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- Mount Marcy — New York’s highest point (5,344 ft), so the payoff is literal: an exposed, windswept alpine summit with sweeping views across the High Peaks and the tiny, glacial Lake Tear of the Clouds (the Hudson’s headwaters). It’s a long, often muddy day hike if you come from Van Hoevenberg, but the alpine plants, stone slabs and that sense of being on top of the state make the effort worth it.
- Algonquin Peak — The second-highest peak (5,114 ft) with a brutally steep, short trail that dumps you into true alpine tundra. The ridgeline views of the Great Range and neighboring Marcy are dramatic at sunrise; you’ll feel like you’re walking on a mountaintop island. It’s raw, exposed, and less forested than many Adirondack hikes — great for wide panoramas.
- Cascade Mountain — A classic “quick,
- Mount Marcy — New York’s highest point (5,344 ft), so the payoff is literal: an exposed, windswept alpine summit with sweeping views across the High Peaks and the tiny, glacial Lake Tear of the Clouds (the Hudson’s headwaters). It’s a long, often muddy day hike if you come from Van Hoevenberg, but the alpine plants, stone slabs and that sense of being on top of the state make the effort worth it.
- Algonquin Peak — The second-highest peak (5,114 ft) with a brutally steep, short trail that dumps you into true alpine tundra. The ridgeline views of the Great Range and neighboring Marcy are dramatic at sunrise; you’ll feel like you’re walking on a mountaintop island. It’s raw, exposed, and less forested than many Adirondack hikes — great for wide panoramas.
- Cascade Mountain — A classic “quick, rewarding” climb (about 2-3 hours round trip for fit hikers) with big views of Lake Placid and Whiteface. The trail is steep and rocky but forgiving in length, which makes it perfect when you want summit views without a multi-day slog. Expect crowds on clear weekend mornings.
- Giant Mountain + Rocky Peak Ridge — My personal favorite. The approach up Giant gives that cliff/chasms feel the Adirondacks do so well, then the Rocky Peak Ridge traverse delivers long, exposed ridgeline walking and relentless vistas over the Great Range and Lake George region. It feels more remote and alpine than its elevation suggests, with real ridge-walker satisfaction and fewer people than the most famous High Peaks.
- Ausable Lakes & Avalanche Pass — A gentler, gorge-and-lake experience compared with the bare summits: glacially carved cliffs, tight canyons, and a pair of glassy lakes framed by steep walls. The trail winds through old-growth hemlock, crosses cascading streams and gives easy water access for camping. It’s scenic in a different way — more forest-and-water than rock-and-summit, and excellent for wildlife watching.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.