Switchback Trail.
Switchback Trail is a short connector at just three-tenths of a mile, the kind of spur or link that gets you from one point to another without much ceremony. The name suggests some grade change packed into that brief distance. Expect it to serve a functional role in a larger trail system rather than stand alone as a destination.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,067 ft · live closures appear above
- DirtSurface
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.
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 Bistro0.9 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's1.1 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Mr. Mike's Pizza1.3 mi
Mr. Mikes Pizza & Italian Kitchen 518-523-9770 Leave a Review Sale Quick View Pizza Rimini Peeled tomato, cheese, mushrooms, red onion, cherry tomato, black olives, rocket $25.00 Original price was: $25.00.$15.00Current price is: $15.00. A…
- The Cabin Grill1.6 mi
The on-site restaurant and bar at The Grand Adirondack, a Tribute Portfolio hotel on Main Street in Lake Placid, with Great Room lobby dining, fireplace seating, and a relaxed bar register.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee1.4 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 Bar1.7 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 Gourmet2.3 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 Moon8.2 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- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery1.2 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's1.2 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store1.3 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 Cream5.5 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- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery1.4 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 Park2.0 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 Brewhouse4.9 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.
- RiverTrail Beerworks8.2 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- Courtyard Lake Placid0.9 mi
A modern chain hotel blending lodge-style comfort with convenient amenities, ideal for those exploring Lake Placid's Olympic sites, Whiteface Mountain, or conducting business in the Adirondacks.
- The Devlin1.3 mi
A hotel on Main Street in Lake Placid with views of the Olympic ski jumps and the High Peaks. Rooms and suites, premium suites with full kitchens, dog-friendly, outdoor pool. Memorabilia from Olympic ski jumper Art Devlin on display.
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa1.4 mi
A lakefront resort on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid village, with three restaurants (The Cottage, The View, View Lounge), a full spa with float and salt therapy, and a private beach.
- Lake Placid Club Resort1.4 mi
A historic resort on Morningside Drive above Lake Placid, with 45 holes of championship golf, a wedding venue with High Peaks views, lodging through the Grandview Hotel, and real-estate offerings across 900-plus acres.
See.
4- Olympic Center1.3 mi
The hockey arena where the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' happened, now part of a larger Olympic complex with skating rinks, the Olympic Museum, training facilities, and bobsled / skeleton experiences.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower1.3 mi
Experience the thrill of Olympic ski jumping history and world-class training at this iconic Lake Placid venue, offering stunning Adirondack vistas from its towering structures.
- 1980 Winter Olympic cauldron1.3 mi
The cauldron associated with the Olympic flame of the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid — a piece of the village's enduring Olympic legacy.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site1.3 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Switchback Trail?The Switchback Trail is approximately 0.26 miles (0.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Switchback Trail?Most hikers complete the Switchback Trail in about 10 minutes at a steady pace. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Switchback Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Switchback Trail is an easy hike (4 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.