Cobble Hill
December 2023 Update from Adirondack Land Trust:
The 0.8-mile Cobble Hill hiking trail in Lake Placid has a new access point and boardwalk. At the corner of Mirror Lake Drive and Northwood School’s driveway, the new trailhead begins with a 250-foot boardwalk that connects to the natural surface trail to the 2,343-foot summit. All previous access points are now closed.
The trail work is part of a multi-year project to make the path safer and more enjoyable for hikers of a wide range of age, experience and ability, and to protect surrounding forests and waters. In addition to the boardwalk and trailhead, the following updates were made to the trail in 2023: 1,000 feet rerouted, two bridges installed, and tread and drainage improvements to 2,000+ feet. The work is being done by professional trail builders with Wilderness Property Management and Tahawus Trails.
Cobble Hill’s most redeeming feature is that it is a quick hike with a great view, right in downtown Lake Placid. This makes it a great hike for families, or those without a ton of time looking for something close by. It is a perfect hike to start the kiddos on before bringing them on something more challenging and it also makes a great lookout from which to watch night fall over the village of Lake Placid, as long as you have headlamps for the hike back down! This mountain is also part of the Lake Placid 9er Hiking Challenge if that's anything you're inspired to do.
Trail Stats:
Distance: 1.6 miles round-trip
Elevation: 2,343 ft
Ascent: 480 ft
After approximately 0.5 miles into the hike, you'll encounter a trail intersection. Keep going straight ahead to begin the ascent to the summit, which becomes steeper. Exercise caution on the steep rocky segments and strive to walk on durable surfaces to minimize erosion. Note that maintenance work on the upper part of the trail will continue in the summer 2024 to establish an alternative route around the steep rock slab hikers currently must navigate.
Trailhead:
Press Release from Adirondack Land Trust
There is no longer any hiker trailhead parking for Cobble Hill trails, so Lake Placid area hikers are encouraged to base Cobble hikes from your home or hotel, or to find designated parking on Mirror Lake Drive or in a municipal lot and begin your walk from there.
