Wallface Ponds Trail.
Marked by blue disks and extending just over seven kilometers, this NYSDEC-maintained trail leads into a secluded corner of the Adirondacks where the Wallface Ponds lie cradled in forested terrain.
- Half-day hikeA few hours round trip
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,986 ft · live closures appear above
- NYSDECOperator
- lwnNetwork
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
What the route itself carries.
Summits reached, waters touched, and the lean-tos along the way — read it like a cue sheet, mile posts ascending.
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 Bistro8.4 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's8.7 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Mr. Mike's Pizza8.9 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 Grill9.2 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 Coffee9.1 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 Bar9.3 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 Gourmet9.9 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…
- Old Mountain Coffee Company11.6 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store8.2 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 Creamery8.8 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's8.8 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 Cream10.8 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.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery9.1 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 Park9.6 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 Brewhouse10.5 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 Beerworks13.4 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- Adirondack Loj3.2 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 Hostel7.1 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 Restaurant7.1 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.
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins7.3 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
See.
4- Cliffside Coaster6.4 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 Experience6.4 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.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site7.0 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower7.4 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.
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 Wallface Ponds Trail?The Wallface Ponds Trail is approximately 3.61 miles (5.8 kilometers) — a typical day-hike length.
- How long does it take to hike the Wallface Ponds Trail?Most hikers complete the Wallface Ponds Trail in about 2 hours at a steady pace with roughly 423 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Wallface Ponds Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Wallface Ponds Trail is a moderate hike (423 ft of climbing over the route) — steady climbing that rewards a reasonable base of fitness. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.
- Who maintains the Wallface Ponds Trail?The Wallface Ponds Trail is operated or maintained by NYSDEC (part of the lwn network).