The Most Beautiful Adirondack hikes, Upstate New York
Heading to the Adirondacks for some fall foliage or this winter for some amazing snow shoeing? Or maybe you’re collecting pins for summer vacation next year and need some awesome hikes to add in! Well here we go, this post will include 13 amazing hikes ranging from short easy hikes to some of the hardest high peaks, this way you have a good mix for all Adirondack hikers! Everyone will be able to do at least some of these. I have done almost all of these hikes in every season and they are all so unique everytime!
1.Mt Van Hoevenburg
Distance : 4.3 Miles round trip
Elevation gain : 892ft
This is such a beautiful hike, the valley in front of you is covered in colorful trees. Not a hard hike but more of a short workout then a very rewarding view!
2. Owls head
Distance : 2.9 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 695ft
Short easy doable hike for kids. Beautiful scenery from the top, views of the high peaks all around.
3. Big Slide
Distance: 7.6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 3,126ft
Definitely difficult but has fantastic views though out the hike, lots of a rock scramble but definitely a favorite high peak. Parking is super busy on weekends so get there early!
4. Bald Mountain
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 416ft
The easiest Hike on the list and definitely a lot of beauty! This trail also includes a fire tower at the top!
**Favorite Fall Hike
5. Indian Head
Distance: 10 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,998ft
This has to be my favorite hike in the Adirondacks, I could be biased because I’m a sucker for hikes with good lake views. The elevation is so worth it and the trail you take is incredible the whole way up!
6. Pilots knob
Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 885ft
Gorgeous trail! Almost flat till the second half. Incredible views of Lake George and it’s islands. Very easy but kinda hard to find so look it up on your map before you set out!
7. Cascade
Distance: 4.4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,899ft
A short quad burner but the 360 view at the top is unmatchable. Definitely a great first high peak to start you on your 46er journey!
8. Algonquin
Distance: 10 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 3,605ft
A bit of a strenuous hike but it is well worth the trek! The views at the top are absolutely insane. A 360 view from the top from one of the highest peaks in the area is breathtaking. Make sure to go on a clear day since this peak gets taken over by clouds pretty easy.
9. Buck Mountain
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,988ft
Perfect workout for most, not too easy and not too hard. Beginning is a big open trail then starts to get a little more challenging half way we’ll marked and we’ll used!
10. Shelving rock mountain and shelving rock falls.
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,046ft
I do this hike anytime I get the chance, it’s a pretty easy hike with a mountain top view, lake front trail and runs along a waterfall as well. All three make a very fun and beautiful day!
11. Castle Rock Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 656ft
Another not so challenging hike that I absolutely love. Super easy then gets a little steep to knock out the elevation to summit this beauty.
12. Giant Mountain
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 3,172ft
Not the easiest by any means but there are so many bonuses to pushing through this loop! There’s Giants wash bowl and a waterfall that you can choose to pass by on your route! And they are gorgeous.
13. Dix Range(East Dix, South Dix, Hough Peak, Macomb, Dix)
Distance: Roughly 17 miles
Elevation gain: 5,669+
This isn’t just one mountain and I saved this advice for last because only crazy people like us want to do 5 peaks in one day. But it was SO beautiful and so worth getting all of them done together. Definitely if you get the chance pile them into one 25 mile day. Start before daylight and get to work!
