Stratford, New York

The Kane Mountain fire tower is one of the more frequented Adirondack towers due to the ease of the trail and its proximity to so many Caroga Lake camping areas. The short hike is family friendly and available year round, part of the trail doubles as a cross country skiing trail in fact. Driving...

Pillsbury Mountain is a fairly short but satisfying hike, ending with beautiful views of surrounding mountain ranges and lakes, and home to a defunct ranger station and fire tower. To get to the parking area within the Perkins Clearing wilderness area, head north on Route 30 out of Speculator and...

Augers Falls is a not so well kept secret in the Wells/Speculator area of the Adirondacks. It's usually not very crowded but the people that go to take it in come from far and wide. It's an easy family friendly hike (and that includes furry family, just keep them on leash) that offers some fantas...

Know before you go! It’s a bumpy road in and a bumpy road out so be sure your vehicle is ready to handle a long, winding dirt and rocky road back to the trail head. The road is approximately 7 miles to the trailhead starting on Jessup River Road off of State Route 30 in Speculator, NY. Follow Jes...

The hike around Nick's Lake is a gentle, beautiful hike near the resort town of Old Forge, New York. Park for free at the Bisby Road Trailhead, or cut two miles off the route and pay to park at Nick's Lake Campground ($10 per car). If you start from Bisby Road, sign in at the trail register then ...

Hadley Mountain historically has faced its share of forest fires. The fires left thin soil, leading to more exposed rock on this fairly quick, scenic hike. Due to the rockiness, when you're thinking about heading out for this hike, be sure to grab a sturdy pair of hiking boots or at least your st...

Snowy Mountain is the largest mountain in this region of the Adirondacks, and with a 2100'+ elevation gain over the 3.5 mile ascent is actually more work than some of the famed High Peaks. Going north on Rt 30, the parking lot is marked as Snowy Mountain on the right hand side. If you make it to ...

Bald Mountain (Rondaxe Fire Tower) is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Old Forge, New York.

The trail up Black Bear starts at the end of the old road/parking lot nearest Inlet. There are two routes up Black Bear; the shorter but steeper route of 1.9 miles and the longer but muddier route of 3.1 miles. There is another trailhead on Uncas Road that isn't as steep but is 2.2 miles to the s...

This half-mile, steep hike to the 2225 foot summit of Rocky Mountain has some great views of Fourth Lake and the surrounding area from it's open summit. Simply follow the steep, well worn trail (and yellow DEC discs) to the summit. The round trip of this hike is one mile, with an elevation gain ...

There are a few entries into the preserve' however, this hike has you entering off of Mariaville Road. There is a kiosk here and you will enter on the Red trail. Shortly after you can go out and back on the Blue trail to view the Upper and Lower Falls from lookouts above. Once back to the Red t...

Shallow Lake is a 268 acre remote lake located in the Pigeon Lake Wilderness in Central Adirondacks. This trail starts from Brown Tract Pond Campground, near campsite number 68 via the Shallow Lake Trail. This is a nice and easy hike for all fitness levels, with little elevation gain.There is a w...

At the trail register stay to your right at the fork in the trail. The left trail will be where you return. At approximately 0.5 miles you will reach an open ledge area, as you look up a rock cairn will mark where you pick up the trail. At 0.8 miles you will reach the first of two ladders to a...

Over 3 miles of trails provide access to all parts of the preserve, and end up winding through mixed terrain including a wetland, waterfalls, and old stone walls. The property crosses the Bozenkill Road at two points on either side of private parcels (with beautiful homes), so be vigilant there; ...

Starting at the parking area you will walk 0.2 miles west on Route 28 to the north side of the road to locate the marked trailhead. After signing the trail register you will follow the the red marked trail approximately 0.5 miles to the first junction.  At the junction you will branch right and f...

This 2.3 mile loop trail is lightly trafficked and great for all skill levels. Starting out the trail register, you will see signs from The Nature Conservancy which manages the preserve. Descending down a hill with lots of exposed tree roots, you will then cross over the meandering Lisha Kill and...