By Megan Eileen McDonough

When it comes to outdoor adventure, Lake Placid packs a serious punch. Home to some of New York’s tallest mountains, the Adirondacks, Lake Placid is a dream destination for nature lovers and photographers alike. From tranquil Mirror Lake to jaw-dropping Mount Marcy, here are five of Lake Placid’s best year-round viewpoints. 

Mirror Lake

Not quite sure if you're hiking material? Start off with something easy. Mirror Lake is the perfect place to try out your walking shoes. A relatively flat walk, you'll find visitors of all ages and abilities enjoying the views and taking advantage of this accessible path. You might also hear people refer to it as "the fitness trail,” since it’s mostly trafficked by walkers and joggers rather than hikers. Stretching 2.7 miles of paved sidewalk around the lake, it takes roughly 45 minutes to wind up back at the public beach. Along the way you'll pass both lush landscape and picture-perfect homes and storefronts. 

Mount Jo

For travelers on a time crunch, opt for Mount Jo, a 2,876-foot mountain located in the heart of the Adirondacks. The short but steep hike totals about 2.6 miles round trip and takes about two hours to complete depending on your pace. Killer views of the High Peaks including Cascade Mountain and Algonquin Peak await you at the top. Both family-friendly and dog-friendly, this is another easy trek that is well worth the climb. Two different trails lead to the summit, so take your pick. 

Whiteface Mountain

Ranking as New York's fifth-highest mountain, Whiteface Mountain is a must for any intrepid traveler. It also played host to the alpine ski events in the 1980 Winter Olympics. From the summit you'll have 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, and on clear days you’ll be able to spot Vermont and maybe even Montreal if you’re lucky. While definitely a hit with the skiers and snowboarders of the world (don’t forget to ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola), Whiteface is just as picture perfect in the summer. 

Giant Mountain

Giant Mountain is exactly what its name suggests. Towering over Keene Valley, it’s one of the Adirondacks’ best-kept secrets (well, for newcomers, anyway). The primary trail leading to the summit is 6 miles round-trip compared to 7.2 miles for the secondary. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with views of Eastern High Peaks. Both have steep terrain, so newbie hikers should plan extra time to reach the top. Roaring Brook Falls has unbeatable views but make sure to wear shoes with a grip, as the rocks can be slippery.

Mount Marcy

We’ve saved the best for last! Claiming the top slot in New York’s tallest mountains is Mount Marcy. Despite its size and scope, the hike itself isn’t super challenging, but the trail does weave through various terrain. There are technically four trails leading to the summit, with the most foot traffic on the primary one. This will be a long day, so come prepared and stay hydrated. From the top you'll see expansive views of the northeast. Fun fact: there are areas of endangered alpine vegetation here. Watch where you step!

Invent your own perfect day. Check out Lake Placid's website for all the info you need to plan your Adirondack adventure.