Only Way Trail (Blue).
Only Way Trail (Blue) covers half a mile through what its name suggests — a single-track route with no branching options. The short distance makes it accessible for a quick leg-stretcher or connector between longer segments. Blue blazing keeps navigation straightforward on this brief woodland passage.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,594 ft · live closures appear above
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What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Schroon Lake.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
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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- Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room2.6 mi
Please call 518-494-5800 for reservations, or to check for takeout and walk in availability.
- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar6.2 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
- DeCesare's Pizzeria6.9 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Pitkins Restaurant7.6 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
Sip.
3- 9 Mile Coffee Co7.5 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes7.6 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Caffe Vero23.9 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream2.6 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream7.2 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café7.5 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor7.7 mi
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Drink.
4- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar2.7 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern7.4 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Flanagan's Pub & Grill7.5 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- The Hub7.7 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
Stay.
4- Wakonda Family Campground4.2 mi
Wakonda Family Campground is a cooperative established in 1990, offering 132 campsites and 16 cottages on 82 acres. It features frontage on both private Lake Wakonda and the Schroon River.
- Adirondack Pines Bed & Breakfast5.3 mi
Adirondack Pines offers lodging in an 1837 country farmhouse B&B and a renovated 3-bedroom vacation rental house, located minutes from Schroon Lake and area attractions.
- Park Mountain Campground5.9 mi
Park Mountain Campground is a family-owned RV and tent campground with 15 spacious sites in the Adirondack Mountains, less than a mile from Schroon Lake and near the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area.
- The Lodge at Loon Lake6.4 mi
A small lodge on Route 8 in Chestertown, on Loon Lake in the southern Adirondacks, with cabin-style accommodations and lake access. Year-round.
See.
4- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves0.6 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- North Creek Depot Museum7.3 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station7.3 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- Town of Horicon Museum7.7 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Only Way Trail (Blue)?The Only Way Trail (Blue) is approximately 0.49 miles (0.8 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Only Way Trail (Blue)?Most hikers complete the Only Way Trail (Blue) in about 15 minutes at a steady pace. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Only Way Trail (Blue)?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Only Way Trail (Blue) is an easy hike — 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.