Old Northville-Placid Trail.
This 1-mile ground trail runs unmarked—no blazes, no signs, no hand-holding. The 175-foot elevation gain takes most hikers 34 minutes, though the route sees regular use as a cross-country ski track when snow covers the Adirondacks. It's an easy walk if you can navigate without paint on trees. Bring a map or know where you're going.
- 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 ~2,064 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
- YesSki
- intermediateTrail visibility
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- Salt of the Earth Bistro5.3 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's5.5 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- ADK Street Eats5.5 mi
Food trailer at 1179 NY-86 in Ray Brook, between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. Chef-driven menu of tacos (Carne Asada, Al Pastor), lobster rolls, ADK Spiedies, and Rochester Hot Meats. Tuesday–Sunday.
- Tail O' the Pup5.6 mi
A roadside stop offering barbecue, seafood, and casual fare, with a history stretching back over a century.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee5.7 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 Bar5.9 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 Gourmet6.0 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…
- Blue Moon8.2 mi
Blue Moon Café in Saranac Lake offers dine-in, pick-up, and curbside delivery services. Guests can enjoy weekly specials, restaurant menus, baked goods, coffee, grocery items, and adult beverages.
Sweet.
4- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery5.5 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.
- Ben & Jerry's5.6 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store5.6 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.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream5.8 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Ray Brook Brewhouse5.6 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.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery5.8 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 Park6.1 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…
- RiverTrail Beerworks8.4 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
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…
- Courtyard Lake Placid5.3 mi
A modern chain hotel blending lodge-style comfort with convenient amenities, ideal for those exploring Lake Placid's Olympic sites, Whiteface Mountain, or conducting business in the Adirondacks.
- Meadowbrook Campground5.5 mi
Meadowbrook is the best bargain in town for those visiting the Lake Placid Olympic Training venues and the Village of Lake Placid. Located only 4 miles from the center of town, campers have no shortage of activities available to them.
- Morenos Cottages5.6 mi
Moreno's Adirondack Cabins offers camp-style cabins, cottages, and a vacation home rental in Ray Brook, NY, near Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. They provide one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and pet-friendly options, with some available year-round.
See.
4- John Brown Farm State Historic Site4.8 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower5.1 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.
- 1980 Winter Olympic cauldron5.5 mi
The cauldron associated with the Olympic flame of the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid — a piece of the village's enduring Olympic legacy.
- Olympic Center5.6 mi
The hockey arena where the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' happened, now part of a larger Olympic complex with skating rinks, the Olympic Museum, training facilities, and bobsled / skeleton experiences.
Add to the record.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Old Northville-Placid Trail?The Old Northville-Placid Trail is approximately 0.97 miles (1.6 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Old Northville-Placid Trail?Most hikers complete the Old Northville-Placid Trail in about 35 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 175 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Old Northville-Placid Trail?The Old Northville-Placid Trail is rated easy hiking (SAC T1) — broad, well-marked path suitable for most fitness levels in sturdy shoes. Check current DEC advisories for closures, washouts, or seasonal restrictions before heading out.