the summit (at about 1.5 miles), you begin a gradual descent which has a couple of points with great views of the Catskill Mountains. After about 2.5 miles, you will reach a complicated intersection at what is called Rhododendron Bridge. Turn left just before the bridge onto Laurel Ledge Carriage Road. At about 2.8 miles, turn left again onto the Old Minnewaska Trail (blue). Along the initial part of this trail, you will get a couple more views of the Catskill Mountains as the trail generally makes a moderate descent, with a ford of an unnamed stream which can be a bit interesting in times of high water. At about 4.9 miles, just before Old Minnewaska Trail reaches Split Rock (where, in season, you can go wading in the Coxing Kill), turn left onto the Shongum Path (red), beginning a (sometimes moderately steep) ascent. At the other end of the Shongum Path, turn right onto the West Trapps Connector to return to your starting point.