Big Slide Trail.
A distinctive path through the Adirondack landscape, this trail stretches just over three kilometers and is maintained by the NYSDEC. Red round blazes mark its course, guiding hikers through terrain that offers a focused exploration of the region. Though modest in length, the route provides access to elevations and perspectives characteristic of the High Peaks area.
- Ice and snow linger above 3,000 ft — carry microspikes even when the trailhead is bare.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~4,190 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 0.0Wm. G. Howard Lean-To630 ft off
- MI 1.7Big Slide Mountain4,240 ft · 46er No. 270.25 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.
Keene.
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- Noon Mark Diner4.0 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn4.1 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.
- Forty Six7.2 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- Salt of the Earth Bistro9.8 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.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company4.0 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 Coffee10.5 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 Bar10.8 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 Gourmet11.6 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…
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple7.2 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market7.4 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store9.1 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's10.2 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.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery10.4 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 Park11.0 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…
- R.F. McDougall's Pub14.1 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse14.4 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.
Stay.
4- Rooster Comb Inn4.0 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Keene Valley Lodge4.2 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins5.3 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.
- Adirondack Loj5.6 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…
See.
4- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience5.1 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.
- Cliffside Coaster5.2 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.
- Keene Arts7.3 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site8.3 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
Add to the record.
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Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Big Slide Trail?The Big Slide Trail is approximately 2.02 miles (3.3 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Big Slide Trail?Most hikers complete the Big Slide Trail in about 2 hours at a steady pace with roughly 1,880 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Big Slide Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Big Slide Trail is a demanding hike (1,880 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.
- Who maintains the Big Slide Trail?The Big Slide Trail is operated or maintained by NYSDEC (part of the lwn network).
- What peaks does the Big Slide Trail reach?The Big Slide Trail reaches one named summit.
- Which specific peaks does Big Slide Trail reach?Big Slide Trail reaches 1 peak: Big Slide Mountain.