In the Lake George area, the mountains like Adirondack are like heaven for hikers. Various Lake George hiking trails have spectacular views and make for a great weekend escape.
Tips for Lake George hiking
Lake George is a beautiful spot for hiking in Upstate New York. It borders Vermont and is a very popular place for weekend trips, especially for folks looking to get out of the city. Paved trails like Prospect Mountain, Buck Mountain, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, Cat and Thomas Mountain, and Black Mountain are incredible and accessible for hiking near Lake George.
Before you set out for your trip to hike Lake Geroge, there are certain precautionary measures that you should be aware of. First, check the weather according to the season you are hiking. The best season for most of the Lake George hikes is summer because of having more sun. Winter in Lake George is cold, typically dropping to 35 degrees, and it can of course snow! With snow comes winter hiking restrictions like needing heavier layers, crampons etc. So generally summer is the best season for Lake George hiking.
Next, you will definitely want to research on if your hike is child friendly and dog friendly. Many of the Lake George hikes are dog friendly which is amazing! But some hikes may require tougher scrambles or a steep incline, so it depends on the fitness of your dog. The same can be said for young children. Only you will know if the distance and steepness are suitable for your children!
What to Pack for Lake George Hiking
I personally think having the right gear can make or break your Lake George hiking experience. Because the weather can vary so much, you will want to be safe and comfortable. The 10 Essentials are of course important for your safety. After that, the other gear listed here will help you more on comfort.
Hiking Boots / Shoes
There is some scrambling and some areas with rocky footing on the Lake George hikes, so having sturdy hiking boots or shoes is always a good bet. These are my favorite hiking boots / shoes.
Sun Protection
You will want sun protection for Lake George hiking, even in the winter. The sun is deceptively strong!
Water Storage
There are many options for carrying your water, including just a plain water bottle. However the MSR Drom Bag has been my go-to water carrier for years now.
In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.
Summer Hiking Clothing
Hiking near Lake George can be very humid and buggy in the summer. Sweat-wicking clothing will go a long way in keeping you comfortable.
PS – If you are looking for a more in-depth review of hiking gear, check out my blog on The Best Hiking Clothes.
Winter Hiking Favorites
Finally, here is a snippet of my winter hiking favorites. Winter hiking generally involves a lot more gear because you need to prepare for the harsher and colder weather, but that should not deter more advanced hikers from enjoying Lake George hiking in the winter!
5 Scenic Lake George Hikes
1. Prospect Mountain Trail
2.8 miles | 1,535 ft | Dog Friendly
At 2.8 miles round trip, Prospect Mountain is one of the popular hikes around Lake George. The trailhead is located in the village of Lake George, while the summit provides scenery of the lake and region its surrounded region. Although the hike seems pretty short at 2.8 miles, this hike may not be suitable for young children because of the 1,535 ft elevation.
Because of the steep incline of the hike, you should definitely wear good hiking shoes. On the top of the mountain, you’ll see remnants of the cable incline railway, which was once the longest known cable railroad. It was made specifically for visitors who could afford the expenses of the hotel and stay.
The hiking on Prospect Mountain is really beautiful, and it becomes even more remarkable as you get closer to the top. You’ll experience the best views at the top, especially in the fall when there is Fall Foliage. It’s easy to see why Prospect Mountain is one of the best Lake George hikes!
2. Sleeping Beauty Mountain
7.0 miles | 1,341 ft elevation | Dog Friendly
The trail to Sleeping Beauty Mountain is around 7.0 miles and although there are some switchbacks, it is definitely an enjoyable hike because the elevation is spread across more miles. If kids have the stamina to hike for 3.5 – 4 hours, this is definitely a good option!
This Lake George hike is located on the eastern shore of Lake George and is quite a popular trail to choose from for Lake George hiking. The loops involve the yellow instruction markers to follow from Dacy Clearing to the spot where the trail splits, while blue markers provide lead to Sleeping Beauty summit. There are two spots where you can start the trail, the Hogtown trailhead and the Dacy Clearing trailhead. The Hogtown trailhead comes first, and after 1.5 miles, the Dacy Clearing trailhead arrives.
Among all of the trails for Lake George hikes, Sleeping Beauty Mountain is one of my favorites because of the longer distance and spectacular views along the way. At the start of the trail, you’ll have to hike from a rocky trail, but after a bit, you’ll find the moderately smooth trail for hiking. The remarkable views you’ll experience during hiking will make you believe that this journey is worth it.
In summer, the road from Hog Town Trailhead to Dacy Clearing could be open and you can drive through – although this part of the hike will be bumpy.
3. Buck Mountain Trail
7.0 miles | 1900 ft elevation | Dog Friendly
Buck Mountain Trail is another good, long hike, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Lake George hiking is truly amazing and Buck Mountain is a popular trail. The trail has a few challenging spots along it’s 3.5 mile climbs. Make sure that you and your hiking companions follow the markers along the whole route which helps mark the trail. Take care of the early turns and instructions about them.
Because there are more rocky and a few stream crossing, Buck Mountain Trail might not be suitable for all young children. For others, Buck Mountain Trail is a good option to consider for its heart-pumping elevation and overall peacefulness and serenity. If you are enthusiastic and passionate about hiking and accepting challenges, you should consider this one of the remarkable Lake George hikes.
4. Black Mountain and Lake George Trail
7.7miles | 1300 ft elevation | Dog Friendly
On this hike, you have to cover the 7 miles distance in total. Of the Lake George hiking options, Black Mountain is one of the tallest mountainsin the area. It is located in the Northeast section of Lake George.
At 2,646 feet, you’ll be at the summit of the Black Mountain. You’ll see a fire tower and a cabin at the summit with you. The summit is an open and a clear spot where you can see the high peaks and beyond the region too.
The great view on the summit will make you sure that your whole hike is worth the struggle to reach the top. When you descend the mountain, specs of Lake George hikes, ponds, and the vast sky will provide you with the best experience of hiking in your life.
5. Cat and Thomas Mountain Trail
7.3 miles | 1,624 ft elevation | Dog Friendly
Cat and Thomas Mountain Trail provides more spectacular views of Lake George hikes. It is located on the Northwest side of the lake, so you will get a different perspective from the other peaks on the mountain.
The trails are well marked, and the whole trail is marked blue on the trees. You’ll get more great views of the Lake during your hike. Camping is also allowed here for three days. But there are certain rules that you have to follow for camping. You have to get a permit if you have more companions in your group or you want to stay for more nights
Summary
Lake George hiking is quite challenging but also completely rewarding and beautiful. Hikers who are both beginners and more experience will have a great time here because of how well-marked the trails are.
Summer and Fall are excellent for Lake Goerge hiking, but you could really go during any season. It just depends how well packed you are in your hiking gear!
If you are looking for more Lake George info, check out the official tourism page here.
Have you done any Lake George hikes? What did you think?
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