🥾 Before You Hike: Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Bring more water than you think you need, wear layers, and download a trail map offline — cell service is unreliable on trails.
Beginner-Friendly Trails
Each of these trails offers a rewarding experience without requiring advanced fitness or technical gear. We’ve organized them from easiest to most challenging so you can match the trail to your group’s ability.
| Trail Name | Region | Distance | Elevation Gain | Difficulty | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Mountain | Saranac Lake | 2.2 mi RT | 450 ft | Easy | Open summit, great views of the Saranac Lake chain of lakes |
| Kane Mountain | Southern ADK | 2.2 mi RT | 600 ft | Easy | Historic fire tower summit, great for families with children |
| Goodnow Mountain | Blue Mountain Lake | 3.8 mi RT | 1,000 ft | Easy–Moderate | Restored fire tower with panoramic 360-degree views |
| Prospect Mountain | Lake George | 2.8 mi RT | 1,100 ft | Moderate | Panoramic views of Lake George; also accessible by car |
| Blue Mountain | Blue Mountain Lake | 4.4 mi RT | 1,559 ft | Moderate | Iconic summit with fire tower and views of dozens of lakes |
| St. Regis Mountain | St. Regis Wilderness | 6.4 mi RT | 1,200 ft | Moderate | Restored fire tower overlooking the St. Regis Canoe Area |
| Cascade Mountain | High Peaks | 4.8 mi RT | 1,940 ft | Moderate | Most climbed High Peak — well-marked trail, rewarding open summit |
| Phelps Mountain | High Peaks | 8.8 mi RT | 2,000 ft | Moderate | Accessible High Peaks summit with superb views of surrounding peaks |
| Tongue Mountain Range | Lake George | 5–15 mi | 1,200–2,400 ft | Moderate–Hard | Dramatic ridgeline above Lake George — home to rare eastern rattlesnakes |
| Mount Marcy | High Peaks | 14.8 mi RT | 3,200 ft | Strenuous | Highest peak in New York State (5,344 ft) — the ultimate bucket-list hike |
The Fire Tower Experience
One of the most unique features of hiking in the Adirondacks is the network of historic fire towers. Dozens of restored towers sit atop summits throughout the park, offering 360-degree views and a piece of living history.
From late spring through Columbus Day weekend, trained volunteer summit stewards staff many of these towers, sharing the history of the tower and the surrounding landscape with visitors. Popular fire tower hikes include Goodnow Mountain, Kane Mountain, Blue Mountain, St. Regis, and Hadley Mountain — most ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.
💡 First-Timer Recommendation: Make a fire tower summit your very first ADK hike. You get big views without a big challenge, and the summit steward will give you an orientation to the park that no guidebook can match.
The 46 High Peaks Challenge
The Adirondacks contain 46 mountains above 4,000 feet in elevation — known collectively as the “High Peaks.” Hikers who successfully summit all 46 earn the coveted title of “46er” and join a proud tradition of peak-baggers dating back to 1925.
Cascade Mountain is the most frequently climbed High Peak and the natural starting point for anyone interested in the 46er challenge. It’s one of the most accessible High Peaks with a well-marked trail and a genuinely rewarding open summit. Mount Marcy — New York’s highest point at 5,344 feet — is the ultimate prize, and many 46ers save it for last.
⚠️ Don’t Rush: The High Peaks should not be a first-timer’s first hike. Get several moderate hikes under your belt first. The peaks will still be there — and you’ll enjoy them far more when you’re properly prepared and equipped.
Leave No Trace in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks’ wilderness depends on respectful visitors practicing Leave No Trace principles. These are not just suggestions — they protect the trails and ecosystems that make the park worth visiting in the first place.
- Pack out all trash — there are no garbage cans on most trails
- Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and protect vegetation
- Leave rocks, plants, and natural objects exactly where you find them
- Camp at least 150 feet from trails, roads, and water sources
- Use a cat hole (6 inches deep) for human waste if no privy is available
- Respect wildlife — observe from a distance and never feed animals
- Minimize campfire impact — use established fire rings and only burn small pieces of wood