Close to the Mirror Lake Inn, yet a world away. Check out some of our favorite hikes and enjoy the solitude and serenity of the Adirondack woods.
Visit our Adirondack Guides page for more information.
Notice:
Routes through Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) land are subject to permitting. Permits may be acquired by visiting the AMR Registration Page – This link opens in a new browser tab.
Mirror Lake Inn Favorites (Easy Scenic Walks):
For those who want to enjoy the mountain air on a leisurely stroll
Peninsula Nature Trails
– A winding pleasant 2-mile trail along fairly flat terrain. After a short walk, the trail follows the shores of Lake Placid with beautiful views of Whiteface Mountain. Very convenient to downtown and a perfect length for the whole family!
Trailhead Address
Peninsula Trails, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
*Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 1.5 miles
John Brown’s Farm
– Visit the historic simple farmhouse and grave of the famed abolitionist, John Brown. This site has beautiful, wooded walking trails that loop for miles around the grounds. View the interpretive displays, bring a picnic lunch and sit in the fields with great views of the High Peaks, or stroll through the hiking trails, great for a family of all ages!
Trailhead Address
115 John Brown Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
*Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 3.3 miles
Henry’s Woods
– A well-maintained wide trail through thick, shaded forest. The trail system offers a number of loops with varying flat and hilly sections, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. Cut up one of the side trails and come to clearings with amazing views of Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain.
Trailhead Address
Henry’s Woods, Bear Cub Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 2.3 miles
Heaven Hills
– This community preserve is made up of about a half dozen different trails, which can be combined to form several loops of varying length. The trails are easy to moderate and are perfect for walking, trail running, and biking.
Trailhead Address
Heaven Hill Trails, 64-, 166 Bear Cub Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
*Driving Distance from Mirror Lake Inn- 4.5 miles
High Falls Gorge
– Enjoy the rush of the Ausable River as it rushes through a deep gorge with over 600 feet of cascading waterfalls. The self-guided tour allows you to set the pace along the path, bridges and platforms. Hours vary, Fees apply. For more information visit High Falls Gorge – This link opens in a new browser tab.
Trailhead Address
High Falls Gorge, 4761 NY-86, Wilmington, NY 12997 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
*Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 8.5 miles
Mirror Lake Inn Favorites (Beginner 1 to 4 Mile Hikes):
For those beginners who are seeking a little more of a climb
Cobble Hill
– A great short hike for the whole family that is less than one mile from the Mirror Lake Inn. This hike has two trails; short and steep, or a longer trail that is better for children. Enjoy impressive views of the village, golf course, and the High Peaks.
Trailhead Address
Mt Whitney Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
(Please note there is currently no legal parking at the Cobble Hill trailhead, however the walk from the Mirror Lake Inn to the trailhead makes for a great warm up for the hike)
* Round Trip Distance (from Mirror Lake Inn): 3.2 miles
* Ascent – 460 ft (140 m)
* Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – .8 miles
Mount Baker
– One of the best views of the areas’ lakes and mountains for the amount of effort involved. A moderate incline leads to a partially wooded summit. However, several lookouts give great views of McKenzie Mt. to the East, the High Peaks to the South and many lake chains to the West.
Trailhead Address
Mount Baker Trail, St Armand, NY 12913 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 1.8 miles
* Ascent – 900 ft (274 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 9.25 miles
Mount Jo
– Another rewarding hike with a rocky summit; significantly smaller than those in the high peak region but comparable views! Small but with a steep finish, once at the top your right in the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks. A well-known afternoon hike, definitely worth the climb! Parking fees apply.
Trailhead Address
Adirondack Loj, 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 2.3 miles
* Ascent – 700 ft (213 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 9 miles
Mount Van Hoevenberg (East Trail)
–This is an easy/moderate hike to a magnificent panoramic view of South Meadows and the Great Range. The first mile of the hike is mostly rolling through the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Nordic Trail system. Then there is a moderate climb to the summit ridge, where a series of ledges offer views to the south, southeast and southwest.
Trailhead Address
Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail Parking, Bob Run Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance- 3.6 miles
* Ascent- 948 ft.
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn- 8.1miles
Mirror Lake Inn Favorites (Intermediate 4 to 8 Miles):
For those athletic hikers who are looking to summit an Adirondack Peak
Ampersand Mountain
– The 360-degree view from this bald summit is one of the best in the Adirondacks, featuring the Saranac Lake Chain on one side and the High Peak Wilderness on the other. The path starts at moderate grade through wooded forest and gradually becomes steeper. The final 0.8 miles to the summit are steep but well-maintained.
Trailhead Address
Ampersand Mountain Trailhead, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 5.4 miles
* Ascent – 1775 ft (541 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 17 miles
Haystack Mountain
– Not to be confused with Mount Haystack, which is the 3rd highest peak in New York, Haystack Mountain is a modest-size peak that takes you through birch-filled woods, across a handful of stream crossings and finally to a steep summit pitch. The summit offers views of Whiteface Mt., Marcy Mt. and surrounding lakes.
Trailhead Address
Haystack Mountain Trailhead, NY-86, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 6.6 miles
* Ascent – 1240 ft (378 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 4 miles
Cascade Mountain
– Known as the easiest of the 46 High Peaks and one of the most popular hikes in the Adirondacks, Cascade offers magnificent 360-degree views of Lake Placid and the High Peak Wilderness. The majority of the hike takes you through beautiful wooded forests before opening up onto the exposed rock summit. For an additional 1.4 miles you can add a second 46er to your list with a side trip over to Porter Mountain.
Trailhead Address
Cascade Mountain Trailhead, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 5.8 miles
* Ascent – 1940 ft (592 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 8.8 miles
Phelps Mountain
– The majority of the trail is flat and low-grade ground as you pass through Marcy Dam and up Phelps Brook. The final mile is a moderate and mostly wooded climb that opens up to a rock face summit offering beautiful close-up views of Mount Marcy and the surrounding High Peak Wilderness.
Trailhead Address
Adirondack Loj, 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 8.8 miles
* Ascent – 1982 ft. (604 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 9 miles
Hurricane Mountain
– 360-degree panoramic views with an abandoned fire tower at the Summit. The trail climbs steeply for the first 0.3 miles before leveling out through a series beaver swamps traversed by a network of bridges. The ascent resumes along a new section of trail featuring a series of switchbacks (approximately 2.5 miles) to the summit.
* Round Trip Distance- 5.2 miles
* Ascent- 2,000ft.
* Driving Distance 21 miles, 32 minutes
Mirror Lake Inn Favorites (Advanced 6 to 15 Miles):
For those well-prepared mountaineers who want to tackle one of the high peaks in New York
** These summits are in the “Alpine Zone” be prepared for rapidly changing conditions**
Giant Mountain
– This peak can be distinguished by its prominent rockslide on its western face. The trail has a steady incline and while it is not as steep as some the pitch stays sustained for the duration of the hike. The open rock summit yields some best-unobstructed views of the eastern range of the high peaks and Lake Champlain.
Trailhead Address
Roaring Brook Trailhead, 16 Roaring Brook Trail, Keene Valley, NY 12943 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 7.2 miles
* Ascent – 3375 ft (1029 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 23 miles
Algonquin Peak
– The 2nd highest peak in New York State; this hike is shorter than many while giving you the full experience of Adirondack Alpine hiking. For those looking to make it a full day, take on the full McIntyre range by adding Wright Peak and Iroquois, while you’re up there.
Trailhead Address
Adirondack Loj, 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 8.6 miles
* Ascent – 2936 ft (895 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 9 miles
Whiteface Mountain (Via Connery Pond)
– One of the greatest Ski Mountains in the Northeast, Whiteface is also a very popular destination in the summer. It is the most developed of any Adirondack high peak with the ski center on the east slope, a paved two-lane highway to the top on the north side and a still-functioning weather observatory at the top. The views are remarkable and while you are likely to joined by others at the top, the hike is an experience unto itself.
Trailhead Address
Connery Pond Trailhead, Connery Pond Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 12 miles
* Ascent – 3232 ft. (985 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 3.5 miles
Mount Marcy
– The highest peak in New York reaching 5,344 feet, Marcy has a well-marked trail that is long but has a moderate grade. Plan to make a day of it, and enjoy some of the best views in the Adirondack over a filling lunch and plenty of snacks!
Trailhead Address
Adirondack Loj, 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 14.8 miles
* Ascent – 3166 ft. (965 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 9 miles
Ester Mountain
– Ester is one of the formally “trail-less” 46 high peaks. While this designation no longer exists, it is still an adventure of a climb that takes you through some fun (and difficult) terrain. The trail’s lower section traverses through the now-closed Marble Ski Area, giving you the opportunity to see historic structures from the early part of the 1900s. The last mile traverses through the beautiful and dense sub-alpine Adirondack forest with views of Whiteface Mountain.
Trailhead Address
Marble Mt Ln, Wilmington, NY 12997 – This link opens in a new browser tab.
* Round Trip Distance – 6.4 miles
* Ascent – 2729 ft. (832 m)
* Driving Distance from the Mirror Lake Inn – 15.5 miles
Have fun and enjoy your hike!