Hedgehog Trail.
Winding through just over two kilometers of forest, this yellow-blazed path offers a modest but rewarding traverse of terrain characteristic of the central Adirondacks. The route is marked by yellow disk blazes and maintained as part of the state's trail network, providing access to woodland that, while not remote, retains much of the region's quiet character.
- Leg-stretcherShort and nearly flat — an hour or less
- Family-friendlyShort, easy, and gentle enough for young legs
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,343 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.
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 Diner2.6 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn2.8 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 Six6.6 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.
- Monday Tuesday Grill10.6 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company2.6 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.
- Counter Space11.7 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe11.8 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe11.9 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple6.7 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market7.0 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 Store10.6 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's11.7 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 & Brewery11.9 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 Park12.5 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 Pub14.4 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.
- Paradox Brewery15.3 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
Stay.
4- Rooster Comb Inn2.7 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 Lodge2.9 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.
- Dartbrook Lodge6.6 mi
A small lodge on Route 9N in Keene offering individually furnished cottages and suites in the Great Camp tradition, many with kitchens and private porches. The High Peaks trailheads start a few miles up the road.
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins6.7 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.
See.
4- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience6.8 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 Coaster6.8 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 Arts6.8 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower7.5 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
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 Hedgehog Trail?The Hedgehog Trail is approximately 1.38 miles (2.2 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Hedgehog Trail?Most hikers complete the Hedgehog Trail in about 50 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 217 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Hedgehog Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Hedgehog Trail is an easy hike (217 ft of climbing over the route) — gentle grades suitable for most fitness levels and families. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.
- Who maintains the Hedgehog Trail?The Hedgehog Trail is operated or maintained by NYSDEC (part of the lwn network).