Catskill Mountains

Mountain range in southeastern New York State, USA, forming part of the Appalachian Mountains west of the Hudson River; drained by headwaters of the Delaware River; the highest peaks are Slide Mountain (1,281 m/4,204 ft) and Hunter Mountain (1,227 m/4,026 ft). The Catskill Mountains have long been a vacation and resort centre for residents of New York City, offering hiking, skiing, hunting and fishing. The valleys, which have been carved out by glaciation, are the chief scenic attractions; much of the mountain area is included in the Catskill Forest Preserve.

The picturesque scenery of the Catskills has attracted such painters as Frederic Church and Thomas Cole, and the mountains are the setting for Rip Van Winkle, one of Washington Irving's most popular tales.