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Cranberry Lake 50 Loop Trail

A nearly 128-kilometer circuit through the western Adirondacks, this loop unfolds across a fascinatingly glaciated landscape of old-growth forest, backcountry ponds, and remote campsites that reward the effort required to reach them. The route is reported to be among the more demanding multi-day treks in the park, its length and isolation testing stamina as much as navigation. Those who complete the circuit often speak of both the achievement and the quieter gift: a spirit renewed by days spent moving through country that feels, for long stretches, genuinely apart.

§ Overview

Cranberry Lake 50 Loop Trail runs 48.7 miles (78.4 km) with about 9,887 feet of elevation gain — a demanding hike, with a gentle, rolling grade, about 44 h 30 min on the trail. It reaches 3 named summits — High Rock (1,762 ft), Cat Mountain (2,267 ft), and Threemile Mountain (2,093 ft). The trail is a regional hiking route.

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Length
48.7 mi
Elevation gain
9,887 ft
Difficulty · est.
Demanding
Book time
44 h 33 m
§ Before you go
  • rwnNetwork
From OpenStreetMap. Surface + access tags vary by trail.
§ Do it in pieces

The trail in 4 sections.

At 48.7 miles, few hike it in a single push. It breaks into 4 trailhead-to-trailhead sections — tap Favorite to save a stretch, then hike it in the app instead of the whole line.

Sections auto-derived from trailhead & parking access · refined by editors

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Elevation profile
Max 2,044 ftMin 1,467 ftNet gain 9,887 ft
2,044 ft1,467 ft0 mi19.8 mi39.6 mi59.4 mi79.2 mi
§ Nearby parking

27 parking areas

Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.

+19 more on the map above

§ On this trail

What you’ll find along the route

Peak
High Rock
1,762 ft
Peak
Cat Mountain
2,267 ft
Peak
Threemile Mountain
2,093 ft
Pond
Cat Mountain Pond
418 ft off
Pond
Glasby Pond
448 ft off
Pond
Curtis Pond
0.10 mi off
Stream
Skate Creek
0.11 mi off
Stream
South Flow
0.13 mi off
Pond
Spectacle Pond
0.14 mi off
Pond
Olmstead Pond
0.14 mi off
Pond
Cowhorn Pond
0.15 mi off
§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Waypoint Cafe
23.8 mi away
Restaurant
The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club
17.9 mi away
General store
ADK Trading Post
23.2 mi away
Shelter
Olmstead Pond Lean-To
2.0 mi away
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (8)
Lakes & ponds (32)
Trails (15)
Lean-tos (28)
  • Olmstead Pond Lean-To2.0 mi
  • Olmstead Pond Lean-To2.0 mi
  • CL 412.3 mi
  • Inlet Flow Lean-To2.3 mi
  • Janacks Landing Lean-To3.6 mi
  • Janacks Landing Lean-To3.6 mi
  • Bear Mountain Lean-to3.7 mi
  • Bear Mountain Lean-To3.7 mi
Primitive campsites (311)
  • Cranberry Lake Campsite 180.8 mi
  • CL 180.8 mi
  • CL 260.9 mi
  • Shanty Rock Flow Primitive Campsite 260.9 mi
  • CL 311.0 mi
  • Campsite 311.0 mi
  • CL 271.1 mi
  • ND CS1.1 mi
§ The Field Notes

Add to the record.

§ Reader account
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Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Maintain or steward this trail? Get in touch →
§ Stay near this trail
The Lodge at Seveys
12 miTupper Lake

The Lodge at Seveys

§ From the field guides
All field guides →
§ Frequently asked