Road cycling in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are a road cyclist's dream of quiet two-lanes, big climbs, and lake-and-mountain scenery — the Lake Placid loops (home to the Ironman bike course), Route 73 through the High Peaks, the Ausable valley, Route 9N along Lake George, and the car-free Adirondack Rail Trail. Roads are remote and shoulders thin, so ride prepared. See the full cycling guide →
The classic rides
- Lake Placid loops— the region's cycling capital. The Ironman course rolls out through Keene and Jay and back; shorter loops circle Mirror Lake and the Olympic venues.
- Route 73 — Lake Placid to Keene Valley — the showpiece: through Cascade Pass beneath the High Peaks, past the Cascade Lakes and Chapel Pond. Big descents, bigger views.
- The Ausable River valley (Jay, Wilmington, Au Sable Forks) — gentler valley roads under Whiteface, a favorite for relaxed miles.
- Route 9N along Lake George — the western shoreline from the village north through Bolton Landing and Hague, with lake views the whole way.
- Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway— the region's marquee climb: a toll road that switchbacks toward a 4,000-foot summit, a rare paved ride to the top of a High Peak.
- The Adirondack Rail Trail — car-free, hard-packed, and flat between Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake — the family and gravel pick.
Riding safe & smart
The roads are gloriously quiet, but that's the catch: many are two-lane with narrow or no shoulder, shared with log trucks and RVs, and run for miles with no services or cell coverage. Be highly visible, ride predictably, carry tools, food, and water, and plan your resupply stops around the hamlets. See the things-to-do guide for basing towns, and the events calendar for organized rides and gran fondos.
Frequently asked
What are the best road cycling routes in the Adirondacks?+
The Lake Placid loops (including the Ironman course out toward Keene and Jay), Route 73 through the High Peaks from Lake Placid to Keene Valley, the Ausable River valley, and Route 9N along the west shore of Lake George are the classics. For a climb, the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway toll road tops out near a 4,000-foot summit.
Is the Adirondack Rail Trail good for cycling?+
Yes — the Adirondack Rail Trail between Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake is a wide, hard-packed, car-free multi-use path, ideal for families, hybrids, gravel bikes, and anyone who wants to ride without traffic. It's one of the region's best additions for casual cyclists.
Are there road cycling events in the Adirondacks?+
Yes. Ironman Lake Placid's bike course is a bucket-list Adirondack ride, and the region hosts gran fondos and charity rides through the summer. Check the events calendar for current dates.
Is road cycling safe in the Adirondacks?+
The roads are quiet and scenic, but many are two-lane with narrow or no shoulders, carry log trucks and RVs, and run through remote stretches with no services or cell coverage. Ride single file, be highly visible, carry tools, water, and food, and plan your resupply — help can be far away.
When is road cycling season in the Adirondacks?+
Roughly May through October. Roads clear of snow and sand by mid-spring; September and early October pair cool riding weather with foliage. Summer is warmest but busiest on the popular corridors.