Shanty Cliffs path.
This short 0.6-mile path climbs to a clifftop overlook in the southern Adirondacks, offering views from a modest perch above the surrounding forest. The route is brief enough for a quick leg-stretcher but gains elevation quickly on the way up. Expect a well-worn footpath that's manageable in under an hour round-trip.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,028 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
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 Store11.1 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 Pizza11.2 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.
- becks TAVERN13.2 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- Alpine Grille13.9 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Sip.
4- Uncle Carl's Coffee10.9 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator11.1 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.
- ADK Blend21.4 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Caffe Vero22.9 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery11.3 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café13.8 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 Parlor19.1 mi
Create a free link in bio with Bio Sites by Squarespace. Showcase your links, earn money, and grow your brand online, all with one link.
- Crossroads Ice Cream19.4 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.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain10.9 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 Store18.4 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…
- Bandstand Brew Works18.5 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Harrisburg Lake9.4 mi
A 12-bedroom group lodge in Stony Creek sleeping up to 42 across 20 beds and 11 full baths, with Alpine-style architecture, lakefront, pool, multiple sport courts, and a historic tavern.
- Black Mountain Lodge10.3 mi
A cabin resort on State Highway 8 in Johnsburg, between Brant Lake and Garnet Lake in the southern Adirondacks. Year-round.
- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge11.1 mi
A family-owned year-round motor lodge in Speculator, on the route between Lake Pleasant and Indian Lake, with free Wi-Fi and weekly rates. Standard rooms, no frills.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages11.2 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls8.3 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum11.3 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.
- North Creek Depot Museum14.2 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 Station14.2 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.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
Add a shot.
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.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →
Frequently asked.
- How long is the Shanty Cliffs path?The Shanty Cliffs path is approximately 0.62 miles (1.0 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Shanty Cliffs path?Most hikers complete the Shanty Cliffs path in about 40 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 663 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Shanty Cliffs path?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Shanty Cliffs path is a demanding hike (663 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.