Adirondack Rail Trail around town

If you’re like us, you’re ditching the car this summer for a far more appealing alternative. The Adirondack Rail Trail is Saranac Lake’s own backcountry “highway”, a paved pathway perfect for adventurers to get from point A to B while beating the summer traffic. The 34-mile multi-use trail connects you to the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, with scenic views that take you deep in the woods without sacrificing the comfort of a groomed and low-grade trek! Learn the ins and outs of the route and how you can make the most of your journey here and explore the Village of Saranac Lake, via the Adirondack Rail Trail. 

Prep before you go

At the Saranac Lake entrance of the trail, you’ll find a few local businesses dedicated to bringing fun to your ride. Sara-Placid Sled & Spoke, a mainstay for winter-time snowmobile enthusiasts, also serves as an excellent E-bike rental outfit, right along the trail! Riders will be shown how to operate their Class 1 E-bike (it’s pretty straightforward, think of it as an extra electric boost as you pedal), given a rundown of the trail that awaits, and you’re off! Easy peazy. If your tummy’s rumbling before, stop right next door to a great little food truck, MTN CHEF Catering. 

Need a ride? 

If you’re looking for a more traditional approach to the trail via classic bike riding, or you happen to bring your own wheels to Saranac Lake, look no further than Silver Birch Cycles bicycle shop - formerly Human Power Planet Bicycle Shop, under new ownership! The shop is perfectly located right in the middle of downtown and next to one of the coziest coffee shops in the region, Origin Coffee Co. Check out the shop's offerings like bike rentals, full-service tune ups, and repairs. Bring in your ride for a quick tune up and be on your way!

Access attractions

Possibly the best part of the Adirondack Rail Trail is its proximity to everything you could be looking for around town. Attractions are literally steps away, making the rail trail your own little express lane to where you need to go during the busy summer season, no car traffic! 

Recreators can access the Adirondack Carousel, a classic indoor ride featuring 24 hand-carved carousel animals indigenous to the Adirondacks, including “Bug Eye” the blackfly, “Oliver” the otter, or another favorite Adirondack animal. You can also search for the lady bug (the New York State insect) that is carved into each animal! 

The carousel is located in an enclosed pavilion in William Morris Park. Between rides, children and parents can enjoy drawing, board games, playing “dress up” or playing on the playground. Don’t forget to explore the gift shop, filled with carousel apparel, coloring books, vintage toys, and more. You might end up spending hours here before you can make your way back to the trail! 

Further down the trail, you’ll find access to more fun including Kenneth P. Garwood Park, attractions like the Pendragon Theater and Bluseed Studios art gallery, dining options like the Belvedere, a classically Adirondack Italian restaurant, and gas stations scattered around town for snacking opportunities. 

Hit the pavement 

Saranac Lake features possibly the most tranquil part of the Rail Trail, its own paved section weaving across town. Inside the Saranac Lake Village, recreators can take advantage of the smooth surface, ideal for wheelchairs, roller blades, strollers, and anything else on a nice flat, even surface. Of course the rest of the trail offers stellar views, a barely-there gradient, and calm route, but Saranac Lake is where you’ll find the ease of a hard surface for all kinds of adventures, connecting you all across town. 

Find your trails

The Adirondack Rail Trail is perfect for adventurists and outdoor enthusiasts to get to their next trail, without even having to leave their beloved wild surroundings.

Other trail systems that are easily accessed from the trail include The Pines Trail, a unique network of trails over a relatively small area in Saranac Lake, and a bit more of a rugged approach to exploring the terrain in town. These trails are perfect for dog walking or family fun. 

Moody Pond Loop is nearby, with 3.6 miles and 211 ft. of elevation gain to adventure on. The pond is perfect for those who’d like to venture out of town without straying too far, and what’s more, the loop is relatively flat! Baker Mountain Area is also nearby. Recreators can choose to simply explore Berkeley Green to the official trailhead, or decide to take the climb to the top. At the top of Baker Mountain, you’ll find a series of lookouts with spectacular views of Saranac Lake, Lake Flower, and the High Peaks to the east. This little peak looks out to more than 20 major mountains, so have your camera ready. 

Keep exploring!

The Adirondack Rail Trail connects the Village of Saranac Lake with a world of possibilities, from the main streets of your favorite towns to the most popular trailheads, recreators can take full advantage of the Rail Trail’s proximity to it all! In town, connect to Saranac Lake’s River Walk, the Bug Crawl (a scavenger hunt to locate seven different large bug sculptures around town, a luna moth, a mayfly, a monarch butterfly, a dragonfly, a honey bee, a lady bug, and a black fly) or the Walk of Fame, sites around town with their own claims to fame! Don’t forget to stop into our shops, take up some of the local eats, and more when you make your trek!