Schoharie County Has Fun for Everyone this Summer!

By Elizabeth Barr

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Hiking in the Summer is not only fun but is great exercise. In Schoharie County you will find great hiking areas like Vroman’s Nose Trail in Middleburgh. It is famous for the breathtaking view of Schoharie Valley. It is a 1.5-mile loop trail and is a 485’ climb, has free parking and is open year-round. Camping is available. You can also have a picnic. The Farmhouse Under the Nose is an AirBnB located at the entrance of the hiking trail and is a fully remodeled farmhouse surrounded by nature's beauty. It is equipped with many modern conveniences. They also have a floral shop on site for all your floral needs. For more information call 518-669-2752.

Mine Kill State Park in North Blenheim has another stunning view of Schoharie Valley and has a 6-mile hiking trail, free parking and is open all year. There is an Olympic size pool, wading pool, and diving pool. They have playgrounds, mountain biking, athletic fields, motorboating, kayaking, water skiing and outdoor games. There is also a picnic area and fishing. For more information call 518-827-6111.

If hiking for a long distance, be prepared with a few essentials. A map, compass, matches in a waterproof container, a flashlight, a whistle and pocket knife or multi-tool, duct tape, sunscreen, bug repellant, some high protein snacks and extra water is a good idea to help keep you safe and make your experience more enjoyable. Always let someone know where you are going. Be realistic about your abilities and skill level. Also, you should check the weather and air quality before going. Happy Hiking!

Underground Adventures are also available in Schoharie County.

The second most visited in the state, only surpassed by Niagara Falls is Howe Caverns in Howes Cave. The Caverns were created millions of years ago during the Devonian Period. The caverns are a cool and constant 52’ year-round. This makes it a great summer retreat to escape the hot days of Summer. You will be descending 156’ beneath the Earth’s surface by elevator and enter into beautiful caverns with various rock formations and a guided boat tour. This will be an unforgettable journey to the depths of the earth. Tours can be paired with an overnight package at the Howe Caverns Motel. For more information call 518-296-8900.

A bit off the beaten path, you will find Secret Caverns also located in Howes Cave. It is another rare and remarkable natural beauty. When going down the 85’ descent, there will be 103 stairs used to enter and exit the caverns. The cave features a 100’ waterfall. It is 50 degrees year-round so a jacket is recommended and good footwear. You will see and be able to touch the fossils, formations, walls and water. Please don't touch the calcite dripping down the walls and covering the rocks. Calcite forms at an incredibly slow rate of one cubic inch per every one hundred years. Your experienced guide will point out a large honeycomb coral, crinoids and all the Brachiopods. For more information, call 518-296-8558 or email secretcavernsrocks@gmail.com.