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AdirondackRegion.com

Haystack Mountain Trail

Winding through the rugged terrain of the Adirondack High Peaks, this challenging route traverses approximately 5.1 kilometers of steep, forested slopes before emerging onto one of the region's most celebrated summits. The trail, maintained by the NYSDEC and marked with blue disks, is reported to offer expansive views that reward those willing to tackle its demanding ascent. Though the path requires stamina and care, particularly in the upper reaches where the grade steepens considerably, it remains among the more accessible of the High Peaks climbs for experienced hikers seeking alpine exposure without technical difficulty.

Length
3.2 mi
Operator
NYSDEC
Network
lwn
Difficulty
Not rated
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Elevation profile
Max 2,854 ftMin 1,624 ftNet gain 1,531 ft
2,854 ft1,624 ft0 mi0.8 mi1.6 mi2.4 mi3.2 mi
§ On this trail

What you’ll find along the route

Peak
Haystack Mountain
2,864 ft
§ Listed trailheads nearby

Curated trailheads & parking near this route

Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles. Useful for permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.

§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Simply Gourmet
3.0 mi away
Restaurant
ADK Street Eats
1.0 mi away
General store
The Adirondack Popcorn Company
3.8 mi away
Shelter
Placid Lean-To
1.7 mi away
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (11)
Lakes & ponds (27)
Trails (24)
Shelters (3)
  • Wilderness Inn Restaurant Bar12.1 mi
  • The Vic14.0 mi
  • Johns Brook Lodge14.1 mi
Lean-tos (115)
  • North Shore Taylor Pond Lean-To15.5 mi
  • Lake Placid Site 2 Lean-To5.3 mi
  • Saranac Islands Site 81 Lean-To11.0 mi
  • Howard Lean-to14.1 mi
  • Beaver Point #213.4 mi
  • Calamity Lean-to13.7 mi
  • Flowed Lands Lean-to13.9 mi
  • Herbert Brook Lean-to13.5 mi
Primitive campsites (426)
  • Moose Creek Site4.2 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 34.3 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 44.3 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 74.5 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 84.6 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 24.7 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 14.7 mi
  • Moose Pond Site 94.9 mi
§ Nearby parking

343 parking areas· 1 accessible

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.

+335 more on the map above

§ The Field Notes

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§ Nearby vacation rentals

Closest cabins, camps & lakefront rentals

§ More field guides

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§ Frequently asked