Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail.
This 1.1-mile connector links Pillsbury Lake to the Cedar Lakes in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness, one of the most remote stretches of the Adirondack Park. The trail serves primarily as a backcountry route between two notable water bodies for multi-day trips rather than a destination itself. Expect minimal traffic and primitive conditions typical of wilderness area trails far from trailheads.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,575 ft · live closures appear above
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.
Speculator.
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- Charlie Johns Store10.7 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza10.7 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Oxbow Inn11.3 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- Seventh Lake House14.9 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator11.0 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Tamarack Cafe16.9 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
- Blue Line Coffee House16.9 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
- Uncle Carl's Coffee18.1 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery10.9 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.16.3 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
- Benny’s Ice Cream23.2 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper23.2 mi
A circa-1950s soft-serve and frozen-custard stand locals treat as a permanent fixture — the walk-up window after a day on the Fulton Chain or at the water park. Three daily soft-serve flavors plus around 20 hard flavors.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain10.5 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery11.1 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store18.9 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake19.0 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Moffit Beach Campground9.4 mi
A 247-site DEC campground on Sacandaga Lake near Speculator at 1,730 feet elevation, with flat well-wooded sites under white pines and hardwoods. Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash.
- Moffitt Beach State Campground9.8 mi
This popular state campground offers 260 sites among tall white pines, with many enjoying direct access to Sacandaga Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Wilbur's Cottages9.9 mi
Secluded housekeeping cabins on Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks. Sandy beach, dock, boats. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, fireplaces.
- The Inn on Piseco Lake10.1 mi
Established in 1892 as the Irondequoit Inn, the historic Inn on Piseco Lake is a 600-acre lakefront retreat in the Hamilton County hamlet of Piseco — nine guest rooms, two-bedroom cabins that sleep six, beachfront and wooded campsites, and a restaurant open to the public. The Northville-Placid Trail crosses nearby. A rare survivor of the late-19th-century Adirondack hotel era.
See.
4- Speculator Historical Museum10.8 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Ampersand Christine Falls12.7 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Great Camp Sagamore12.8 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise16.4 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail?The Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail is approximately 1.11 miles (1.8 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail?Most hikers complete the Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail in about 40 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 160 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Pillsbury Lake-Cedar Lakes Trail is an easy hike (160 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.