Lake Placid – Make no mistake about it – hiking is the number one activity in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York. And why wouldn’t it be? There are about 2,000 miles of trails in our region, akin to skiing some of the massive interconnects in Europe. In our immediate locale, we boast 46 Adirondack peaks.
Immerse yourself in this heart-healthy activity in September and October as we merge the best hiking trails near Lake Placid with the most colorful time of the year.
Among the experts, FemaleHiker.com got it right: “One of the best parts of hiking in the East Coast is the crazy red, yellow, and orange colors of the leaves. It’s truly stunning and hard to describe how beautiful it is unless you see it in person.”
So let’s get underway.
If you’re pressed for time, use Mirror Lake as a nice flat, paved hike or walk. It literally starts at the front door of our hotel. Negotiate the 2.7 miles at your own pace, going in either direction. You will enter our Main Street business district and can window shop while you get your exercise. There are scores of shops, restaurants and watering holes to distract you.
Cobble Hill is recognized as an excellent beginner hike. From the Mirror Lake Inn, it’s just a short drive around the lake to the trailhead. The trip to the summit is short and steep, measuring about 8/10ths of a mile each way. Bring food, beverage and binoculars and enjoy it up there.
The Mount Jo Trail is perfect for families and hiking newbies as it is not very demanding. The journey is about 3.5 miles round trip.
If you’re ready for something more, Female Hiker recommends Wright Peak and Algonquin Peak through Algonquin Trail. This will be a more challenging day so make sure to get ample rest and nourishment the night before you embark. And it’s worth repeating – food and water are a must as are comfortable, functional hiking shoes.
The most rigorous of them all is Mount Marcy. This is the state’s highest peak and makes for a demanding 16.7-mile hike. When you achieve the summit at 5,343 feet, the views will be unparalleled. You will have worked mightily so enjoy it as this adventure will have you climbing 3,170 vertical feet. In layman’s terms, that’s over 30 stories.
Before we close, several final points:
Dogs enjoy hiking, but they must be on a leash, and please pack food and drink for two and four-legged hikers as well as doggie bags if the pups are going to join you.
With so much hiking within our grasp, this blog just gets us started. Here are some additional websites that can act as reference material for you.
https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/best-hikes-in-the-adirondacks/
https://visitadirondacks.com/recreation/hiking/top-scenic-hikes
https://rootsrated.com/stories/the-10-best-day-hikes-in-the-adirondack-high-peaks