Beartown Loop (MTB).
This brief 0.2-mile loop at Beartown State Forest caters to mountain bikers looking for a quick technical circuit or connector within the broader trail network. The route's minimal distance suggests it functions as a skill feature or linking segment rather than a destination ride. Expect tight turns and rooty Adirondack forest floor typical of the area's singletrack.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,434 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Speculator.
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- Charlie Johns Store1.5 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza1.6 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Oxbow Inn9.1 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- Alpine Grille13.0 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator1.8 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee8.9 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- ADK Blend23.0 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop23.5 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery1.9 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café22.1 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- The Village Scoop22.9 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Cree-Mee Freeze24.6 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain0.8 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery1.9 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store18.5 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Sport Island Pub23.1 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
Stay.
4- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge1.8 mi
A family-owned year-round motor lodge in Speculator, on the route between Lake Pleasant and Indian Lake, with free Wi-Fi and weekly rates. Standard rooms, no frills.
- Inn At Speculator2.2 mi
The Inn at Speculator offers a full-service dining experience featuring classic dishes and local flavors, along with comfortable lodging options including private and shared bath rooms. Breakfast is included for guests.
- Moffitt Beach State Campground2.9 mi
This popular state campground offers 260 sites among tall white pines, with many enjoying direct access to Sacandaga Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages3.2 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
See.
4- Speculator Historical Museum1.7 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Ampersand Christine Falls2.7 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Great Camp Sagamore21.3 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station22.3 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Beartown Loop (MTB)?The Beartown Loop (MTB) is approximately 0.23 miles (0.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Beartown Loop (MTB)?Most hikers complete the Beartown Loop (MTB) in about 10 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 82 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Beartown Loop (MTB)?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Beartown Loop (MTB) is an easy hike (82 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.