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.

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Silver Lake Mountain

Silver Lake Rd11 mi. west of Ausable Forks, Westville

(518) 946-2255

Hiking Silver Lake Mountain is a great "bang for your buck" destination. This short trail is perfect for the entire family and offers some outstanding views out over Taylor Pond, Union Falls Pond, Silver Lake, Catamount and Whiteface Mountain's...

Cobble Lookout

WilmingtonCounty Rt. 72, Wilmington

(518) 523-2445

Constructed in the fall of 2014, this new trail is sure to become very popular because it is only one mile with little climbing to a spectacular view of the Ausable Valley and the surrounding mountains. This hike is definitely in the running for the...

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...

Echo Lake

Mount Whitney RoadLake Placid, Lake Placid

(518) 523-3441

From the parking area, follow the trail and turn left on the Long Trail. You will descend back down along an old road and eventually reach a foot trail to the south shore of Echo Lake. The lake is quite small, and the best views are at the far end. At...

LaChute River Walk

Ticonderoga

(518) 585-6366

Hiking LaChute River Walk Trailhead: Ticonderoga Heritage Museum - 4 miles RT, Easy Walk Nature and Historic Walks Take a lovely loop around Bicentennial Park with many interpretive signboards to learn about history and nature. Time in hours: Family...

A wonderful spot for paddling which offers great sunsets.

Debar Pond

Debar Pond Road, Paul Smiths

(518) 523-2445

The portage is relatively flat with one following a corduroy walkway. The trail has a tendency to be a bit wet. Debar Pond is a long and narrow glacial lake with seemingly cool water all year. Sheltered by Debar and Baldface Mountain it has calm...

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.

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...

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...

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...

Henry's Woods

Bear Cub Lane, Lake Placid

(518) 523-3061

Henry's Woods, which is owned and maintained by the Uihlein Foundation, is a community preserve located just outside the village of Lake Placid. The caretakers of this beautiful property and the Uihlein Foundation invite the public to use these trails...

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....