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.
Haystack Mountain Trail runs 3.2 miles (5.1 km) with about 1,531 feet of elevation gain — a demanding hike, with a moderate, steady climb, about 2 h 15 min on the trail. It climbs to the summit of Haystack Mountain (2,864 ft). NYSDEC maintains the route.
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.
+94 more on the map above
Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles. Useful for permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.
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