Featured Photo by Kacey O' Brien.
Dedicate your autumn weekends to exploring these five easy-to-moderate trails that will get you up close and personal with the foliage. Reach the summit of an Adirondack peak with fall colors stretching out for hundreds of miles before you. Fall is a gorgeous time to hike and a must-do for leaf peepers in the Lake George Area.
The Pinnacle
Trailhead/Parking: Edgecomb Pond Rd., Bolton Landing, NY; 12814
Difficulty: Moderate, 2 Miles Round-Trip
Topping all the lists for the best views in the Lake George Area is the summit of The Pinnacle. This Bolton Landing hiking trail offers a spectacular perspective every season, but it’s all the more breathtaking as the leaves change in autumn. Follow several switchbacks up the steep trail for bird’s-eye views of The Sagamore Resort, Dome Island, and Huddle Bay.
*For more info, check out our Pinnacle Listing.
**For a more personal in-depth look, check out our Pinnacle Hiking Highlight Blog!
Stewart Mountain
Trailhead/Parking: White Schoolhouse Road, Chestertown, NY; 12817
Difficulty: Easy, 0.84 Miles Round-Trip
Sometimes, you can find the best fall foliage views off the beaten path. Chestertown’s Stewart Mountain is a quick out-and-back jaunt to an open summit overlooking Loon Lake. The top of Stewart Mountain has plenty of space for a picnic, and signage here describes the mountains that hikers should be able to spot in the distance, including Lake George Area’s Gore Mountain. This amazing hike is part of the Chester Challenge.
*For more info, check out our Stewart Mountain Listing.
**For a more personal in-depth look, check out our Stewart Mountain Hiking Highlight Blog!
Dean Farm Heritage Trails
Trailhead/Parking: Murray Rd., Stony Creek, NY; 12878
Difficulty: Easy (Mostly Flat), 3.6 Miles, 13 Trails
Walking the Dean Farm Heritage Trails in Stony Creek is an excellent fall family activity. Leaf peep without breaking a sweat; many of the paths are flat and covered in crushed stone with benches and educational signs placed throughout the trail system.
*For more info, check out our Dean Farm Heritage Trails Listing.
**For a more personal in-depth look, check out our Dean Farm Heritage Trails Hiking Highlight Blog!
Palmer Pond Hiking Trail
Trailhead/Parking: 115 Palmer Pond Rd., Chestertown, NY; 12817
Difficulty: Easy, 2.1-Mile Loop & Trails
The lovely stroll to Palmer Pond doesn’t offer much incline, but the blazing leaves hanging over the glassy water are worthwhile. The 2.1-mile loop around this hidden pond is an Adirondack paradise in autumn, with hikers, hunters, anglers, and leaf peepers frequenting the spot annually. The Palmer Pond Hiking Trail is also part of the Chester Challenge.
*For more info, check out our Palmer Pond Hiking Trail Listing.
**For a more personal in-depth look, check out our Palmer Pond Hiking Highlight Blog!
Prospect Mountain
Trailhead/Parking: 75 Smith St., Lake George, NY; 12845
Difficulty: Moderate, 3.2 Miles Round-Trip
To find the finest fall foliage scene of Lake George, consider climbing Prospect Mountain! Beginning in the heart of Lake George Village, this 3.2-mile round trip does have some steep sections on the way to the summit, but the reward at the top is well worth it. There, you'll find breathtaking views of Lake George, Vermont, and the High Peaks, all possessing gorgeous autumn scenery.
If you're not an experienced hiker, consider taking the drive up the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway instead.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
*For more info, check out our Prospect Mountain Listing.
