10 Best Hikes Near Lake Placid, NY

The Lake Placid area is packed with incredible hiking trails, whether you’re looking for quick scenic hikes after work or full-day adventures in the Adirondacks. We spent three weeks based near Lake Placid (in Au Sable Forks), working remotely and hiking before and after work most days.

From low-effort, high-reward viewpoints to challenging climbs with sweeping vistas, this guide breaks down the 10 of the best hikes near Lake Placid, with details on what to expect, dog-friendliness, and helpful tips for making the most of your time in the area.

💡 Want even more hiking options? Check out our companion post with the best effort-to-view ratio hikes near Lake Placid, perfect for when you want big views without a full-day trek.

Table of Contents Hide

Map of the Best Lake Placid Hikes

We’ve pinned each trail on this map so you can see how close they are to Lake Placid and group hikes together efficiently. Many are located near each other, making it easy to combine two or more in one outing. We’ll note those pairings below!

Quick Picks: Best Lake Placid Hikes by Category

• Best Effort-to-View Ratio: Cobble Lookout

• Best Rock Scramble: Balanced Rocks Trail

• Best for Avoiding Crowds: Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail or Bear Den Mountain

• Best Sunrise Stroll: Mirror Lake Path

• Best “Wow” Moment (Short Distance): Silver Lake Mountain

• Best Top-of-the-World Moment (No Hiking Required): Alpine Trail on Whiteface Mountain

• Best Full-Day Bucket List Hike: Indian Head & Rainbow Falls

• Best All-Around Adventure Site: Ausable Chasm

1. Cobble Lookout

Distance: 2.4 miles round trip
Effort-to-View Ratio: Excellent
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

Cobble Lookout tops our list for its stunning views and minimal effort. This is one of the best easy hikes near Lake Placid and a perfect sunrise or sunset trail (especially on dry days).

Why we love it: It’s quick, it’s scenic, and it pairs well with other adventures like the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway or Alpine Trail.

Pro tip: Avoid this one after rain. It gets muddy and slick fast. But when the trail’s dry? It’s one of the best short hikes in the Adirondacks. It also makes for an amazing pre- or post-work trail run!

Other hikes near Cobble Lookout: Bear Den Mountain Trail, High Falls Gorge, and Copperas Pond are all nearby and on your way back to Lake Placid. Both High Falls Gorge and Copperas Pond are relatively quick, easy hikes—though High Falls Gorge does include stairs.

Dog notes: This trail is very dog-friendly. Just keep in mind there are some exposed roots, and after rain, your pup will likely get muddy!

2. Balanced Rocks Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes, but use caution on descent

A quieter alternative to Cascade Mountain, this trail has a fun rock scramble and sweeping views with far fewer crowds. It shares a trailhead with Cascade, so you can do both if you’re up for it.

Why we love it: It’s one of the most rewarding moderate hikes near Lake Placid, challenging but not too long.

Pro tip: Park early (before 8am). Parking is limited, and both trailheads fill quickly. After Balanced Rocks, consider Cascade Mountain or Mt Van Hoevenberg for a full day of adventure. After reaching the Balanced Rocks overlook, turn around and explore the boulders on the right for another scenic (and quieter) view.

Dog notes: The trail is dog-friendly, but the steep rock scrambling on the descent can be tricky if your dog pulls. We let Lincoln off-leash in sections for safety—she’s voice-trained, so that worked for us.

💡 This trail was one of our favorites of the entire trip... fun, scenic, and less crowded than its sister trail, Cascade Mountain. At just over 3 miles round trip, it includes a peaceful forest walk, some steep rock scrambling, and a gorgeous overlook. Cascade Mountain (4.4 miles, also dog-friendly) is right next door, so you can easily hike both in one day. (Cascade starts on the same side of the street as the majority of parking, and Balanced Rocks starts on the other.) After your morning of hiking, stop at Mt Van Hoevenberg on your way back to Lake Placid. You can hike the East Trail, go bobsledding, ride the Cliffside Coaster, grab lunch, or simply explore a Lake Placid Legacy Site.

Main Overlook

Side Overlook

Balanced Rocks

Map with nearby hikes

3. Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

This was another favorite hike near Lake Placid and we had it all to ourselves… even treated with a gorgeous double rainbow at the summit!

Why we love it: It’s quiet, in great condition, and starts at the Olympic site, which makes it perfect for combining with a coaster or bobsled ride.

Pro tip: If you're not hiking with a dog, definitely plan time to experience the Olympic Legacy Site activities like the Cliffside Coaster or Bobsled Experience before or after your hike.

Dog notes: Great for dogs and typically less crowded than other trails.

Double rainbow at the first overlook

Second Overlook

At the base of the Mt Van Hoevenberg Complex

4. Mirror Lake Path

Distance: 2.6-mile loop
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

An easy, flat walk around Mirror Lake that takes you through the heart of downtown Lake Placid.

Why we love it: It’s the perfect morning stroll, especially at sunrise with a coffee from Bluesberry Bakery. (Mid’s Park and Mirror Lake Public Beach are great places to watch the sunrise. Read more about crafting a perfect weekend getaway to Lake Placid here!)

Pro tip: Don't confuse Mirror Lake (in town) with Lake Placid Lake. Walk across the street at the access point to catch a view of both lakes.

Dog notes: Very dog-friendly and great for a relaxed walk or jog.

Mirror Lake Public Beach

Walking Mirror Lake Loop (walking counter clockwise)

Mirror Lake Loop pathway

Lake Placid Lake (view from Access Site)

5. Alpine Trail on Whiteface Mountain

Distance: 0.2 miles (via drive)
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes, with care

One of the shortest hikes near Lake Placid with one of the best views. Start with a scenic drive, then hike the Alpine Trail to the summit.

Why we love it: It’s an easy way to access jaw-dropping 360-degree views without a full-day hike.

Pro tip: Turn around on the stair climb to catch a stunning bird’s-eye view of Lake Placid Lake! And bring layers. It can get windy at the summit.

Dog notes: The stairs can be steep, and the summit is very exposed. Make sure your dog is comfortable with heights and won't pull.

💡 You’ve got two options when it comes to Whiteface Mountain... hike it or drive it. If you’re up for a full-day challenge, you can summit Whiteface the old-fashioned way (trailhead access varies, and it’s a long, strenuous hike). But if you're short on time or energy, we recommend driving the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway to the summit area. From there, you can park, take in the views, and follow the Alpine Nature Trail, a short but steep 1/5-mile staircase climb to the official summit. The panoramic views are incredible either way, and this route is one of the best bang-for-your-buck experiences in the Adirondacks.

6. Bear Den Mountain

Distance: 4.7-mile loop
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

This moderate loop hike offers peaceful forest trails and a beautiful summit view of Whiteface Mountain. You’ll even see the ski lifts across the way!

Why we love it: It’s a less-trafficked alternative to Whiteface Mountain with a great mix of challenge and scenery.

Pro tip: Start early for solitude. We had the summit to ourselves for 45 minutes on a Saturday morning after starting at 8am. And don’t miss a post-hike stop at nearby Adirondack Chocolates!

Dog notes: Great for dogs! There is a relatively steep incline near the summit, but no scrambling like on some other trails.

7. Silver Lake Mountain Trail

Distance: 1.9 miles round trip
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

Short but steep, this trail climbs quickly and delivers a panoramic view that feels massive and dramatic.

Why we love it: We were truly speechless when we reached the summit—one of our favorite views of the whole trip. Perfect for a quick after-work adventure if you're staying nearby.

Pro tip: Be prepared for a good climb and bring grippy shoes. This one’s fantastic for trail runs or quick summit moments, just take your time on the descent.

Dog notes: Quiet and dog-friendly, but the steepness can be tough going down. Keep your pup on a leash or go off-leash only if voice-trained and safe.

💡 This hike was magic. Truly. Silver Lake Mountain is short but steep, so you’ll get a workout on the way up. But the payoff at the summit? Massive. The view stretches across multiple lakes and mountain ranges and somehow just feels big in a way that’s hard to put into words. We hiked this trail multiple times during our stay, and every single time, we were speechless at the top. You climb, climb, climb and then suddenly, boom: one of the best panoramas in the Adirondacks. If this hike were closer to Lake Placid (it’s about a 30-minute drive), it would’ve ranked even higher on our list. Just be prepared: the incline is no joke. But if you're looking to start or end your day with a challenge and a big reward at the top, this one’s a must.

8. Indian Head & Rainbow Falls Trail

Distance: 10 miles round trip
Dog-Friendly: ❌ No

This is one of the most well-known hikes near Lake Placid—and the views are absolutely gorgeous—but it wasn’t our personal favorite. That may have had something to do with our timing: we arrived at the summit in late afternoon, which turned out to be less than ideal for lighting and photos.

Why we love it (and don’t): The scenery is undeniably stunning, and if this trail is on your bucket list, it’s absolutely worth doing. But between the length, permit system, no-dogs policy, and less-than-optimal light at the main overlook during our visit, it wasn’t quite the standout we hoped for.

RTL Tip: Want to hike the Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Loop? Plan ahead. It’s about a 33-minute drive from Lake Placid and requires a parking reservation. If you're heading out early, skip breakfast in town and grab coffee and something to eat on the way at Old Mountain Coffee Company in Keene.

As for timing: recommendations vary, but we’d suggest aiming for midday (around 1–2pm) to catch the best light on both sides of the overlook. We reached the summit around 5pm in August, and while the side overlook was still well-lit, the main view was already in shadow. If we went again, we’d aim to be there earlier in the day.

Dog notes: This trail isn’t dog-friendly, which was a big downside for us. If we’re hiking 10+ miles, we’d love for Lincoln to join, and that’s part of why we preferred other trails on this list.

Trail

Main overlook

Side overlook

9. Ausable Chasm

Distance: Up to 5 miles of trails
Dog-Friendly: ❌ No

Ausable Chasm is part hike, part adventure park. With miles of trails, rafting, tubing, and a ropes-style “Adventure Trail,” this spot makes for a full-day outing and offers something totally different than the other hikes on this list.

Why we love it: It’s a fun, varied experience that feels more like an adventure destination than a traditional hike. Trails take you along dramatic cliffside walkways, suspension bridges, and down into the chasm itself. If you’ve got extra time and want to mix it up, it’s worth the drive.

RTL Tip: Arrive early. We got there about 15 minutes after opening and there was already a line for tickets. By the time we finished the Adventure Trail and got in line for rafting, the wait was nearly an hour. Doors open early, so if you’re visiting on a weekend or peak season day, aim to be one of the first in line. You can easily fill your whole day here, so wear comfy shoes and bring water!

10. Mount Jo & Jay Mountain Lookout

Distance: 2 miles (Mount Jo loop) or 4.7 miles (Jay Mountain Lookout)
Dog-Friendly: ✅ Yes

We didn’t get the chance to hike Mount Jo or Jay Mountain Lookout during our stay, but they came up over and over again in our research as top-rated trails near Lake Placid, especially for scenic views and dog-friendliness.

What we know: According to AllTrails, Mount Jo is a 2-mile loop with big summit views for minimal effort, and Jay Mountain Lookout is a 4.7-mile hike that serves as a great alternative to the longer full Jay Mountain Trail (8.7 miles). Both are dog-friendly, which earns them extra points in our book!

Keep Planning Your Trip to Lake Placid, NY

There’s so much to explore in the Lake Placid area, whether you’re here for hiking, lake time, Olympic history, or cozy cafés.

Here are a few more posts to help you plan:

• ✅ Effort-to-View Ratio Hikes Near Lake Placid

• 🗓️ Our Perfect Lake Placid Weekend Itinerary

• 🎯 6 Best Things to Do in Lake Placid (Besides Hiking)

• 🚗 One-Day Road Trip to Burlington, VT

• 🧀 8 Delicious Stops on a Foodie Road Trip to Stowe, VT

Save this itinerary for a future road trip

Hover over either image below and click on the red “Save” button that pops up in the upper lefthand corner of the image to save this on Pinterest for later. (If you’re on mobile, you might have to tap the image first to see the red ‘Save’ button.)