Woods Lake Trail.
A 0.3-mile loop with 16 feet of elevation gain—this is the trail you take when you want to say you moved your legs without actually hiking. Eight minutes gets you around and back, which makes it ideal for families with toddlers, anyone nursing a blister from a real trail, or the person who drove to Woods Lake and realizes they forgot their ambition at home. It's flat, it's short, and it's there when you need it.
- Leg-stretcherShort and nearly flat — an hour or less
- Family-friendlyShort, easy, and gentle enough for young legs
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,450 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.
Great Sacandaga 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- Klippel's Kozy Korner Cafe7.1 mi
India’s largest Food Delivery, Dining and Restaurant Discovery Service. Better food for more people.
- The Local7.4 mi
Fine-dining restaurant in the Great Sacandaga Lake region.
- Alpine Grille7.5 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.
- Lanzi's on the Lake8.2 mi
An Italian restaurant and wedding venue on Route 30 in Mayfield on the Great Sacandaga shore, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large deck, and event capacity up to 200.
Sip.
3- ADK Blend7.4 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee11.3 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 Speculator17.4 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.
Sweet.
4- The Village Scoop7.2 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Cree-Mee Freeze9.6 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- Zippy's Ice Cream10.0 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Mayfield near the Park's southern gateway and Great Sacandaga Lake, known for dense, cold soft serve with weekly flavors like maple and coffee.
- Speculator Creamery17.4 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.
Drink.
4- Sport Island Pub6.9 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
- Sacandaga Spirits9.8 mi
Located in Mayfield, Sacandaga Spirits offers a selection of handcrafted wines, liquors, and ciders. Visitors are invited to experience their local Adirondack offerings.
- Nick Stoner Inn Seafood & Steakhouse10.8 mi
Caroga Lake restaurant at 1810 NY-10 doing hand-cut, in-house steaks, fresh seafood, and a tight made-to-order menu. 19 craft beers on tap, NY Finger Lakes wines. Open Thursday through Sunday; Sunday 11–5.
- Vrooman's Hotel11.5 mi
On the shore of West Caroga Lake, this family-owned hotel and tavern has been a beloved community fixture for generations, serving exceptional dishes and warm hospitality daily.
Stay.
4- The Great Sacandaga Motel6.9 mi
This classic roadside motel offers comfortable, practical rooms for year-round stays in Northville, just steps from the Great Sacandaga Lake.
- Inn At the Bridge6.9 mi
A historic six-room inn on the shore of the Great Sacandaga Lake in Northville, with its own marina, full-property rentals, and a setup built for small weddings.
- The Orendaga7.7 mi
A quaint guesthouse with suites & cabins, with a private lakeside beach & an art gallery on-site.
- Northampton Beach Campground8.0 mi
Northampton Beach Campground is situated on the northwest corner of 29-mile long Great Sacandaga Lake. It offers a variety of large, level camping sites, ranging from secluded spots among white pines to open areas along the sandy shoreline.
See.
4- Grandview Mini Golf10.1 mi
An 18-hole lakeside mini golf course on Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield, with an arcade, ice cream novelties, snacks, and party hosting — reachable by boat or car. Open seven days, noon to 8pm; $8 unlimited all-day play.
- Historic Copeland Covered Bridge10.9 mi
The Historic Copeland Covered Bridge is a 35-foot Queenpost truss bridge built in 1879 by Arad Copeland in Edinburg, Saratoga County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the only covered bridge remaining in Saratoga C…
- Speculator Historical Museum17.6 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.
- Ampersand Christine Falls18.3 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Woods Lake Trail?The Woods Lake Trail is approximately 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Woods Lake Trail?Most hikers complete the Woods Lake Trail in about 10 minutes at a steady pace. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Woods Lake Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Woods Lake Trail is an easy hike (16 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.