Parking Area for Giant Mountain Trail along Route 73 across from road to St.Hubert's Inn. Turn right at the first trail junction, a minute's walk from the parking lot. Three tenths of a mile, easy walk to base of falls. Limited view of falls. DO NOT attempt to climb beside or up the falls. There is a trail that diverges from the Giant Mtn. Trail to the top of the falls, but there is no good viewing point there, and several hikers have been hurt or killed trying to descend for a better look. The best view of the falls itself is along Route 73, from the small turnout halfway down the hill into Keene Valley.
North of town off Route 9, Schroon Lake. This is a short, but steep hike. The view of Schroon Lake and Pharaoh Mountain are worth the 2 mile round trip. This is a good first "real" hike: just enough challenge to present a taste of the sport, with rewarding scenery at the viewpoint. If you have no trouble on this, you're ready for moderate and harder hiking.
East side of Warrensburg; turn off Route 9 (Main St) onto Hackensack Ave and park above corner with Warren St. Follow trail up and left, then swing steeply up right toward summit. 3 mile round trip with steady grade plus a couple steep pitches. Bird's Eye View of Warrensburg, Hudson River valley, Crane Mountain, etc.. This is on the Hard side of easy hiking.
Shortly after turning toward Keene Valley on Route 73 off the Northway Exit 30; park in the large pullout on the south side of the road. This is in sight of the Northway. An old road leads into the woods back toward the N'way, ending at a trail heading up. Follow this through a brambly clearing into a wooded notch. A few minutes farther, the main trail descends steeply to the bottom of a cliff, side trails lead left and right to the top of the cliff. This is a popular rock climbing area. Good views of the wilderness to the S & SW, the N'way, and often of climbers enjoying their sport. CAUTION: Dangerous cliffs! This is a short, easy walk.
Fee. Enjoyable walk around High Peaks Lake. Good opportunity for nature study, esp. woodland plants. Nearby ADK gift shop and other facilities. Well-marked trail; be careful not to take any branching trails into the High Peaks Wilderness.
Fee. Route 431 off Route 73, north of Wilmington. Easy walk to summit from parking lot nearby. Gift shop, restaurant, and weather observatory tours. Spectacular views of Lake Placid & High Peaks, & more. Bring warm clothing at all times: it has snowed on the summit in every month of the year.
Off West Mtn. Rd. ~8 miles west of Corinth. Turn North on Shippee Rd., drive ~1 mile to turnout. Walk farther along road, taking every right fork. After passing through a low spot, turn right up steeply, don't cross stream (go right). Check out the many optional side trails to several viewpoints. Take care to keep track of the correct path to return on.
3 miles west of Jct of Rts. 10 & 8: West Shore Rd. 3 1/2 miles. Trail on west side of road. Excellent view of Piseco Lake. This area is heavily hunted in late September & October, but is otherwise little used. As with all cliffside views, be cautious and keep children under control. 2 miles round trip, some steep sections of trail.
Turn south on Cedar River Road 2 miles W of Indian Lake on Route 30. Drive 12 miles to gate, then continue 13 miles to a junction. Go south(left), drive almost 2 more miles to the trailhead. Walk along abandonned road. This is long for an easy hike (4.6 miles), but with very little ups or downs, it's a good way to prepare your legs for harder hiking. Not recommended in spring due to bugs. Best in late August-September.
From the Northway, take exit 25 and go west on Rt8. Cross the Hudson River, cross Rt28 and continue about 2 miles into Johnsburg. Turn left on S.Johnsburg Rd. and drive ~6 miles, then turn right on Garnet Lake Rd. Turn right on Sky High Rd. and drive up the steep, bumpy road to the trailhead. Perhaps the best hike in the Adirondacks, Crane provides plenty of variety in its 5 mile loop trail. Work up a sweat on the summit trail, climb a 30' ladder through the last barrier to the top and take in the magnificent view while catching your breath. Head down along the cliff ridge, with several more good vantage points along the way, down to Crane Mountain Pond. Swim, fish, or relax again. Continue down to the base of the mountain, looking down on the old Putnam farm as you descend, then peer in to the cave that passes under the trail. Finish up on the old Putnam Road as it returns to the parking lot.
Summit Photo from Crane Mountain
Exit 22 off the Northway, head south on Rt9, turn left on Rt 9L. Turn left on Pilot Knob Rd and drive ~4 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. A fine hike to a superb summit overlooking the southern end of Lake George. Pick a sunny day and watch the boats below. Good view of the peaks to the west also.
Exit 20 off the Northway, turn left on Rt9 then right on Rt149. Drive to Rt22, turn left and continue to Clemons. Turn left on County Rt6 for 2.8 miles. Turn left on Pike Rd for .8 miles to trailhead on right. Buck Mtn's sister peak to the north, Black has a good loop trail option. It's a steep finish to the summit tower for a great view of Lake George's midsection. If you choose to hike the loop, be careful not to take the trail down to Lake George.
As for Crane Mountain, except: turn right on Hudson St. about two miles after turning onto S Johnsburg Rd. Turn left steeply up Paintbed Bk Rd. and park by the big maple tree. Walk left on the road from here, staying on the left road when the gravel road turns sharply up & right. Shortly after this, a left turn at a small bramble glade starts the actual trail, although this too was once a busy road. 2 miles of gentle to moderate uphill walking lead to the height of land and the remains of a paint pigment mining operation. A history buff's favorite, there are old foundations, a chimney, and other building ruins. Return the same way.
Very little elevation change, good trail the whole way, almost an easy hike but it is 6 miles round trip.
Tougher hiking, but the views are worth it.
Probably the busiest mountain in the Adirondacks. A toll road runs almost up to the picnic area "summit" so this could be an easy hike. If you start from Lake George, it's a steep two and a half mile climb to the same point; passing through a white oak forest (the Lake George Graben is about as far north as white oaks get) grading in to hemlock and pine close to the picnic area.
Another mild hike that is barely long enough to be considered moderate.
Close to the Adirondack Museum, with a tower and good views at the top. Views of Blue Mountain Lake, Tyrell Pond, High Peaks.
Another good mountain for views.
Noonmark's steep two and a half mile trail leads to some of the best vantages for seeing the High Peaks.
Of the two most direct ways to get up Big Slide, the trail following the Brothers Ridge offers the easiest grade and several spots to study the west side of the Great Range as you go.