Lake Placid in New York has previously held the Winter Olympic Games but during the summer, this attractive alpine village situated in Adirondack Park is a delightful getaway. Lake Placid hiking is some of the best in the east coast, you won’t want to miss out.
Why Hike Lake Placid
Lake Placid is the perfect mixture of natural beauty which appeals to people for vacations. From Lake Placid hiking trails to paddle boats, you can see its magnificent view from above Whiteface mountain. You can have a wonderful holiday full of memories at Lake Placid, an impeccable escape from the city’s busy life.
A popular attraction around Lake Placid is hiking because it offers a panoramic view of mountains above clouds, streams, lakes and wildlife which suits all ages. Not all mountains are high for climbing, there is hiking trails ideal for each interest, ability and skill. Also, some trails can be completed in less than an hour, allowing you to go hiking in the morning and then discover other activities in the evening.
Lake Placid hiking can be a perfect trip if you are looking for doing some hiking or trekking on your vacation. Lake Placid is known for its mountains and trails, so it’s no surprise that climbing and hiking are popular outdoor activities. You can enjoy its recreational activities with your family, friends and even pets as the environment are super-friendly and comfortable.
How to Get to Lake Placid
Lake Placid is located in Essex County as a village in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. You’re closer to Lake Placid than you think. It is roughly a five-hour drive from Boston and New York City, less than four hours’ drive from Syracuse, Canada and Ottawa and two to three hours from Vermont, Albany, and Montreal.
You can also travel by train through Amtrak from New York City, Montreal and Albany. International flights towards Adirondack Regional Airport also operate which you can access easily. There are five airports near Lake Placid but Saranac Lake is the closest airport to it.
Best Time for Lake Placid Hiking
Lake Placid hiking is an awesome activity because of all the stunning nature around the area year-round. Pets are welcome in Lake Placid which makes an added bonus! Your pets can accompany you on any journey, whether it’s a night out in town in a comfy hotel or a remote camping trip full of excitement.
A good time to organize a trip to Lake Placid is between May and August when the weather is more pleasant. Summer weather temps range from 65 to 75 degrees.
After the summer, Fall is also a good option for Lake Placid hiking because of fall foliage! Check out the New York Fall Foliage report for more details on the leaf-peeping season. One of the best parts of hiking in the East Coast is the crazy red, yellow, and orange colors of the leaves. It’s truly stunning and hard to describe how beautiful it is unless you see it in person.
Finally, there is a consistent snowfall for winter activities as the slopes are covered in snow from November to April. If you plan to go to Lake Placid during the winter, there are winter hiking options available. If you decide to go on Lake Placid Hiking trails in the winter, I highly recommend stopping by or if you want to splurge, staying at Lake Placid Lodge. You can even check out their website for more fun activities over the winter.
8 Best Lake Placid Hiking Trails
There are so many great hiking trails in Lake Placid, it can get tricky to think of which ones to hike. To help with that, I’ve rounded up a list of my favorites below!
1. Cobble Hill
The bald cobblestone on Cobble Hill’s face makes it easy to identify since it sits directly on the shores of Mirror Lake. This hike is perfect for beginners. The top provides spectacular views of High Peaks over Lake Placid village. The summit is reached after a 0.8-mile climb up a short but steep path. Both short and long trails can be accessed by tourists for going to Cobble Hill, but the shorter route is steeper so trekking beginners need to be careful while choosing the shorter path.
If you’re new to winter hiking, Cobble Hill is a terrific place to start. Snowshoes, as with any winter trail, are required for attaining grip and avoiding post-holing.
As you climb elevation, expect the temperature to drop, and be prepared for cold gusts on the exposed stones. Bring additional layers, especially if you’re going to a higher altitude, and don’t be scared to turn around if bad weather sets in.
2. Mount Jo Loop Trail
Mt. Jo’s open summit provides one of the amazing views of the High Peaks for comparatively little exertion, making it a popular peak whether you are a beginner trekker or with family. At only 1.8 miles, this is great news for less-advanced hiking dogs and kids!
You can bring your pets to enjoy trekking as the trail is super easy. It’s simple to make a loop trek out of this expedition because there are two ways to the top, though beginner hikers may find the short trail too high. Mt. Jo is an excellent place to start if you’re new to snowshoeing because it will make your lake placid hiking memorable. Prepare your hiking bag with all the necessary items which you may need during the trek.
3. Brewster Peninsula Loop
Brewster Peninsula Loop is a frequently traveled Lake Placid hiking trail in New York. It is 2 miles and suitable for all skills and ability levels. You can also go mountain biking, hiking and/or trail running. Best of all, this trail is dog-friendly so long as you keep your pup on a leash!
Despite its diverse terrain, the trail is pretty straightforward to navigate, especially for beginner hikers. This location provides stunning views of Lake Placid and its surrounding lush vegetation.
4. Mirror Lake Loop
Mirror Lake gets its name from its reflection that resembles a mirror. Not surprisingly then, the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. When looking out over the lake, you can readily see the picturesque Lake Placid Village reflected in the water.
Mirror Lake does not allow powered boats, but paddleboats, kayaks and canoes, are available! Explore Lake Placid while taking a pleasant 2.7 mile walk around the lake.
Mirror Lake offers some of the state’s most distinctive leisure opportunities. Lake Placid is known for its skiing, but locals also enjoy dog sledding and ice skating on Mirror Lake in the winter. Be sure to always carry enough water with you when you go for Lake Placid hiking, even if the mileage seems short.
5. Mount Van Hoevenberg
Mt. Van Hoevenberg is a moderately rated and crowded 4.3 mile trail near Lake Placid which gives the chance to view wildlife. The route is open all year round and offers a variety of activities. Mt. Van Hoevenberg blends the Olympic legacy of Lake Placid with its outdoor activities. It has the most modern combined skeleton and bobsled track on the sliding center side, as well as The Cliffside Coaster which is North America’s longest mountain coaster.
Always carry light snacks like granola bars or chips when you go for Lake Placid hiking. It’s very important to keep yourself energized while hiking, and the 4.3 miles can seem longer than you think.
6. Marcy Dam Trail
Residents and visitors both love trekking the 5.5 mile Marcy Dam trail. The Marcy Dam trail is extremely beautiful and lets hikers enjoy the open space and nature. It’s a very wide and maintained trail, and will be a good option for families who want to try a harder, longer trail.
The Adirondack region has approximately 2,000 miles of trails, possibly the largest hiking system in the country. The majority of trails around Lake Placid are well-marked, although a map is still recommended. Therefore I always recommend that you download an offline map that will navigate you better regarding which Lake Placid trail is better in terms of difficulty and distance.
7. Algonquin and Wright Peak via Algonquin Trail
You may find some Lake Placid hiking trails easy and difficult, but surely the hiking experience will be unforgettable. Wright Peak and Algonquin Peak through Algonquin Trail is a 10 mile, heavily travelled trail close to Lake Placid that is rated as challenging. The trail is most popular in the spring to fall time, from April to October.
If you want to bring along your dogs, they definitely can join but must be on a leash. Since this is a longer trail, I would also highly recommend buying Musher’s Wax. Some other dog owners will use dog boots, but I’ve always found Musher’s max to be better.
You can have a wide view of the Lake Placid from Algonquin and Wright Peak. You can even view the ski jump of the Olympics. While trekking up, you will see a lot of bare rocks which will be easier to climb in summers or dryer weathers but in muddy or wet environments, you need to be careful as the rocks get slippery.
Regardless of how challenging this Lake Placid hiking trail can be, the magnificent views of Lake Placid are definitely worth it.
8. Mount Marcy
Mount Marcy is the highest peak of the Adirondack region and makes for a tough and challenging 16.7 mile hike. The Adirondack Loj parking lot is the quickest way to reach its peak. Although this is a very popular and well-traveled Lake Placid hike, it is also a steep, challenging climb – specifically the last mile, that rises the summit on bare rock.
The enormous rock dome at the peak offers some of the greatest views in the northeast. Keep in mind that Marcy is native to endangered alpine plants, so tread carefully. Only walk on approved routes and always stay on open rock. Since the trail is very long, make sure to bring extra gear including the 10 Essentials to help you stay safe.
Hiking Gear Suggestions
Hiking Boots / Shoes
Hiking boots are the most important gear to have when you are hiking. If you wear your normal running shoes or sandals, you can easily get blisters or accidentally trip because you don’t have enough traction on your shoes.
Hiking boots are a great option if you are a beginner hiker. It will help your feet and ankles be more stable on any rock scrambles. My favorite hiking boots are from Salomon. If you are a more advanced hiker, you might consider dropping hiking boots for something lighter like a trail runner. I like wearing Hoka’s or adidas.
Sun Protection
Always remember to have sun protection, even if you are hiking in the winter! I always bring a hat and layer on SPF.
Water Storage
You’ll be needing water for your Lake Placid hiking adventures. Always pack more water and be thankful that you have enough left over at the end of your hike. My general rule of thumb is 1L of water per hour of hiking.
Summer Hiking Clothing
Lastly, summer hiking clothing will keep you cool. If I’m going on a real hike, I will never wear cotton because it’s just a horribly inefficient material. For more details on why that is, check my post on Essential Hiking Clothes!
Summary
Lake Placid is one of the most beautiful regions in the East Coast of the United States. It makes for a relaxing and fun weekend or week-long trip if you are in the NYC or New York Area. There are so many Lake Placid hiking trails to choose from that it can be difficult to know which will be the “best bang for your buck.” I hope this list helps!
PS – browse my blog if you are looking for other hikes in the New York or New England area.
Have you gone hiking in Lake Placid before? What did you think?
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