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One foot in front of the other

Saranac Lake is a hub for hikers, and summer is a fantastic time to get outside and enjoy the trails! Hiking is a favorite activity in the Adirondacks, and Saranac Lake is a beautiful region for beginner and experienced hikers alike. Gently meandering paths, trails to lake-side views, and big mountaintop vistas all await anyone who hikes here.

A couple hiking in the summer

Try it, we think you'll like it!

If you're new to hiking, Saranac Lake is an ideal place to start, providing adventurers with a range of options that will fit right in to their skill set. Head out in any direction from town to find hikes that range from family-friendly to challenging. Each hike will offer something unique, from interesting geological features to stunning scenery. We have hikes close to town and others a little further afield, where you'll wind your way through pine-scented forests and past sparkling brooks. It doesn't all have to be rugged mountains; try a gentle nature walk! 

Whether you're a beginner or a hiker from way back, in the Saranac Lake region you'll find hundreds of miles of beautiful trails that are ready to be explored, savored, and enjoyed. The Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Challenge, which encompasses six hikes in the region, has been a popular activity for several years.

Hikers on a bog boardwalk in the summer

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is a great resource for more outdoor recreation-related information, including useful maps!

A couple signs into a hiking trail register.

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK Pledge

By taking the Love Your Adirondacks Pledge and practicing Leave No Trace ethics you can help ensure that the forests, waterways, and communities of the Adirondacks remain beautiful and unique for generations to come. Make sure you also check out our Hiking 101 page, a great resource for before you hit the trail! When you choose to spend time in the wild, whether it's just a few feet from downtown or deep in the backcountry, it's important to be aware of your impact, how you can hike better and more safely, and share the trail with everyone. After all, we're all on the same team!

Trail closure: The NYSDEC has announced that the Scarface Trail is closed due to unsafe public use of the bridge. The bridge and the Scarface Mountain Trail will remain closed out of an abundance of caution until the structure is replaced, which is expected some time this year (2025). Planning is underway to replace the bridge. Users should not attempt to use the bridge or cross the brook on foot.

Haystack Mountain
Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Not to be confused with the High Peak Mountain Haystack, this one is in Ray Brook and offers a friendlier climb. It features a pleasant woods walk with a final steep climb that leads to an open rock face and ledge.
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Two people look over at a view of mountains and a lake
Fernow Trail
Route 30
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
Fernow Trail, also known as the Fernow Plantation Loop, was named after Bernhard Fernow. He was one of the fathers of modern forestry and the first chief of the US Forest Service. Look for brochures in the register box for information which...
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A metal plaque on a rock for B. Fernow.
Jenkins Mountain
Route 30
Paul Smiths, NY 12970
The hike up Jenkins is long but it isn't terribly difficult, making it perfect for anyone seeking a nice woods ramble that ends in a great view. 
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Jenkins has a nice view from a rocky summit.
Azure Mountain
Blue Mountain Road
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
One of the best fire tower peaks, Azure Mountain has a sweeping view of the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence Valley, even without climbing the tower. The Friends of Azure Mountain sometimes have a volunteer interpreter in the tower to answer...
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The firetower on top of Azure Mountain
Ampersand Mountain
Route 3
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Ampersand Mountain's open summit provides breathtaking 360-degree views from within the High Peaks Wilderness Area.
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A couple people hiking Ampersand Mountain
Raquette Falls
Corey's Road
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
The Raquette Falls Trail is one of the most popular Adirondack backcountry ski routes in winter, and a wonderful hiking route along the river in summer.
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A lean-to with a firepit
Western High Peaks
Welcome to the hip side of the High Peaks The High Peaks are popular for a lot of reasons -- they're rugged, they're challenging, and above everything else, they're beautiful -- but with the rising popularity of hiking, many of our taller mountains...
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Two people on the summit of Seymour
Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Route 86
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
The Bloomingdale Bog Trail is a scenic, end-to-end path that follows an old railroad corridor that connects Saranac Lake to Bloomingdale. The entire route is wide, level, and mostly straight, making it perfect for a casual stroll or bike ride.
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Bloomingdale Bog in the fall with the changing leaves
Round Pond
Route 3 and Route 30
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
Round Pond is not the official name for this pond; in fact it is not labeled with a name at all. However, there is a trail leading to the carry from Follensby Clear Pond. With a herd-path leading through camping areas from the parking lot this pond...
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Round Pond seen from the shoreline
Rock Pond
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
At less than a mile long, this pond is a perfect for families and for anyone who wants to stretch their legs. Getting there From the intersection of Routes 3 and 86 in Saranac Lake follow Route 3 toward Tupper Lake. Continue on Route 3 to Coreys Road...
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A view over a small pond of the distance mountains
Lake Champlain Revolutionary Quest
102 Fort Ti Rd
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Step back in time with the Lake Champlain Revolutionary Quest, a journey through the historic sites of the Lake Champlain Region in the Adirondacks, where key moments of the American Revolution unfolded. This self-guided trail, created in partnership...
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Fort Ticonderoga seen from a birds-eye view
McKenzie Mountain
Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977
McKenzie is the highest peak of the Saranac Laken 6ers.
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Always an incredible moment to share with someone close.

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Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

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Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

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Leave No Trace 7 Principles

The Adirondack Park provides a haven of pristine wilderness in New York state’s northernmost reaches. It also offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities for explorers of all ages and experience levels! While you enjoy your visit, please keep the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace in mind. Set forth by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and championed by many partners within the Adirondack Park, these principles will not only improve your own nature experience, but they help preserve this unparalleled natural wonder for generations to come.

1
Know before you go
 
 
Be prepared! Remember food, water, and clothes to protect you from cold, heat, and rain.     
Use maps to plan where you’re going. Check them along the way so you’ll stay on course and avoid getting lost. Learn about the areas you plan to visit.
2
Stick to trails and camp overnight right
 
 
Walk and ride on designated trails to protect trailside plants. Camp only on existing or designated campsites to avoid damaging vegetation.
3
Trash your trash and pick up poop
 
 
Pack it in, pack it out. Put litter—even crumbs, peels and cores—in garbage bags and carry it home. Use bathrooms or outhouses when available. If they're not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water and the trail.
4
Leave it as you find it
 
 
Leave plants, rocks, and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them. Treat living plants with respect. Carving, hacking, or peeling plants may kill them.
5
Be careful with fire
 
 
Use a camp stove for cooking. Stoves are easier to cook on and create less impact than a fire. If you want to have a campfire, be sure it’s permitted and safe to build a fire in the area you’re visiting. Use only existing fire rings to protect the ground from heat. Keep your fire small.
6
Keep wildlife wild
 
 
Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach, feed or follow them. Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and feeding them starts bad habits. Protect wildlife and your food by securely storing your meals and trash.
7
Share our trails and manage your pet
 
 
Be considerate when passing others on the trail. Keep your pet under control to protect it, other visitors, and wildlife. Be sure the fun you have outdoors does not bother anyone else. Remember, other visitors are there to enjoy the outdoors too.