Santanoni Ledge Trail.
This 200-foot rock ledge climbs straight up the mountain on ground so steep that coming down is harder than going up. The exposure and angle make it one of the more technical scrambles in the Santanoni Range. Your knees will remember the descent long after your lungs forget the climb.
- Leg-stretcherShort and nearly flat — an hour or less
- Ice and snow linger above 3,000 ft — carry microspikes even when the trailhead is bare.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,976 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
- 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 Bistro14.7 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.
- ADK Street Eats14.8 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 Pup14.9 mi
A roadside stop offering barbecue, seafood, and casual fare, with a history stretching back over a century.
- Lisa G's15.0 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee15.3 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 Bar15.5 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 Gourmet15.8 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 Moon16.5 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.
— 15.3 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store14.7 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 Cream14.8 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery15.0 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's15.1 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.
Drink.
4- Ray Brook Brewhouse14.9 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 & Brewery15.3 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 Park15.8 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…
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies16.7 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House8.3 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 Loj10.3 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…
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #7013.3 mi
Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers primitive, boat-access-only island campsites on Lower Saranac Lake, providing extensive boater recreation and access to four additional lakes via a system of locks.
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground Campsite 7113.4 mi
Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers primitive, boat-access-only camping on Lower Saranac Lake. It provides extensive boater recreation and direct access to four other lakes via a system of locks.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni5.2 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 Slope9.0 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Cliffside Coaster13.5 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 Experience13.5 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.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Santanoni Ledge Trail?The Santanoni Ledge Trail is approximately 0.04 miles (0.1 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How difficult is the Santanoni Ledge Trail?The Santanoni Ledge Trail is rated demanding mountain hiking (SAC T3) — exposed sections possible, surefootedness required, not for inexperienced hikers. Check current DEC advisories for closures, washouts, or seasonal restrictions before heading out.