The tower is only open to the public when a volunteer steward is on site. It will be open weekends and holidays from late spring through early October, from approximately 10am until 4pm, as weather conditions allow.
It will be open on an ad hoc basis dependent on weather and volunteer availability until then. Follow us on social media to learn about ad hoc opening dates.
The Bramley Mountain Trail is one of the most popular hiking options in the western Catskills. It was designed and built by the Catskill Mountain Club, in partnership with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Located on a NYCDEP parcel in the Towns of Delhi and Bovina, it totals about 4 miles in length. The complete loop visits the 2817’ summit with its newly returned fire tower, a beautiful abandoned bluestone quarry, and the impressive cliffs and caves that lie between.
The hike to the quarry is on a woods road with little elevation gain, making an easy hike of about .9 miles. After the quarry, the trail continues as a foot path designed to gradually ascend about 1.2 miles through mixed hardwoods while passing stone walls and many impressive rock outcroppings and cliffs, some with caves. The Summit Trail, a 1.8 mile long direct hike to the top, with its views to the west and to the southern high peaks, Mount Pisgah and the mountains of the western Pepacton Range* that are traversed by the Finger Lakes Trail, has some steep pitches alternating with long gentle climbs. We suggest hiking the Quarry Trail to the top and descending on the Summit Trail to get the best views of all the sights this trail has to offer.
The trailhead is located on Glen Bernie Road in Delhi, seven tenths of a mile from the intersection with County Rt 18, or 3.3 miles from the intersection with State Rt. 28.
GPS coordinates for trailhead: 42.2993, -74.8360
Google Map directions to the trailhead can be found here.
You can download a free GPS enabled map from the free GPS Avenza app. Visit your app store to find Avenza and then search for Catskill Mountain Club Trails Map Bundle in the Avenza store. You must be connected to the internet to acquire the App and the maps, but once you have downloaded maps to your device, there is no need for an internet or cell phone signal. Learn more about the Avenza app and CMC trails maps here.
