The Tanbark Trail in the Catskills hamlet of Phoenicia offers a moderately challenging 2.1-mile route, with views from both Phoenicia Overlook and Grand View Ledge. Both wonderful viewpoints overlook the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible.

The woods and mountains surrounding Phoenicia were once home to two prominent industries, including the quarrying of local bluestone and the tanning of leather utilizing the abundant hemlock trees in the area. The Tanbark Trail follows some of the old roads that were constructed for these industries.

Grand View Ledge, AutumnGrand View Ledge, and the nearby Phoenicia Overlook, provides a wonderful mountain view overlooking the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible. This is one of the best places I know of where you can see and feel the symbiotic relationship between man and nature that so epitomizes the Catskills.

Grand View LedgeGrand View Ledge, and the nearby Phoenicia Overlook, provides a wonderful mountain view overlooking the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible. This is one of the best places I know of where you can see and feel the symbiotic relationship between man and nature that so epitomizes the Catskills.

Grand view Overlook, Phoenicia, NYGrand View Ledge, and the nearby Phoenicia Overlook, provides a wonderful mountain view overlooking the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible. This is one of the best places I know of where you can see and feel the symbiotic relationship between man and nature that so epitomizes the Catskills.

Phoenicia OverlookThe Phoenicia Overlook, at an elevation of 1,145 feet, provides a wonderful mountain view overlooking the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible. This is one of the best places I know of where you can see and feel the symbiotic relationship between man and nature that so epitomizes the Catskills.

Phoenicia, From AboveThe Phoenicia Overlook, at an elevation of 1,145 feet, provides a wonderful mountain view overlooking the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible. This is one of the best places I know of where you can see and feel the symbiotic relationship between man and nature that so epitomizes the Catskills.

Shrine to the Bluestone GodsThe Tanbark Trail in the Catskills hamlet of Phoenicia offers a moderately challenging 2.1-mile route, with views from both Phoenicia Overlook and Grand View Ledge. Both wonderful viewpoints overlook the hamlet of Phoenicia, surrounded by the idyllic Esopus Valley landscape of Mount Pleasant (2,900 feet), Romer Mountain (2,160 feet), and Panther Mountain (3,730 feet, the 17th highest mountain in the Catskills). Route 28, Route 214 and the south ridge of Sheridan Mountain are all visible.

The woods and mountains surrounding Phoenicia were once home to two prominent industries, including the quarrying of local bluestone and the tanning of leather utilizing the abundant hemlock trees in the area. The Tanbark Trail follows some of the old roads that were constructed for these industries. This quirky Shrine to the Bluestone Gods can be found along the Tanbark Trail.