The Lostkills:Bushwhacking and Hiking the Lesser-Known Catskill Peaks (SUNY Press Excelsior Editions, 2026) introduces readers to a mostly unknown group of Catskill peaks on public land in addition to some lightly used trails.
Alan Via refers to these places as “the Lostkills” as they include off-the-beaten-path hikes, mostly bushwhacks to smaller mountain summits, largely unexplored by the hiking community.
The Lostkills opens with sections about map and compass usage, electronic navigation, and off-trail safety and equipment. Each hike has a rating for difficulty, bushwhack conditions, navigational challenges, views, points of interest, and a topographic map specifically designed for it.
There are suggested routes with alternatives as well as the best time of year or season to hike. All hikes are written from a hiker’s point of view to better prepare for what to expect, from start to summit.
The result is a comprehensive guidebook that allows readers to select the bushwhack or hike that best suits them.
Alan Via is an author, outdoor enthusiast, and experienced hiker. He is the author of Doghiker: Great Hikes with Dogs from the Adirondacks through the Catskills, also by SUNY Press, and The Catskill 67: A Hiker’s Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest Peaks Under 3500′. He lives in the Capital District.
Read more about hiking in New York State.
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