Hiking in Saranac Lake

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One foot in front of the other

Saranac Lake is a hub for hiking, including in the winter. With plenty of beginner snowshoeing trails, to some of the highest peaks in the state, there are a variety of difficulty levels and experiences people can have in the Saranac Lake area. Bring your snowshoes and have fun!

Try hiking in the winter!

If you're new to snowshoeing, 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. 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. Remember, hiking in the winter can be dangerous, and it's important to come prepared for the conditions.

A hiking group in the winter

Hike safely during transitional seasons

Hiking during the late fall and winter seasons is a great time to enjoy the quiet trails. However, this also brings with it hunting season in the Adirondacks. During this time, hunters may also be out and about in our shared outdoors. It's important to stay alert and know who you’re on the trails with. Always prioritize safety during hunting season to enjoy your hike without incidents. We know how essential it is to prepare for your next hiking trip during hunting season, and we've come prepared with all the info you need! For more guidance on hunting zones, dates, and times, visit the NYS DEC website.

Spring hiking brings longer days, warmer temperatures, and trails bursting with life. However, it also means mud season! As snow and ice melt, the timing of which can vary year to year, trails can become soft and sensitive to erosion. Be sure to stay on designated paths, avoid widening trails, and wear proper footwear to handle the conditions. Higher elevations also mean unexpected weather! You may see snow and ice much longer into the season, or need to prepare for varying temperatures at the summit. For more guidance on responsible spring hiking, visit the NYS DEC website.

Two hikers pass through woods in fall wearing orange vests for safety.

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 Winter Preparedness 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.

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.

The Love Your Adirondacks Pledge

By practicing Leave No Trace ethics you can help ensure that the Adirondacks remain beautiful and unique for generations to come.

Watch Video

Enjoy a decidedly different winter

Winter in Saranac Lake is pure magic. Cozy up, hike scenic trails, and soak in the vibrant arts scene.

Start planning

Go on a nature walk!

Not wanting to go on a big hike? Take a walk to a town park, or even the accessible Adirondack Rail Trail.

Take a walk

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

A couple people hiking Ampersand Mountain

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...

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.

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...

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...

A view over a small pond of the distance mountains

McKenzie Mountain

Route 86

Ray Brook, NY 12977

McKenzie is the highest peak of the Saranac Laken 6ers.

Always an incredible moment to share with someone close.

Panther Mountain

Route 3

Tupper Lake, NY 12986

Panther Mountain is a short, but steep, hike leading to fabulous views of distant mountains and Panther Pond below.

Saranac River to Moose Pond Trail

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Sometimes overlooked, the hike to Moose Pond is pleasant and very enjoyable.

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.

Hiking in Saranac Lake

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