The Adirondacks are known for their abundance of hiking trails, and most are accessible year-round. Although hiking the High Peaks in winter is best reserved for the experienced winter hiker, summits like Mt. Jo, Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cobble Hill feature safer, less challenging trails.
Of course, hiking doesn’t necessarily mean you have to summit a peak either. In fact, if you lack the proper gear or experience, it’s best to stick to these lower elevation trails with equally beautiful scenery and views.
Lake Placid Hikes for Casual Winter Hikers
All of these hiking trails are located in Lake Placid and offer loops of varying lengths with minimal elevation change and paths that tend to be more well-trodden.
John Brown Farm Trails
This NY State historic site is the home and final resting place of the famous abolitionist John Brown. The farm is open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday 10 am-5 pm and Sunday 1-5 pm. Choose from four trails: the Blue Trail (0.5 miles), the Yellow Trail (0.4 miles), the Potato Field Loop (1.8 miles), and the Ski Jump Trail (1.1 miles), and enjoy views of Algonquin Peak, as well as views of the nearby ski jumps.
Heaven Hill Trails
Heaven Hill is a multi-use trail system with heavenly views of the High Peaks. Although the trails are not groomed in the winter, they’re typically well-packed by snowshoers and cross-country skiers. There are three main loops – Bear Cub Loop (1.5 miles), Big Field Loop (0.9 miles) and Old Orchard Loop (1.4 miles) – and all of the paths are relatively flat and accessible. For the best view of the High Peaks, be sure to include the Old Orchard Loop.
Henry’s Woods Trails
Popular with mountain bikers for much of the year, and with Nordic skiers in winter, Henry’s Woods is a multi-use trail system located just outside the village of Lake Placid. The Connector Trail (0.3 miles) intersects with the Loop Trail (2 miles), the longest trail in the system, which is used to access the Plateau (0.9 miles), Switchback (0.25 miles), and Rocky Knob (0.9 miles) Trails. From the summit of Rocky Knob, there are excellent views of Lake Placid Village.
Peninsula Trails
The Brewster Peninsula Trails are located on the shores of Lake Placid, and tend to hold less snow than other trails because they are sheltered by a thick evergreen canopy. The trail system includes four trails – the Corridor Trail (1.5 miles), the Boundary Trail (1.8 miles), the Ridge Trail (1.4 miles) and the Lake Shore Trail (0.8 miles). While the Lake Shore Trail is the shortest, it’s bit uneven and rockier than the others, but worth the effort for the excellent views of Whiteface Mountain.
Year-Round Cabin Rentals Near Lake Placid
If you’re planning a winter hiking trip in the Lake Placid area, Moreno’s Cottages is the perfect base camp. Our year-round cabin rentals are close to all of these winter hiking trails, as well as the Adirondack Rail Trail. Plus, the Scarface Mountain Trail is accessible from the back of our property.
Choose from our Queen Cabin – featuring a small living room and kitchen with dining table, a separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, and a private bath – or our two-bedroom, two-bath Deluxe Cabin with a living room, full-size kitchen and dining area, a washer and dryer, two queens sized beds and a pull-out sofa. Other year-round accommodations include Studio 7, a cozy apartment ideal for couples, and our Lake Colby House vacation rental, which can sleep up to 13.
Book online or give us a call at 518-265-5370 to check availability and reserve your stay.