Avalanche Pass Trail.
Carving a path through one of the High Peaks' most dramatic corridors, this yellow-blazed route extends nearly six kilometers between Adirondack Loj and Lake Colden, threading between the sheer walls of Mount Colden and Avalanche Mountain.
- Half-day hikeA few hours round trip
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,169 ft · live closures appear above
- NYSDECOperator
- lwnNetwork
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
What the route itself carries.
Summits reached, waters touched, and the lean-tos along the way — read it like a cue sheet, mile posts ascending.
- MI 0.0Whales Tail Mountain2,930 ft0.57 mi off
- MI 0.0Marcy Dam Pond310 ft off
- MI 0.9Avalancheon the trail
- MI 2.1Avalanche Mountain3,809 ft1100 ft off
- MI 2.2Mount Colden4,714 ft · 46er No. 110.53 mi off
- MI 2.2Avalanche Lakeon the trail
- MI 3.3Lake Colden480 ft off
- MI 3.5Beaver Point #1540 ft off
- MI 3.6Herbert Brook Lean-To0.30 mi off
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- Salt of the Earth Bistro8.0 mi
A small reservation-required bistro on Sentinel Road in Lake Placid, serving twisted takes on traditional dishes including a signature peanut stew. Parties of six or fewer.
- Lisa G's8.4 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Noon Mark Diner8.4 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn8.4 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company8.4 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
- Origin Coffee8.8 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 Bar9.1 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.
- Simply Gourmet9.8 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…
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store7.6 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.
- Ben & Jerry's8.5 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery8.5 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.
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market10.3 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery8.8 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 Park9.4 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 Brewhouse11.6 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 Beerworks14.8 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- Adirondack Loj1.9 mi
Adirondak Loj is a lodging and camping facility operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in Lake Placid, New York. It serves as a hub for outdoor programs and access to the High Peaks region, offering accommodations and information f…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins5.2 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant5.8 mi
A roadside motel and restaurant on Cascade Road between Lake Placid and Keene, with Whiteface views, Italian classics, and ski-out cross-country access from the door.
- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel5.8 mi
A budget hostel on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid with shared bunkrooms, private motel-style rooms, and a seasonal pop-up camper. Full kitchen, communal dining, fire pit, outdoor deck.
See.
4- Cliffside Coaster4.4 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience4.4 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site6.4 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower6.7 mi
Experience the thrill of Olympic ski jumping history and world-class training at this iconic Lake Placid venue, offering stunning Adirondack vistas from its towering structures.
Add to the record.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Avalanche Pass Trail?The Avalanche Pass Trail is approximately 3.57 miles (5.7 kilometers) — a typical day-hike length.
- How long does it take to hike the Avalanche Pass Trail?Most hikers complete the Avalanche Pass Trail in about 2 hours 15 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 1,128 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Avalanche Pass Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Avalanche Pass Trail is a moderate hike (1,128 ft of climbing over the route) — steady climbing that rewards a reasonable base of fitness. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.
- Who maintains the Avalanche Pass Trail?The Avalanche Pass Trail is operated or maintained by NYSDEC (part of the lwn network).
- What peaks does the Avalanche Pass Trail reach?The Avalanche Pass Trail reaches 3 named summits — see the trail page for the specific peaks and the order they are climbed.
- Which specific peaks does Avalanche Pass Trail reach?Avalanche Pass Trail reaches 3 peaks: Avalanche Mountain, Mount Colden, Whales Tail Mountain.