Distance:
- 10 miles, out and back from Lake Placid to Ray Brook
- Or 9 miles from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake
Highlights:
Eventually, when it’s completed, The Adirondack Rail Trail is planned to be 34-miles long. Already, a 9-mile stretch connects Lake Placid to Saranac Lake.
If 18 miles is a little too much, especially during the short winter days, Ray Brook Brewhouse makes for a delicious halfway point amidst miles of uninterrupted tranquility.
Starting Line:
The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society not only provides ample parking but also several well-maintained porta potties at the beginning of the trail from Lake Placid.
Route:
From there, it’s pretty impossible to get lost— the trail is very flat and very compacted with minimum intersections. In fact, it’s really easy to miss the path to Ray Brook. BikeADK has a fantastic interactive map that shows how the trail connects to Meadowbrook Campground.
About 4 miles from the historical society, there will be a little dirt incline on your right. That’s it. Don’t miss it.
If you see a sign for the Scarface Hiking Trail, you’ve gone too far to make a stop at Ray Brook.
Warm up at Ray Brook Brewhouse with friendly faces, delicious craft beer, and some tator tot “brewtine.”
Finish Line:
Finding the way back to the trail from Ray Brook is a little easier—through the campground, follow the sign that literally says “Trail.”
