Lake Placid – New York State has just announced (Aug. 26) that the Adirondack Rail Trail has been extended from Saranac Lake to Floodwood Road.
In phase one, this recreational corridor has been open between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. Now the second stage brings the trail closer to completion. It’s final section, from Floodwood Road to Tupper Lake, is now under construction and will be completed in 2025.
The office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that the final leg will include a winter pause in construction during snowmobile season from Dec. 9, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
In all, the former rail line which had its tracks removed in 2021, will measure 34 miles between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake. It will be a haven for outdoor enthusiasts on a year-round basis. If you are a walker, hiker, biker, runner, fisherman, cross country skier, snow shoer or snowmobiler, the routing through this Upstate New York region will be nirvana. If you’re into fat tire bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes, this trail is for you. Your dog is welcomed as well.
The overarching goal of the Adirondack Rail Trail has been to enhance public lands and facilities, and connect residents and visitors with nature and the outdoors. The surface is a very friendly compacted stone dust.
The state’s announcement also said, “The route will provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the unique charm and amenities of each community while providing access to miles of breathtaking trails, numerous campsites, and abundant waterways in the Forest Preserve lands adjacent to the corridor. Along the Rail Trail, interpretive signage will help visitors learn about the history of the railway, cultures of adjacent communities, and surrounding lands and waters.”
The Rail Trail depot in Lake Placid is located on Station Street near the headquarters of the
Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society. Mirror Lake Inn guests will be happy to know that the historical society is just 1.5 miles from the hotel.
From that local jumping off point, trail users can journey in a variety of the aforementioned modes to Ray Brook. Continuing, one can venture to Saranac Lake where the trail crosses Route 86 on the eastern edge of the village.
(Cover image courtesy AdirondackRailTrail.org)
And now, beyond Saranac Lake, it’s on to Floodwood Road before completion in late winter in Tupper Lake.