*Originally Written by Eric Pfau - Sep. 11, 2018
**Edited by Kyle Frenette - Sep. 6, 2024
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
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.
*Check out our Pinnacle Hiking Highlight!
Stewart Mountain
Difficulty: Easy, 0.84 Miles Round-Trip
Sometimes the best fall foliage views are found off the beaten path. Chestertown’s Stewart Mountain is a quick out-and-back jaunt (think 20 minutes) 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.
*Check out our Stewart Mountain Hiking Highlight!
Dean Farm Heritage Trail
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.
*Check out our Dean Farm Heritage Trail Hiking Highlight!
Palmer Pond Hiking Trails
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 Trails are also part of the Chester Challenge.
*Check out our Palmer Pond Hiking Highlight!
Prospect Mountain
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.
