Northville-Lake Placid Trail

Carry your room with you on this through hike trail.
Carry your room with you on this through hike trail.
Plenty of classic leantos for camping along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail.
Plenty of classic leantos for camping along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail.
Bridges have been built along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail for help negotiating tricky areas.
Bridges have been built along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail for help negotiating tricky areas.
There are many leantos and and primitive camping sites along the trail.
There are many leantos and and primitive camping sites along the trail.
The Northville-Lake Placid Trail has many connections with local communities to keep a supply chain going.
The Northville-Lake Placid Trail has many connections with local communities to keep a supply chain going.
For a real backcountry challenge, you can ski the Northville-Lake Placid Trail in winter.
For a real backcountry challenge, you can ski the Northville-Lake Placid Trail in winter.

Info

Waterfront Park
Northville, NY 12134
  • info@adirondackexperience.com

This is the big one.

When it was created by the Adirondack Mountain Club in 1922, the Northville-Lake Placid Trail was originally designed to be an alternate way to connect the train stations in two communities — you guessed it — Northville and Lake Placid.

Hiking

Today, this 133-mile trail provides access to some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Adirondacks, including designated Wilderness Areas, like Silver Lake, West Canada Lake, Moose River Plains, Blue Ridge, and High Peaks. Backpackers will find forests and lake shores dotted with first-come, first-serve lean-tos and primitive campsites as they hike past mountain views, waterfalls, and mile after mile of rolling forest. Be on the lookout for moose and beaver, and fall asleep to the sound of loons calling as the sun sets!

This southernmost trailhead for this epic route begins on South Main Street in Northville. From there, the trail heads north as it gradually gains elevation to the high point of 3,008 feet, at the crest of the ridge to the east of Blue Mountain and Tirrell Pond.

Many guidebooks and published accounts of the trail are based on starting at the Northville trailhead and heading north. Fans suggest that once a hiker is familiar with the trail, they will find a new experience by hiking south from the Lake Placid trailhead.

Community connections

If 133 miles sounds like a massive undertaking, that’s because it is! Many people do this trek over several outings, a feat that’s made easier by the fact that the Northville-Lake Placid Trail intersects many roads along the way. Thru hikers often mail themselves supplies to the Northville, Piseco, and the Long Lake post offices. Supplies can also be purchased in those communities.

Camping

The trail provides access to some of the most beautiful and remote areas which have first-come, first-serve lean-tos and primitive campsites. They are located in designated Wilderness Areas like High Peaks, Blue Ridge, Silver Lake, and West Canada Lake. Backpack and camp among forests and lake shores.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

Ski or snowshoe the Northville-Placid Trail from the Long Lake or Blue Mountain Lake trailheads. It is considering moderately challenging because of the changing elevations. It's a good trail to pack along a pair of snowshoes if the trail gets tricky on skis.

Find out more

There have been changes to the trail in recent years, such as a 2.2 mile spur trail to the village of Long Lake.

Be sure to check the Department of Conservation's Adirondack Trail information before setting out, and always carry a map and compass in case of need.

Facilities

Waterfront Sites, Wooded Sites, Lean-tos, Tent Sites
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