Adirondack Rail Trail Links Communities Between Scenic Lake Towns
Lake Placid
Adirondack Rail Trail
Distance: 34 miles
The Adirondack Rail Trail stretches for 34 miles between Lake Placid on the eastern end and Tupper Lake on the west, with Saranac Lake along the way. This corridor follows a former rail line that has been transformed into a multi-use trail open to cyclists, walkers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobile riders.
Unlike many recreational paths that only link a few towns, this trail now offers a full line of travel between three Adirondack communities on firm, compacted stone dust and crushed stone surfaces that hold up well in most seasons. Most of the width is generous enough for two-way travel, and the slope stays low through long segments, a benefit from the corridor’s heritage as a railroad grade. Here’s a look at the trail surface on YouTube.
Easy access, plentiful amenities
Riders can plan a single long out-and-back ride or set up support at one end and ride point-to-point. Parking and access are convenient at major towns and intermediate points. Surfaces vary - compact stone dust is most common, and there is a short, paved stretch through Saranac Lake.
The Adirondack Rail Trail threads a variety of settings, from small-town streets to open lowlands and near-forest sections. Starting in Lake Placid, riders can plan a day around Mirror Lake before heading out across the route that moves closer to wetland flats and low hills. Saranac Lake, one of the route’s largest villages, sits roughly one-third of the way west and offers food, bike shops, and community services adjacent to the trail.
Beyond Saranac Lake, open stretches roll through forest edges and along water edges. Lake Clear and North Elba lie near the center of the route, and the final miles approach Tupper Lake, where a historic train depot stands near the western terminus and can serve as a start or finish point for riders planning an out-and-back or shuttle route.
Watch for snowmobiles
In winter, the trail remains open to skis, snowmobiles and perhaps hardy cyclists with knobby tires – Schwalbe makes a good winter tire - and plenty of warm layers.
Local bike shops in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake rent gear and may be able to arrange shuttles, and village cafes are great for rest stops. Trailheads near populated areas typically have parking and trail signage.
The rail trail now serves as a backbone corridor from one Adirondack community to the next, offering connectivity through classic northern New York landscapes. Whether tackling the full 34 miles in a single ride or linking shorter sections with other nearby trails and road routes, this corridor is a significant new addition to the region’s outdoor offerings.
Adirondack Rail Trail — Trail Stats
Trail Name: Adirondack Rail Trail
Location: Northern New York (Adirondack Park)
Total Length: 34 miles
Towns Connected:
Lake Placid
Saranac Lake
Tupper Lake
Surface Type: Compacted stone dust and crushed stone; short paved section in Saranac Lake
Typical Grade: Very low, former rail corridor
Trail Type: Multi-use rail trail
Primary Uses: Cycling, walking, running; winter skiing and snowmobiling
Open Season: Year-round
Primary Access Points:
Lake Placid Depot area
Saranac Lake trailheads
Tupper Lake depot terminus
Cycling in the Adirondacks: Beautiful vistas like Lake Saranac.
What to do when you're not cycling in the Adirondacks.
Adirondack Rail Trail
Distance: 34 miles
The Adirondack Rail Trail stretches for 34 miles between Lake Placid on the eastern end and Tupper Lake on the west, with Saranac Lake along the way. This corridor follows a former rail line that has been transformed into a multi-use trail open to cyclists, walkers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobile riders.
Unlike many recreational paths that only link a few towns, this trail now offers a full line of travel between three Adirondack communities on firm, compacted stone dust and crushed stone surfaces that hold up well in most seasons. Most of the width is generous enough for two-way travel, and the slope stays low through long segments, a benefit from the corridor’s heritage as a railroad grade. Here’s a look at the trail surface on YouTube.
Easy access, plentiful amenities
Riders can plan a single long out-and-back ride or set up support at one end and ride point-to-point. Parking and access are convenient at major towns and intermediate points. Surfaces vary - compact stone dust is most common, and there is a short, paved stretch through Saranac Lake.
The Adirondack Rail Trail threads a variety of settings, from small-town streets to open lowlands and near-forest sections. Starting in Lake Placid, riders can plan a day around Mirror Lake before heading out across the route that moves closer to wetland flats and low hills. Saranac Lake, one of the route’s largest villages, sits roughly one-third of the way west and offers food, bike shops, and community services adjacent to the trail.
Beyond Saranac Lake, open stretches roll through forest edges and along water edges. Lake Clear and North Elba lie near the center of the route, and the final miles approach Tupper Lake, where a historic train depot stands near the western terminus and can serve as a start or finish point for riders planning an out-and-back or shuttle route.
Watch for snowmobiles
In winter, the trail remains open to skis, snowmobiles and perhaps hardy cyclists with knobby tires – Schwalbe makes a good winter tire - and plenty of warm layers.
Local bike shops in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake rent gear and may be able to arrange shuttles, and village cafes are great for rest stops. Trailheads near populated areas typically have parking and trail signage.
The rail trail now serves as a backbone corridor from one Adirondack community to the next, offering connectivity through classic northern New York landscapes. Whether tackling the full 34 miles in a single ride or linking shorter sections with other nearby trails and road routes, this corridor is a significant new addition to the region’s outdoor offerings.
Adirondack Rail Trail — Trail Stats
Trail Name: Adirondack Rail Trail
Location: Northern New York (Adirondack Park)
Total Length: 34 miles
Towns Connected:
Lake Placid
Saranac Lake
Tupper Lake
Surface Type: Compacted stone dust and crushed stone; short paved section in Saranac Lake
Typical Grade: Very low, former rail corridor
Trail Type: Multi-use rail trail
Primary Uses: Cycling, walking, running; winter skiing and snowmobiling
Open Season: Year-round
Primary Access Points:
Lake Placid Depot area
Saranac Lake trailheads
Tupper Lake depot terminus
Cycling in the Adirondacks: Beautiful vistas like Lake Saranac.
What to do when you're not cycling in the Adirondacks.
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