1 - 2 Hour Hikes

Don’t end your hike with a parking ticket

To avoid congestion and potentially dangerous situations, parking on the shoulder of Route 73 between Chapel Pond and the Rooster Comb trailhead is off limits. Parking on the shoulder of the road near the Cascade Mountain trailhead is also off limits. Shuttles are available. read more

A trip to the Adirondacks isn't complete without experiencing one of our hiking trails. They're accessible year round, and there are hundreds of miles of paths to explore. Some people flock here for the big mountains but our short hikes are a great place to start, especially if you're new to hiking.

Be prepared

We love our mountains, and you should too! Please help us protect them by enjoying them responsibly. Before heading out, review Leave No Trace principles, make sure you're prepared for the journey ahead, and familiarize yourself with regulations and weather in the mountains.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is a great resource for more outdoor recreation related information.

Short, sweet, and what a view!

Many of our short hikes offer up a great outdoor experience that's complete with a beautiful view — check out the top of Cobble, and you'll be amazed that you're still right in the village of Lake Placid! There are a variety of walking and easy hiking options for you and your family to enjoy in the Lake Placid Region — find your favorite and make some great family memories!

So get out there and stretch your legs, get in touch with nature, explore something new and go home saying you hiked in the Adirondacks.

If you're looking for hikes and mountains that are a little more challenging, check out some of the 2 to 4 hour hikes that the Adirondacks are known for.

Want something longer?

It's the perfect day — lunch on a mountain followed by a satisfying dinner in town. The best thing about half-day hikes is finding yourself someplace scenic with plenty of time to enjoy the view before the sun sets.

Learn more

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Little Cherrypatch Pond

State Route 86Lake Placid, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Route Overview At the back of the parking area there is a herd path that leads to the shore of the pond. The path is easy enough to follow but not marked. There is minimal elevation change as you hike the roughly quarter mile. Trailhead From...

Blueberry Cobbles

Route 9, Elizabethtown

(518) 523-2445

This aptly-named mountain is the first summit on the East Trail to Rocky Peak and Giant at 1.9 miles from Rt. 9. Berries in season? The best ones are beyond the first lookout (1.9 miles) on the summit ledges at 2.2 miles. This hike is good for the...

Cobble Hill

Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Cobble Hill is right off the shore of Mirror Lake, so close that it often draws the eye to the bald spot on its face. This is a great hike for everyone and with two options for ascent it has a spectacular loop hike opportunity. The summit offers...

Cascade Falls

Route 73, Keene

(518) 523-2445

Cascade Falls is the site of the #7 slide on Cascade Mountain. For a great many years only a small scar marked the gully on Cascade Mountain until Hurricane Irene came through and opened up the slide track to look like a #7, whose tail proceeds all...

Penfield Pond Trail

6482 Main StreetPOB 193, Westport

(518) 962-2287

(1 mi RT, easy) Trailhead on Old Ironville Rd, 0.2 mi east of Penfield Museum. Cross creek, follow trail into woods, climbs hill above brook, goes along east shore of Penfield Pond.

Roaring Brook Falls

Route 73, Keene Valley

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Keep the river to the right and you will arrive at the base of Roaring Brook Falls. Slides from 1963 widened this site to the spectacular look it has today. Roaring Brook Falls Trailhead: Route 73, 3.3 miles South of the High Peaks sign in...

Severance Hill

Rte 9, Schroon Lake

(518) 523-2445

Also known as Mount Severance because it's a great bunch of views for relatively low effort. This 2.4 mile round trip hike offers views of Schroon Lake and Pharaoh Mountain for relatively little effort. Most hikers can complete this route in an hour....

South Meadow

Meadow Lane, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking You may think of South Meadow is simply as a place to park your car when hiking into the High Peaks Region, but it's so much more than that. It's a birding destination, a wildflower hunting ground, and an amazing scenic opportunity. The trail...

The Wild Center

45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake

(518) 359-7800

Three years running, The Wild Center was named the People's Choice top attraction in the Adirondacks by the readers of Adirondack Life. To top it all off, The Wild Center's Wild Walk, a trail across the treetops, has opened to rave reviews. It's all...

Round Pond - Saint Huberts

Route 73, Keene Valley

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Round Pond is an excellent destination for the entire family. This can be done as a short hike destination, fishing destination or a family camp outing. The pond is a very attractive objective with the mountains soaring above on many sides...

Belfry Mountain Trail

Dalton Hill Rd, Port Henry

(518) 962-2287

How to get there From the intersection of Route 22/9N and county Route 4 in Port Henry, follow Route 4 to Route 70. Follow county Route 70 to the crossroads with Tracy Road and Dalton Hill Road. Follow Dalton Hill Road straight through the...

Balanced Rocks

Route 73, Lake Placid

(518) 523-2445

Hiking Note: The parking area for Pitchoff often fills quickly, especially in the summer. Consider choosing a less popular, and less crowded, trail. The Balanced Rocks are located 1.6 miles up the trail to Pitchoff Mountain. The 2.7-mile long Pitchoff...