Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Hike Like a Pro

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Janelle Jones
May 31, 2022

So, you want to take on fantastic hikes in the Saranac Lake area? You want to join your fellow hikers on some of Saranac Lake’s coolest hikes and achieve your goals. You want to take in sweeping views and see the dynamic Saranac Lake region from above. Whether you hike at sunrise, sunset, or sometime in between, there is magic in the woods. Call it romantic. Call it ethereal. Call it challenging, rewarding, or incredible. Hiking in Saranac Lake is one of a kind.

But hiking is about more than summiting a mountain. It’s about being part of something bigger. It’s about being part of a community that enjoys spending time outdoors and wants everyone else to have an enjoyable experience as well. By following Leave No Trace ethics and practicing ways to Love Your ADK, you can help ensure that the area mountains and trails are taken care of for years to come.

A lone hiker travels along a defined path through pine trees.

In addition to hiking popular mountains in the area (St. Regis, Ampersand, Haystack, McKenzie, and Scarface), here are Leave No Trace tips to make each hike more meaningful.

Make a plan

This one sounds boring, but it might be the most important! When you plan ahead and prepare for your hike, it helps you accomplish your goals safely, while also minimizing damage to the landscape. Poor planning can make a good trip miserable very quickly. Do yourself a favor and don’t set yourself up for failure: make sure you are prepared for spending time in the woods. Do you have all the hiking essentials in your backpack?

Did you know that McKenzie Mountain has multiple false summits? The mountain isn’t trying to play tricks on you; it’s just the way the glaciers shaped the land. Make sure you have your map packed and accessible so you know which summit you are on! There have been many people over the years who turn around, thinking they summited the mountain, only to find out they were on a false summit and not on the highest point. 

Two hikers enjoy a view from a mountain with distant mountains and a lake in the background.

Travel on trails

It sounds obvious, but it is necessary to stay on the trail when hiking. Hike through the mud, not around it! When you stray from the designated trails, the result could lead to barren areas, soil erosion, and unattractive trails. If you do have to leave the trail (to use the bathroom, for example), make sure you do your best to not trample vegetation.

If you’ve seen the summit of St. Regis Mountain you know that there is an expansive open area with commanding views of the St. Regis Canoe Area. There are no trees on this side of the summit because of a fire, furthering the point of how fragile ecosystems are on mountain summits. Do your part to stay on the rocks and not trample the vegetation. Chances are it’s been trying to grow there for a long time; don’t stomp on its future!

Two hikers cross a wooden bridge over a creek.

Leave what you find

Yes, this is the age-old adage “take only pictures.” Avoid damaging live trees (remember, in the Adirondacks, only dead and down wood can be used for fires) and refrain from rearranging rocks near streams or on summits. And it should go without saying, but the trees don’t need your graffiti. If you want to leave your name somewhere, be sure to sign in at the trail register. Carving tree bark leaves a permanent scar and diminishes the beauty of the area for others, and carvings can lead to unnecessary disease or invasive pathogens taking hold.

Haystack Mountain has plenty of wildflowers during spring. Do not pick flowers to bring home! They will not survive for very long, and you are removing habitat that pollinators need.

A man and woman stand on a mountain watching the sunset while the trees glow in the sunshine.

Create an enjoyable experience for everyone

Obviously having fun is a priority outdoors, but make sure your fun is not at the expense of others. You might like to hike with loud music, but others might not. Some people are afraid of dogs, so please control pets. You might hike super fast, while others take their time. Politely say you are passing and hike around. Being considerate of others is about being courteous toward other hikers. It helps everyone enjoy their outdoor experience!

For busy trailheads, like the one for Ampersand Mountain, maintaining a respectful attitude toward other hikers and users of the area is necessary for safety. The parking lot is along a busy corridor: watch for traffic when crossing the road, don’t park in a way that impedes motor vehicle traffic, and be nice to others on the trail. Everyone is hiking to enjoy time outdoors. There is no reason for that to be ruined by purposely disrespectful behavior. 

Two hikers climb on summit rocks as the sun sets with an orange glow.

Trash your waste

That means poop, too! No one wants to see toilet paper “flowers” alongside a trail, or banana peels left on a rock. Remember, anything you leave behind can adversely affect other people, water, and wildlife. 

If you see any trash along the trail, be sure to pack it out, even if it’s not yours, so you can leave the area better than you found it.

A human picking up a plastic water bottle thrown on the ground.

Respect wildlife

Remember, the woods and waters of the Adirondacks are the home of many animals. Give them the space they need and do not disturb them for a better look, or to get a photo. There’s a place for everyone in the Adirondacks, whether you have two legs or four!

Scarface Mountain is one of the quieter area peaks, which means it’s a great spot for wildlife viewing and birding. In order to keep animals safe and not habituate them to humans, make sure all food is stored securely. 

A brown deer with big eyes with a green background.
White-tailed deer. Photo provided by author.

Love Your ADK

Even though Leave No Trace ethics and principles have origins in the backcountry, you can practice ethics anywhere - from 6er hikes to Saranac Lake’s parks! Hiking is not the only thing to do in Saranac Lake. Paddle pristine waters, cycle along winding roads, shop for unique souvenirs, or sample some local brews. Make your summer count this year by loving the Adirondacks so that future generations can feel the love too. 

A lone hiker travels along a defined path through pine trees.
Two hikers enjoy a view from a mountain with distant mountains and a lake in the background.
Two hikers cross a wooden bridge over a creek.
A man and woman stand on a mountain watching the sunset while the trees glow in the sunshine.
Two hikers climb on summit rocks as the sun sets with an orange glow.
A human picking up a plastic water bottle thrown on the ground.
A brown deer with big eyes with a green background.
White-tailed deer. Photo provided by author.

Related Stories

Safe Winter Recreation on the Adirondack Rail Trail
Hike Like a Pro
On Peaceful Waters
What's New at the VIC
Preparedness Is No Accident
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
A Fall Vacation with Hot Sara
Hiking Haystack
Sixty Degrees in April
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
A Day on McKenzie Mountain
The Kiwassa Curse
A Fall Hike up St. Regis Mountain
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Hiking an Adirondack Mountain for the First Time
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: It's Luxury Hiking!
Get down! The best low-elevation hikes in Saranac Lake
Rejoice!! May Birding is Here!!
The Excitement of Early Spring Birding!
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
Azure Mountain Adventure
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
St Regis Mountain: Paddle and Hike
Three hikes to include everyone
New Road Mountain
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Village of Boulders
So many hikes, so little time
Puppy's first mountain climb
Spring Ice on the McKenzie Mountain loop
Gray Jays!
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
Excellent October Birding!
Hiking and camping, with goats
Seeing if the boot fits: Exploring the Bays
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
Great Birding and Loads of Warblers in Madawaska!
Early May Wildflowers: A Kaleidoscope of Color
In Defense of Mud Season
Two sides of the Trifecta
Enjoying Winter Birding
A Winter Hike into the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area
A Winter's Hike up Baker Mountain
Hiking & Tracking Wildlife on Scarface Mountain
Birding Along Lake Colby
Adirondack Firetower Challenge: Climbing the Fire Tower Peaks near and around Saranac Lake
An Apt Pair: Ampersand Mountain & Follensby Clear Pond
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Frequently overlooked hikes near Saranac Lake
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
A Great Place to Break Down
Birding at the Spring Pond Bog
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Slip Sliding Away Winter Hiking
Short & scenic hikes
Mount Arab
Debar Mountain and Black Peak
Hiking during Hunting Season
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Snow up high on McKenzie
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
Panther Trifecta
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
The Colors of Late Summer
Scarface Mountain Adventure
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Stomping out the Saranac 6 – Week 2 – St. Regis Mountain
Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure
A Birding Trip in Madawaska
Take A Swim!
Ampersand Mountain
Hiking and Birding on Baker Mountain
Blog on Bogs
A Birding Trip to Bloomingdale Bog
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Follensby Clear Pond to "Round Pond"
Birding in Spring Pond Bog
Hiking and Birding on the Jackrabbit Trail
Birding in Massawepie Mire
Lower Saranac Lake Path
The Kettle Trail
Hiking from the North End of the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES