Adirondack Branch.
The Adirondack Branch runs 13 miles through the northern Adirondacks, a distance that makes it a full-day commitment or a comfortable overnight. Originally a rail corridor, it now serves hikers and cyclists as part of the region's rail-trail network. Expect level grades and a wide, forgiving tread typical of converted railbeds.
- Full-day hikePlan on a full day out
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,552 ft · live closures appear above
Read the line before you walk it.
The trail in 4 sections.
At 13.0 miles, few hike it in a single push. It breaks into 4 trailhead-to-trailhead sections — tap Favorite to save a stretch, then hike it in the app instead of the whole line.
Sections auto-derived from trailhead & parking access · refined by editors
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
If you’re already out here.
Saranac Lake.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
Read the Region→
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →
Frequently asked.
- How long is the Adirondack Branch?The Adirondack Branch is approximately 13.0 miles (20.9 kilometers) — a long day-hike.
- How long does it take to hike the Adirondack Branch?Most hikers complete the Adirondack Branch in about 7 hours at a steady pace with roughly 1,112 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Adirondack Branch?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Adirondack Branch is a demanding hike (1,112 ft of climbing over the route) — sustained climbing best suited to fit, experienced hikers. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.