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§ Pursuits / Hiking Trails

Van Hoevenberg Trail

Marked by blue disks and maintained by the NYSDEC, this extensive footpath traverses more than eighteen kilometers through the High Peaks region, offering one of the longer single-trail experiences in the Adirondack backcountry. The route is reported to present varied terrain and often demanding ascents that reward those prepared for a sustained wilderness journey. Its considerable length makes it best suited to experienced hikers seeking a full day's immersion in the mountains, though the trail's character and difficulty are said to shift considerably along its course.

§ Overview

Van Hoevenberg Trail runs 7.7 miles (12.3 km) with about 4,359 feet of elevation gain — a demanding hike, with a sustained climb, about 8 hours on the trail. It reaches 9 named summits — Mount Marcy (5,344 ft), Phelps Mountain (4,161 ft), Tabletop Mountain (4,427 ft), and T R Mountain (3,822 ft) and 5 more. Several are Adirondack High Peaks. NYSDEC maintains the route.

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Length
7.7 mi
Elevation gain
4,359 ft
Difficulty · est.
Demanding
Book time
7 h 53 m
§ Before you go
  • NYSDECOperator
  • lwnNetwork
From OpenStreetMap. Surface + access tags vary by trail.
Loading map…
Elevation profile
Max 5,289 ftMin 2,139 ftNet gain 4,359 ft
5,289 ft2,139 ft0 mi2.8 mi5.7 mi8.5 mi11.4 mi
§ Nearby parking

42 parking areas

Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.

+34 more on the map above

CautionHigh Peaks Region of the Adirondacks

The Mr.

The Mr. Van Ski Trail between the Van Hoevenberg Trail (to Mt. Marcy) and the South Meadow Trail is currently flooded with beaver activity and several bridges missing. Hikers should avoid using this segment of the trail as it is impossible to traverse without wading through various water levels. Hikers choosing to access the Klondike Trail or the Mr. Van Lean-to can access this from the South Meadows Trailhead and South Meadow Trail.

Source: NYS DEC · last updated 17 hours ago

§ On this trail

What you’ll find along the route

Peak
Mount Marcy
5,344 ft46er · No. 1
Peak
Phelps Mountain
4,161 ft46er · No. 32
Peak
Tabletop Mountain
4,427 ft46er · No. 19
Peak
T R Mountain
3,822 ft
Peak
Schofield Cobble
4,970 ft
Peak
Little Marcy
4,718 ft
Peak
Whales Tail Mountain
2,930 ft
Peak
Mount Jo
2,877 ft
Peak
Table Top Mountain
4,304 ft
Pond
Marcy Dam Pond
on route
Lean-to
Marcy Dam #4 Lean-To
on route
Lean-to
Marcy Dam #3 Lean-To
85 m off
Lean-to
Marcy Dam #1 Lean-To
160 m off
Lean-to
Marcy Dam #2 Lean-To
208 m off
§ Listed trailheads nearby

Curated trailheads & parking near this route

Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles. Useful for permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.

§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Old Mountain Coffee Company
8.0 mi away
Restaurant
Noon Mark Diner
8.0 mi away
General store
The Adirondack Popcorn Company
9.9 mi away
Shelter
Marcy Brook Lean-to
0.8 mi away
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (6)
Lakes & ponds (40)
Trails (24)
Shelters (1)
  • Johns Brook Lodge3.8 mi
Lean-tos (89)
  • Marcy Brook Lean-to0.8 mi
  • Marcy Brook Lean-To0.8 mi
  • Avalanche0.8 mi
  • Kagel Lean-to0.9 mi
  • Kagel Lean-To0.9 mi
  • Avalanche Camp Lean-to0.9 mi
  • Marcy Dam #2 Lean-to0.9 mi
  • Marcy Dam #5 Lean-to1.0 mi
Primitive campsites (172)
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.8 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.9 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.9 mi
§ The Field Notes

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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.

02Photos

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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.

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03Field Note

File a report.

Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.

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04Corrections

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Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.

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Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Maintain or steward this trail? Get in touch →
§ Stay near this trail
Van Hoevenberg Cabins — hero image
4.1 miLake Placid

Van Hoevenberg Cabins

River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental — hero image
6.3 miLake Placid

River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental

Keene Valley Lodge — hero image
8.8 miKeene

Keene Valley Lodge

§ From the field guides
All field guides →
§ Frequently asked