Adirondack Rail Trail.
The Adirondack Rail Trail is a short, 0.9-mile segment of the larger rail-trail network that follows former railroad corridors through the central Adirondacks. Expect flat, accessible terrain suitable for walking or biking, typical of converted rail grades. This brief section likely serves as a connector or trailhead access point within the broader multi-use trail system.
- Leg-stretcherShort and nearly flat — an hour or less
- Family-friendlyShort, easy, and gentle enough for young legs
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,834 ft · live closures appear above
- CompactedSurface
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Curated trailheads & parking near this route.
Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles — permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Lake Placid.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
Read the Region→
Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- Caffe Rustica1.3 mi
Caffe Rustica in Lake Placid, NY, offers fresh Mediterranean dishes and wood-fired pizzas, prepared by Culinary Institute of America trained chefs.
- West Shore BBQ1.5 mi
West Shore BBQ offers 100% wood-fired barbecue in the Adirondacks, distinguishing itself by using no pellets, soaked chips, or liquid smoke. They exclusively use wood sustainably harvested from within the Blue Line.
- Green Goddess Natural Foods1.6 mi
A market and cafe on Saranac Avenue in Lake Placid with organic groceries, scratch-made soups, salads, and sandwiches, locally roasted coffee, and a weekly Thursday fresh-fish delivery.
- Dack Shack1.6 mi
Low-key venue serving American staples from burgers to seafood plus happy hour & craft beers.
Sip.
4- Simply Gourmet1.6 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
- Origin Coffee1.7 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
- The Coffee Bar1.7 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
- Blue Moon6.6 mi
Blue Moon Café in Saranac Lake offers dine-in, pick-up, and curbside delivery services. Guests can enjoy weekly specials, restaurant menus, baked goods, coffee, grocery items, and adult beverages.
Sweet.
4- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery1.7 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Ben & Jerry's1.7 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Adirondack Corner Store2.6 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream4.0 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery1.8 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
- Top of the Park1.9 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse3.3 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
- RiverTrail Beerworks6.6 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- Whiteface Lodge1.4 mi
A timber-framed Great Camp-style resort on Whiteface Inn Lane in Lake Placid, with luxury suites, full kitchens, a Conde Nast-recognized spa, KANU Dining Room, and indoor recreation including a bowling alley.
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa1.6 mi
A lakefront resort on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid village, with three restaurants (The Cottage, The View, View Lounge), a full spa with float and salt therapy, and a private beach.
- Grandview Lake Placid1.6 mi
Refined resort with golf & lake views, plus an Italian/American restaurant & an indoor pool.
- Placid Bay Hotel1.7 mi
A modern hotel located directly on Lake Placid, offering complimentary watercraft and easy walking access to the Olympic Village.
See.
4- Boots & Birdies1.5 mi
Boots & Birdies is a family-owned, Western-themed fun center in Lake Placid, NY. It offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, a baseball batting cage, and a custom mining sluice for gemstone and fossil mining, providing hours of outdoor act…
- Olympic Center1.6 mi
The hockey arena where the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' happened, now part of a larger Olympic complex with skating rinks, the Olympic Museum, training facilities, and bobsled / skeleton experiences.
- Lake Placid Olympic Museum1.7 mi
Museum focusing on the winter Olympic games & its events, including hockey, skating & curling.
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental2.4 mi
Captain Marney's Boat Rental offers boat and water sports rentals in the Lake Placid, NY area. They provide reasonably priced options for various water enthusiasts, including discounts for multi-day, multi-boat, and group rentals.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Adirondack Rail Trail?The Adirondack Rail Trail is approximately 0.85 miles (1.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Adirondack Rail Trail?Most hikers complete the Adirondack Rail Trail in about 30 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 92 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Adirondack Rail Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Adirondack Rail Trail is an easy hike (92 ft of climbing over the route) — gentle grades suitable for most fitness levels and families. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.