Fall Hikes for Every Level of Hiker

The Adirondacks are calling, and autumn is the perfect time to answer!

Crisp air, vibrant foliage, and golden light turn every trail into a masterpiece. From peaceful woodland strolls under canopies of red and gold to summit climbs with sweeping fall views, this season is bursting with hiking adventures for every kind of explorer. First-timer? We’ve got you. Trail regular? You’ll find new favorites. Peak chaser? Your next challenge is waiting. No matter your level, Lake Placid is the ultimate launch point for fall adventure. And when the day’s trek is done, High Peaks Resort is here to welcome you back with comfort, relaxation, and insider tips to fuel tomorrow’s journey.

Meanderer: "I'm Not a Hiker, But I Love to Walk in Nature"

Henry's Woods

Henry's Woods is a two-mile drive from High Peaks Resort, making it a great place to go for a hike with kids or anyone who has limited hiking experience. The nature path offers a groomed hiking experience over a two-mile loop with a couple of trails that shoot off to offer scenic views before threading back into the main loop.

John Brown Farm State Historic Site

John Brown Farm State Historic Site is the former home and final resting place of famed abolitionist, John Brown. The scenic spot is open year-round for hiking. Enjoy three interconnected trails about three miles from High Peaks Resort. Explore the Potato Field Loop at 1.8 miles round-trip, the Maple Grove Trail at 0.3 miles round-trip, and the Ski Jump Trail that is just under a mile round-trip. For scenic views and classic Adirondack forests and landscapes without traveling too far from town, these trails are perfect.

High Falls Gorge

High Falls Gorge is an eight-mile drive from the resort in the neighboring town of Wilmington, where Whiteface Mountain ski center is located. Experience the beauty and awe of walking along cliff sides and waterfalls at this scenic spot. The Gorge is a top attraction for the Lake Placid area, offering a cafe and shop, as well as year-round activities like summer hiking and winter snowshoeing. Explore the half-mile walk along the gorge, over walkways and bridges, groomed paths, and viewing platforms.

Beginner: From "I've Never Hiked Before" to "I've Hiked a Few Times When I Had To"

Silver Lake Mountain

Silver Lake Mountain may be a short hike, but it’s packed with rewards. Just under a mile to the summit, the trail leads to sweeping views of Silver Lake and the surrounding Adirondack peaks, making it a perfect introduction to fall hiking or a quick adventure with plenty of payoff. With colorful foliage spread out below, it’s an easy favorite for families and casual hikers.

Mount Van Hoevenberg

For a beginner hike with a big Adirondack feel, the East Trail from the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex is a perfect choice. The 3.6-mile round-trip route winds through peaceful forest and ends with sweeping views of the High Peaks, framed by brilliant fall foliage. Best of all, the Sports Complex makes the adventure especially welcoming with bathrooms, food, and plenty of space to enjoy a full day of recreation before or after your hike (but not on the trails).

Cobble Lookout

Cobble Lookout is a short and easy 2.4-mile hike that delivers an incredible reward. The gentle trail winds through the forest before opening to a broad ledge with sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains. Especially stunning in fall, it’s a perfect option for families, casual hikers, or anyone looking for a quick Adirondack adventure with big scenery.

Intermediate: From "I Like Hiking" to "I Could Get Into This"

Hopkins Mountain

A true intermediate adventure, Hopkins Mountain offers a steady challenge with a big Adirondack payoff. The 6-mile round-trip climb brings you to a wide-open summit with striking views of the surrounding High Peaks. It’s a rewarding next step for hikers looking to go beyond beginner trails, especially when the valleys below are painted in peak fall color.

Rooster Comb Mountain

Rooster Comb is a 5-mile round-trip hike that’s tailor-made for hikers stepping into the intermediate range. The trail skirts a small pond before climbing steadily with sweeping views of Mount Marcy and Giant Mountain. In fall, the colorful canopy below creates a spectacular backdrop, making Rooster Comb a favorite for those ready to push a little farther without committing to a High Peak.

Balanced Rocks

Part of the Pitchoff Mountain trail, Balanced Rocks is an intermediate hike that delivers a big reward (and photo perfect for your Instagram) for a relatively short climb. The 3-mile round trip leads to two massive glacial erratics perched on an open ledge, where you’ll find stunning views of Cascade Mountain and the surrounding High Peaks. It has a steady but managable ascent that end in a steep climb, it’s an ideal warm-up for anyone planning to take on the bigger Adirondack peaks.

Expert: "Hiking is Life"

Catamount Mountain

Catamount Mountain may not be one of the 46 High Peaks, and in terms of distance, it is shorter than some of the easier hikes on this list, but don’t let that fool you; much of this hike is a steep and challenging climb that demands some hand-and-foot scrambling near the top. The 3.8-mile round-trip trail rewards that effort with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys ablaze in fall color. Rugged and exciting, Catamount is perfect for hikers looking for a shorter but still demanding adventure.

McKenzie Mountain

At just under 10 miles round trip, McKenzie Mountain is a serious undertaking with rugged terrain and plenty of steep sections. The trail tests your endurance but rewards you with striking views of the High Peaks, Whiteface, and the lakes scattered around Saranac Lake. In autumn, the sweeping valleys below burst with color, making the tough climb feel all the more worthwhile for seasoned hikers.

Giant Mountain

One of the Adirondack 46, Giant Mountain lives up to its name with a challenging 6-mile round-trip climb that gains over 3,000 feet of elevation. The steep ascent is demanding, but the open summit delivers panoramic views of the Great Range and Lake Champlain. In fall, the vast sweep of color across the High Peaks makes Giant one of the most unforgettable hikes in the Adirondacks.

Hiking Challenges

Lake Placid 9ers

The Lake Placid 9er challenge is a hiking gauntlet throwdown for all who enjoy bagging peaks without traveling too far from your home base or encountering large crowds of hikers! Enjoy a fire tower hike, a trip to the historic Adirondack Loj, and views of some of the most iconic landscapes in the Adirondacks. The peaks are: Cobble Hill, Mt. Jo, Baxter Mountain, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Big Crow Mountain, Bear Den Mountain, Pitchoff Mountain, Catamount Mountain, and Hurricane Mountain. Hike all nine and get a 9er patch.

Saranac 6ers

The Saranac Six is a series of mountain summits that anyone who aspires to be a Saranac Lake 6er must complete! You can be an Ultra 6er, someone who hikes every peak in one day, or take your time and complete the challenge over a couple of visits in different seasons. Once you've conquered Baker, St. Regis, Scarface, Ampersand, Haystack, and McKenzie (15,080-feet total in elevation) ring the 6er Bell on the Berkeley Green in downtown Saranac Lake!

Tupper Lake Triad

The Tupper Lake Triad is a new hiking challenge that includes Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain. Mount Arab is a two-mile round-trip hike with a fire tower at the summit for incredible views of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Coney Mountain promises great views for minimum effort on the 2.2-mile round-trip hike. Finally, Goodman Mountain at 2.4 miles round-trip features sprawling views from the summit. Register, complete all three hikes on the Triad Roster, and get a cool hiking patch!

Whatever your level of ability, always remember to leave no trace and use Lake House at High Peaks Resort as your hiking basecamp when you come to the Adirondacks.

Fall in the Adirondacks is unforgettable, and the fiery maples you’ll pass on your hikes are only the beginning. With our Mountains & Maple package, you can take home a taste of that brilliance in the form of locally crafted Adirondack maple syrup. Pair your autumn adventure with a sweet souvenir and let every drizzle on your pancakes bring you back to the trails. Book your Mountains & Maple getaway today and turn your fall escape into a story worth savoring!