Because of its protected status, many areas of old-growth forest can be found in the park. From there, you can hike up to either Panther Gorge or over to Flowed Lands. Cascade Lake Loop. Marcy, the state’s tallest peak with its slabby rocky pyramid poking above krummholz, as well as Mts. This huge chunk of protected wilderness takes up more area than any of the national parks in the lower 48 states. The trail offers a number of activity options. Aim Low If you’re not determined to stand on a peak above 4,000 feet—it’s just a number, right?—target lower summits and you’ll find a fraction of the foot traffic seen on the official High Peaks. There are countless trails and mountains to discover throughout the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Adirondack Park also contains an assortment of wetland areas, including swamps, bogs, and marshes. Backpacker Map Contributor Lisa Densmore says you’ll want to spend at least four days on the leisurely, 19.2-mile High Falls Loop, a route packed with stay-awhile features. Trek to the trail-free summits of Macomb, Hough, and The Dixes. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Several options are available for camping. With varying degrees of difficulty and length, you’re sure to find a hike that tickles your fancy out of the 2,000+ miles of trails it offers. Located near Newcomb, this trail is 15.5 miles long, contains 3,405 feet of elevation gain, and also receives light traffic. Forty-six peaks in the Adirondacks rise higher than 4,000 feet. Loop Hike Old Forge Region. (2,551 feet). These mountains contain over 100 peaks, over 40 of which are over 4,000 feet high! This trail offers a little bit of everything, yet, perhaps because of the mileage, sees light traffic, so you’re almost guaranteed seclusion. Adirondack Sports & Fitness is an outdoor recreation and fitness magazine covering the Adirondack Park and greater Capital-Saratoga region of New York State. Backcountry Camping in Kananaskis Country, Best Backpacking Hammock for Side Sleepers. Also in Adirondack Hiking. You can either head back down past Rainbow Falls or continue on for an even more extensive hike to Mount Marcy, summiting Sawteeth, Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack Mountains along the way. From here you can go one of two ways. Stone Valley Recreation Area: 12 miles (full loop), 294 feet net elevation gain. The length of this loop makes for a challenging two day trip or a moderate three day trip.This hike starts at the very popular and crowded Bear Lake trailhead. With so many trails and the diversity of biomes in the park, it was hard to choose just a handful of the best backpacking loop hikes it offers. At the intersection east of the dam, take the trail south toward Avalanche Pass. Pharaoh Lake Wilderness 24 mile loop Moderate-difficult Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. But tomorrow morning we’ll head up Mt. Best backpacking trails in Adirondack Park, New York 129 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Adirondack Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Follow a herd path up and down forested Cliff Mountain (3,960 feet), returning to camp for the night at mile 9.8. Located in upstate New York, the Adirondacks and their backpacking loops take up a whopping 6 million+ acres. Whether you’re looking for an easy walk with little elevation gain next to the lake, seclusion deep in the woods, or a challenging climb up a 5,000 foot mountain, you’ll find some backpacking loops for you in the Adirondacks! February 2, 2021 Ryan Wichelns The winding trails at … Over half of the park is populated by hardwood forests. Access member exclusive content + more benefits → Jo. But more importantly, it’s the ultimate basecamp for a slew of Adirondack 46er Peaks—at least five, though we’ll only tag four on this trip. Alternatively, if you’re looking to do a little camping off the beaten path, check out our article “Dispersed Camping Essentials Guide“. Permit none Contact Lake Placid GPX Five Peaks Loop, Difficulty 4/5 Other than the fun challenge of climbing these three peaks, you also pass Lake Arnold, Feldspar Brook, Indian Falls, and Lake Tear of the Clouds. This trail, located near Wanakena, is a little (ok, a lot) more challenging at 1,300 feet of elevation change, which isn’t terrible, but…It is 19.2 miles in length. Located in upstate New York in the northeast corner, the Adirondack Mountains and Park take up a whopping 6 million+ acres. I was a neophyte the last time I made the trek from Uphill Lean-to to the top of New York State via its quiet southern side.