Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue).
5-mile loop at Watch Hill serves both cross-country skiers in winter and foot traffic in warmer months, marked as a blue trail suggesting intermediate terrain. The relatively short distance makes it accessible for a quick workout or family outing without committing to a half-day adventure.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,073 ft · live closures appear above
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.
Indian Lake.
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- McSweeney's Irish Pub6.7 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner11.7 mi
Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner: the best Diner in Indian Lake, NY. Order directly online today for takeout or delivery. Save money, support local business!
- Charlie Johns Store13.6 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 Pizza13.7 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.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop12.2 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
- The PERKS of Speculator13.9 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.
- Waypoint Cafe19.6 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee20.2 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.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery14.0 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 & Café17.3 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand19.1 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- The Park19.1 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store6.7 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake12.0 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain12.9 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery14.0 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…
Stay.
4- Snowy Mountain Inn1.1 mi
Snowy Mountain Inn offers Bed & Breakfast lodging and secluded cottages with lake and mountain views, plus a "guests only" dining room featuring Real Pit Southern BBQ.
- Timberlock1.9 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- The Lorca Adirondacks2.1 mi
A classic Adirondack drive-in lodge rebuilt as a self-check-in contemporary boutique. Eight rooms walled in natural pine, with fire pits, grills, lawn games, a seasonal pool, and a short walk to Indian Lake.
- Camp Driftwood3.9 mi
Camp Driftwood offers 10 unique and comfortable rental cabins on the shores of Indian Lake in the Adirondack Park, providing a serene escape since 1919.
See.
4- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts12.0 mi
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub for creativity in the Adirondacks, offering inspiring performances, gallery exhibits, workshops, and community events for all ages.
- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station12.5 mi
Blue Mountain offers a rewarding fire tower hike in the Central Adirondacks, featuring sweeping views and historical significance, with a world-class museum located at its base.
- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER12.8 mi
Blue Mountain Center is a working community of writers, artists, and activists set in the heart of the Adirondacks, the largest state park in the continental U.S.
- Ampersand Christine Falls12.9 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
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 Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue)?The Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue) is approximately 1.46 miles (2.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue)?Most hikers complete the Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue) in about 50 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 222 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue)?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Watch Hill XC Ski/Foot Loop Trail (Blue) is an easy hike (222 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.