Cliff Mountain Trail.
4-kilometer path ascending Cliff Mountain, this route is entirely unmarked and demands confident navigation through wild terrain. The absence of blazes or signage suggests a trail maintained more by use than by design, one that appeals to experienced hikers comfortable with map and compass work.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,930 ft · live closures appear above
- lwnNetwork
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.
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- Noon Mark Diner10.3 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn10.4 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.
- Salt of the Earth Bistro11.4 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's11.8 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company10.3 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 Coffee12.2 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 Bar12.5 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 Gourmet13.1 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 Store11.0 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's11.9 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 Creamery11.9 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.
- Black Rooster Maple13.2 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery12.1 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 Park12.7 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 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.
- Paradox Brewery16.0 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
Stay.
4- Adirondack Loj5.2 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 Cabins8.7 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 Restaurant9.3 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 Hostel9.3 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 Coaster7.9 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 Experience7.9 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 Site9.8 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower10.2 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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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.
Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →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.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Cliff Mountain Trail?The Cliff Mountain Trail is approximately 0.89 miles (1.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Cliff Mountain Trail?Most hikers complete the Cliff Mountain Trail in about 50 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 702 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Cliff Mountain Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Cliff Mountain Trail is a demanding hike (702 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.