Round Mountain

  • Route 73, Keene Valley
  • info@lakeplacid.com

Hike Features

Summit

Round Mountain is a seldom visited gem in comparison to other local peaks in the area. With a somewhat aggressive climb to its bald summit, you won’t be short for adventure or exhilarating views.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

This hike is accessed through a conservation easement with the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). A parking reservation is needed from May 1 - October 31. Although it is called a “parking reservation,” everyone will need a reservation to access hikes leaving from AMR, whether you drove yourself, rode a bike, got dropped-off, or walked. These reservations can be made online via the AMR website. For more information, please read these FAQs or contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Getting there

From the intersection of Route 86 and Route 73 in Lake Placid, follow Route 73 toward Keene. Continue through Keene and Keene Valley and proceed to Saint Huberts. Locate the trailhead for Giant Mountain and Roaring Brook Falls on the left. The parking for Round Mountain at the AMR is directly across the road.

By the numbers

  • Elevation: 3,070 feet
  • Elevation gain: 1,820 feet
  • Milage: 5 miles, round trip

Hiking

If you have the extra in you, use the two trails below as a one-car loop option.

From the parking lot, continue to walk up the dirt road for a few hundred feet to the trail for Round Mountain on the left. The trail starts out climbing almost right off and delivers you to a high plateau where there are excellent views out over the Beer Walls. From here the trail continue to be moderate but soon climbs more aggressively as it approaches the open rock summit. The top of this mountain is spotted with open rock overlooks and continuing mountain vistas.

The alternative trail starts at the same location, making a loop possible. From the parking lot continue to walk up the dirt road for around 0.25 miles to the trailhead for Noonmark Mountain, which is also a private driveway. Follow the drive to the foot trail which diverges to the right 0.2 mi. from the road just before reaching a large barn. From this point the trail is moderate as it follows an old woods road. At about 1.5 miles from the trailhead you will come to the Round Mountain Trail on the left. This trail intersection can be easily missed if one isn’t paying close attention. From here the climb begins to be a bit more serious. The terrain steepens as you ascend and eventually you will come to more open rock scrambling. This is a lead in to the summit views and rocky outcropping found on the summit area.

Snowshoeing

This makes for a challenging snowshoe with steep patches and rock scrambling.