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Highway 44/55: Shawangunk Ridge, Shawangunks, New York
Photo: The original uploader was Daniel Case at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives New York The Hudson Valley and the Catskills

Highway 44/55: Shawangunk Ridge

US 44, NY 55 · Gardiner → Kerhonkson

Sweeping14 mi20 min1,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,400 ftOne way
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The drive

US 44 and Highway 55 run together over the Shawangunk Ridge. This drive goes west from Gardiner and climbs to a hairpin turn near the Mohonk Preserve, under the Trapps cliffs, with views over the valley and of the Catskills.

The road crosses the ridge past Minnewaska State Park Preserve, where several entrances line the road, and descends the western side through Wawarsing to Kerhonkson and US 209.

It takes about 20 minutes. The hairpin is the one twisty stretch.

Along the way

  1. Gardiner
  2. The Trapps
  3. Kerhonkson (US 209)
Elevation
1,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,400 ft
GardinerKerhonkson
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
GardinerKerhonkson
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Climbers' cars and walkers crowd the Trapps area on weekends.
  • Minnewaska charges a per-vehicle entry fee, and its parking lots fill on good-weather days.
  • Do not park on the road shoulders.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check 511NY traffic and travel information.

Questions about this drive

How long is Highway 44/55 over the Shawangunk Ridge?

The drive from Gardiner to Kerhonkson is 14.0 miles and takes about 20 minutes.

Is there a fee to drive Highway 44/55?

The drive is free, but Minnewaska State Park Preserve charges a per-vehicle fee for entry.

What is the hairpin on Highway 44/55?

It is a sharp turn near the Trapps cliffs by the Mohonk Preserve in Gardiner.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 44/55: Shawangunk Ridge, from Gardiner to Kerhonkson