Fun trails through big mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are famous for skiing and hiking, but they're becoming known for awesome mountain bike trails, too. We take mountain sports seriously, so we’ve been working hard on creating and expanding top-notch mountain bike trails near Lake Placid that are suitable and immensely fun for beginner and expert riders alike.
Trail systems galore
Experienced riders, or anyone looking for more variety, should either head to the Lussi and Logger Trails or the Craig Wood Trails. The former is accessible from town and has the highest concentration of single track in the area, while part of the latter is built on the side of an old ski hill.
No bike? No problem! You can rent everything you need from one of our local gear shops. And be sure to ask staff there about trail conditions before heading out!
While you’re in town, don’t forget to check out the Wilmington Mountain Bike Fest, held every summer. 2022 dates are due to be announced, so be sure to keep an eye on our events page!
Insider tip: There are a lot of group rides and happenings in the Lake Placid region. Check with a local gear shop to learn more. The Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) website is also a great source of info on all things mountain biking. Check it out!
Beginners always welcome
Anyone looking to give mountain biking a try should head to the Henry’s Woods and Heaven Hill trail systems. Located right around the corner from each other, these trails offer a stupendous amount of variety along mostly easy terrain.
If you're looking for a good-sized trail system and one where you can rent bikes, check out the trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. It's a great spot for first-time and beginner riders, it's super pretty, and has great amenities, including a shop, food, and bathrooms. Mt. Van Hoevenberg was developed as an outdoor destination for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games and it remains a popular spot for visitors and locals. With friendly staff on hand to answer questions and give tips, plus an excellent variety of trails, it's ideal for the whole family.
More trails, more fun
The mountain biking community in the Adirondacks is welcoming, friendly, and always caring for and developing trails for everyone's enjoyment. A big part of the community is the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA), which builds, maintains, and advocates for a system of community and backcountry trails for ski touring and mountain biking in the greater High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park. BETA hosts regular trail work days and fun riding events. Even if you're not a local, you're welcome to join.
Two of the mtb networks in Lake Placid — Lussi Trails and Craig — are maintained by BETA's great team of local ADK riders.
In an area as big as the Adirondacks, there are sure to be a number of great spots for mountain biking. Explore beyond Lake Placid to the awesome, varied trails in Whiteface Region and around Lake Champlain. Whiteface's Hardy Road trails are local favorites, while the Lake Champlain Region's Blueberry Hill Trails are fantastic for biking year-round.
Insider tips
- Need gear? No problem! Whether you're in the market for new accessories or simply want to rent a bike, Lake Placid's bike shops have what you need, and more.
- Get involved! Whether you want to join a fun race day or help out on the trails, the staff and volunteers at BETA love to make new friends.
- Save the date for a special ride. The annual Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival is full of great rides on a wide array of trails, live music, pro clinics, and so much more.
Responsible riding
Follow these tips, tricks, and rules for a safe and enjoyable experience!
- Avoid muddy trails
If your tires are sinking into the mud and leaving ruts, the trail is too muddy to ride on. - Follow Leave No Trace principles
The seven Leave No Trace principles apply to all outdoor recreation, including mountain biking. Get to know them before your next adventure! See the link below for more details. - Only ride on designated mountain biking trails
There are several designations for public land in the Adirondacks, and each dictates what can and can't be done there. To avoid any hassles, and to spend more time on the trail than online doing research, a good rule of thumb is to stick to trails that were designed with mountain biking in mind. Visit BETA's website or speak to staff at local gear shops to learn more. - Ride under control
Adirondack mountain biking trails are also used by hikers. Have fun, but do it in a way that’s not a danger to yourself or others. - Plan ahead and set out prepared
Get information, buy maps, and know where you’re going before setting out. You can check trail conditions through Trail Forks and at local gear shops. - Respect the animals
Quite simply, if you see wildlife don’t harass it.
Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK
The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.
