Santanoni Express Trail.
A direct but unmarked route through the forest, this path is reported to offer expedited access toward the Santanoni peaks for those willing to navigate without blazes. The trail's modest length—just over two kilometers—concentrates the approach, making it a swift if demanding passage for experienced hikers comfortable with map and compass work.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~4,537 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.
Lake Placid.
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- Salt of the Earth Bistro14.2 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's14.4 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- ADK Street Eats14.6 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 Pup14.6 mi
A roadside stop offering barbecue, seafood, and casual fare, with a history stretching back over a century.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee14.7 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 Bar15.0 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 Gourmet15.3 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 Moon16.4 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- Adirondack Corner Store14.2 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery14.5 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's14.5 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.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream14.6 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 Brewhouse14.6 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 & Brewery14.8 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 Park15.2 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…
- Bitters & Bones16.6 mi
Saranac Lake's only downtown brewery, restaurant, and bar, Bitters & Bones offers craft beer brewed upstairs, fresh local cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and craft cocktails. It features rooftop decks and unique private event spa…
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House8.6 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Adirondack Loj9.6 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…
- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel13.3 mi
A budget hostel on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid with shared bunkrooms, private motel-style rooms, and a seasonal pop-up camper. Full kitchen, communal dining, fire pit, outdoor deck.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant13.3 mi
A roadside motel and restaurant on Cascade Road between Lake Placid and Keene, with Whiteface views, Italian classics, and ski-out cross-country access from the door.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni5.5 mi
Built by the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni is a publicly-owned National Historic Landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the early Adirondack Great Camp era and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Newcomb Ski Slope9.5 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Cliffside Coaster12.8 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.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience12.8 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.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Santanoni Express Trail?The Santanoni Express Trail is approximately 1.36 miles (2.2 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Santanoni Express Trail?Most hikers complete the Santanoni Express Trail in about 1 hour 30 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 1,758 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Santanoni Express Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Santanoni Express Trail is a demanding hike (1,758 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.