#01
Central Region
Castle Rock
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
1.6 mi
A short Blue Mountain Lake climb to cliffs, small caves, and open views over the lake.
Gain: 440 ft
Open guide
Back to Explore
Seasonal Collection
Top Summer Hikes
Start here for warm-weather hikes: scenic summits, waterfalls, lakes, fire towers, and longer-daylight objectives.
Summer rotation
Nine hikes, easy to hard
This seasonal set is curated park-wide, with short payoff hikes, fire towers, quieter ridges, a major waterfall, and bigger summer summit days.
#02
High Peaks Region
Mount Van Hoevenberg
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
3.6 mi
A Lake Placid-area summit hike with sustainable trail design and broad High Peaks views.
Gain: 1,000 ft
Open guide
#03
Central Region
Blue Mountain Fire Tower
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Fire Tower
Distance
4.0 mi
A classic central Adirondack fire tower climb with rocky trail and a broad tower panorama.
Gain: 1,250 ft
Open guide
#04
High Peaks Region
Mount Adams Fire Tower
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Fire Tower
Distance
4.2 mi
A steep Upper Works-area climb to a historic tower with exceptional High Peaks views.
Gain: 1,250 ft
Open guide
#05
Eastern Region
Moxham Mountain
Difficulty
Moderate Hard
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
5.5 mi
A Minerva-area summit hike with steady climbing, repeated overlooks, and quieter views.
Gain: 1,300 ft
Open guide
#06
Central Region
Peaked Mountain
Difficulty
Moderate Hard
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
5.4 mi
A Thirteenth Lake outing that combines lakeside walking, pond scenery, and a steep final climb.
Gain: 1,500 ft
Open guide#07
Central Region
OK Slip Falls
Difficulty
Moderate Hard
Type
Waterfall
Distance
6.7 mi
A Hudson Gorge Wilderness hike to a dramatic Adirondack waterfall overlook off Route 28.
Gain: 600 ft
Open guide
#08
High Peaks Region
Ampersand Mountain
Difficulty
Moderate Hard
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
5.4 mi
A Saranac Lake 6er with a forested approach, rocky upper climb, and open summit views.
Gain: 1,770 ft
Open guide#09
Northern Region
Jay Mountain
Difficulty
Difficult
Type
Mountain / Summit
Distance
7.5 mi
A northern Adirondack ridge hike with open ledges, cairned travel, and big views away from the busiest corridors.
Gain: 1,950 ft
Open guideSummer planning note
Longer daylight does not remove the variables.
Summer gives you more room to move, but heat, humidity, thunderstorms, insects, crowded trailheads, and water needs still shape the day. Carry more water than you would on a cool hike, build in storm awareness, and do not assume a packed trail means an easy hike.
Related categories