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Once completed, the Adirondack Rail Trail will connect the Adirondacks Region with 34 miles of recreational rail trail from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake and 56 miles in between Tupper Lake and Old Forge through the Adirondack Wildnerness either accessible through rougher and more rural snowmobile trails or summer-only passenger rail service operated through the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society.
The Adirondack Rail Trail is 25.3 miles and runs between Floodwood Rd. in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. The trail is composed of crushed stone, with small sections of asphalt. In Saranac Lake and near Lake Clear, there is a 15mph speed limit.
About the Route
Leaving off from the trail's easternmost endpoint in Lake Placid, and the largest town you will find on the route, the trail heads west. Lake Placid was also the home of the 1980 Winter Olympics. From Lake, the trail dips into the Adirondack Wilderness along a crushed stone surface, skirting alongside Ray Brook and traveling through the woods for most of its route before reaching Saranac Lake. Before heading north into the Village of Saranac Lake, the rail trail crosscuts the lake for Scarface Mountain, a popular hike in the region.
The 2.5 miles of the trail within the village of Saranac Lake are paved and pass by Lake Flower and downtown Saranac Lake, filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, and other worthwhile excursions
The short, 0.5-mile paved, section of the route in Saranac Lake is also known as the Saranac Lake Recreational Path.
From Saranac Lake, the trail passes a number of lakes including Lake Colby, McCauley Pond, and Lake Clear. Little Rainbow Pond and its surrounding wetlands are a scenic highlight of the route, which the trail passes closely by. Another common site along the trail is large boulders, left behind from ancient glacier activity. '
The westernmost edge of the trail skirts the St. Regis Canoe Area, a wilderness area noted for its numerous wild paddling opportunities and ponds dotting the landscape.
The trail comes to its eastern end along Floodwood Rd., where there is also parking.
Trail History
The New York Central Line Railroad, along which the Adirondack Rail Trail was constructed was originally built in 1892 by William Seward Webb. This passenger rail service originally carried users from Utica all the way north to Lake Placid through the scenic and wild Adirondack Mountains.
After many periods of abandonment and disuse, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad opened in 2000 with excursions between Lake Placid & Saranac Lake, Thendara and Carter Station/Moose River, and Utica to Thendara. In 2014, it was officially decided that the route between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid would be converted into a rail trail and passenger rail service would resume between Tupper Lake and Old Forge.
The Adirondack Rail Trail runs between Floodwood Rd. (Saranac Lake) and Lake Placid Train Depot, 242 Station St. (Lake Placid), with parking available at both ends
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
The newly opened section is about 15 miles between Saranac Lake Depot and Floodwood Rd. This section is very scenic, passing along the shores of numerous lakes and ponds. Charlie’s Inn at Lake Clear and Floodwood Outpost at Floodwood Rd are good spots to rest and refuel, in addition to numerous spots in Saranac Lake. Can’t wait for the third section to open next year.
Rode the Saranac Lake to Lake Placid section. Great access on both ends. Trail is very well maintained. Beautiful scenery. Can’t wait for the other two sections to open.
This trail is relatively new. The trail is in great condition with part of it covered with crushed stone and part covered with asphalt. It is pretty much flat with slight up and down grades. The bridges and railings are all in excellent condition. There are numerous parking areas with access to the trail. I started in Lake Placid and could not find any signage indicating where the trail started or where the parking was.
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