Owls Head Trail.
A brief route of less than a kilometer, this unmarked path demands attentive navigation and an unusual degree of scheduling flexibility. The trail remains closed to public use each weekend, from Friday afternoon at four o'clock through Monday morning at seven, a restriction that significantly narrows the window for exploration.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,126 ft · live closures appear above
- lwnNetwork
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
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- Forty Six2.5 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.
- Ausable Inn4.5 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.
- Noon Mark Diner4.6 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Monday Tuesday Grill4.8 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 Company4.6 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.
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe6.7 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
- Origin Coffee7.9 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 Bar8.1 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.
Sweet.
4- Cedar Run Bakery & Market1.9 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.
- Black Rooster Maple2.3 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Adirondack Corner Store6.8 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.
- Sugar House Creamery6.9 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery7.8 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.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub8.1 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.
- Top of the Park8.2 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…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse12.7 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.
Stay.
4- Dartbrook Lodge2.5 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.
- The Mountain House4.0 mi
Your private escape in the lush Adirondack mountains. Situated above the town of Keene Valley, the large Mountain House property boasts three beautifully appointed, rustic guest houses with updated amenities. Book for family vacations, c…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins4.2 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.
- Keene Valley Lodge4.4 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.
See.
4- Keene Arts2.1 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience5.0 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 Coaster5.0 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.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower6.0 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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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.
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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 Owls Head Trail?The Owls Head Trail is approximately 0.47 miles (0.8 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Owls Head Trail?Most hikers complete the Owls Head Trail in about 30 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 505 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Owls Head Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Owls Head Trail is a demanding hike (505 ft of climbing over the route) — sustained climbing best suited to fit, experienced hikers. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.