Adirondack Hiking
Trails, Challenges & Resources
The Adirondack Park offers some of the most diverse hiking in the Northeast — from mellow forest walks and waterfall chases to demanding High Peaks ascents and multi-day thru-hikes. Whether you're chasing the 46er patch, exploring lesser-known summits with your dog, or introducing your kids to the trails, there's a challenge built for you in the Adirondacks.
Current Conditions — Spring 2026
- Mud season in effect through mid-June: Please stay below 2,500 ft elevation to protect fragile alpine and wet-weather soils.
Know Before You Go
Key regulations for hiking in the Adirondack Park
Adirondack Hiking Challenges & Trail Systems
From beginner-friendly patch hunts to epic thru-hikes — find your next adventure
46 Adirondack High Peaks
Summit all 46 peaks originally believed to exceed 4,000 feet and earn the coveted 46er patch. It's the definitive Adirondack hiking bucket list — a rite of passage that draws hikers from across the country to the High Peaks region.
Learn more →Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge
Climb all 27 publicly accessible fire tower observatories spread across the park. Once used to spot wildfires, these restored historic towers now reward hikers with sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding wilderness.
Learn more →Adirondack Fifty Falls Challenge
Visit 50 named waterfalls spread throughout the Adirondack Park. Submit your documentation after completing all 50 and earn a commemorative patch — perfect for waterfall chasers who love exploring off the beaten path.
Visit site →ADK-9 Challenge
Nine dog-friendly hikes on lesser-traveled Adirondack peaks — rewarding views without the High Peaks crowds. The ideal way to explore the region with your four-legged hiking partner in tow.
Visit site →Champlain Area Trails (CATS)
A nonprofit accredited land trust building and maintaining trails along the eastern edge of the Adirondack Park. CATS connects hikers with open land, saves working landscapes, and promotes outdoor access throughout New York's Champlain Valley.
Learn more →Chester Challenge
Six trails within the Town of Chester ranging from easy woodland walks to steep summit climbs. Visit all six and collect the Chester Challenge pin — a great entry point into the hiking culture of the southern Adirondacks.
Visit site →Cranberry Lake 50
Fifty miles of trails looping around Cranberry Lake and deep into the Five Ponds Wilderness — one of the most remote and undervisited corners of the entire park. Perfect for hikers and paddlers craving true solitude.
Learn more →Fulton Chain Trifecta
Summit Black Bear Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Bald Mountain — three accessible peaks in the Old Forge region that are ideal for families and newer hikers earning their first Adirondack hiking patch.
Learn more →Lake George 12ster
More demanding than a 6er, less grueling than the 46 — the 12ster requires summiting 12 specific peaks in the Lake George region. A solid stepping-stone challenge for hikers building their confidence and their patch collection.
Visit site →Lake Placid 9ers
Nine peaks around Lake Placid, each conquerable in a morning or afternoon. Created in 2018 to welcome both seasoned hikers and newcomers to some of the region's most rewarding — and less-crowded — summits.
Learn more →North Country Trail — Hike 100
Hike any 100 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail in a calendar year to earn a free patch and certificate. The trail runs directly through the Adirondack Park — and pets can earn their own dog tag each year too.
Visit site →Northville-Placid Trail
A ~138-mile thru-hike from Northville to Lake Placid, weaving through wilderness areas, past ponds and rivers, over mountains and bogs, and through classic Adirondack villages. The signature long-distance trail of the park.
Learn more →Saranac Lake 6ers
Six hikes designed to introduce people to the trails in and around Saranac Lake — a welcoming entry point into Adirondack hiking culture. Great for first-timers and families exploring this beautiful corner of the park.
Learn more →The TransADK Route
A 236-mile thru-hike through five wilderness areas and eight wild forests — designed to deliver a true Adirondack immersion experience. Officially established in 2013 by Erik Schlimmer, it remains one of the most ambitious routes in the entire Northeast.
Learn more →Tupper Lake Triad
Climb Arab, Coney, and Goodman mountains to earn the Triad patch. A perfect starter challenge for hikers new to the sport — or anyone growing their Adirondack patch and sticker collection with mountains that won't overwhelm.
Learn more →Wonders of Wilmington (WOW)
Six trails around Wilmington capped off with an optional visit to Whiteface Mountain — by foot, car, bike, or gondola. Complete each challenge and register online to earn a 3-inch WOW patch. Pets who join in get their own 2-inch patch.
Visit site →Explore More Adirondack Trails
In-depth trail guides, trip reports, and hiking inspiration from across the entire park.
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