Guest Reviews

Great hike, great views. ICE! CRAMPONS!

- Tom

24 years & still the best place ever. Thank you Dave & Susan!

- Jane & Dan

Activities In & Around The High Peaks Region

Hike…from the Garden parking area or the Rooster Comb trail and follow hundreds of miles of marked wilderness trails. It’s only 9 miles to Mt. Marcy, the highest point in New York, but don’t count on doing it in one day from Trail’s End. There are shorter routes from nearby points. You may want to try some of the other 46 High Peaks, such as Whiteface Mountain, Algonquin, Cascade or Porter, which are near here. Many lovely hikes are within a few miles: Giant, Big Slide, Gothics, Dix, Noonmark Mountain, the Lower Ausable Lake, Beaver Meadow Falls, the Lake Road on the grounds of the famous Ausable Club. The web site: Views From The Top has comments from hikers who have recently hiked some of the trails here in the High Peaks. If you’re interested in hiking the 46 High Peaks, take a good look at Adirondack Journey’s excellent website. Remember to be good stewards of nature—follow the backcountry rules. And the folks at The Mountaineer outfitting store here in Keene Valley are very knowledgeable about current trail conditions and they are more than happy to share their thoughts with hikers. And often over breakfast here at Trail’s End Inn, guests share their previous day’s hiking experience with other guests.

Summer Activities…Hiking in the world-famous High Peaks of the Adirondacks, canoeing, fishing the Ausable River (for information on fly fishing and other outdoor activities, visit the Mountaineer’s website, www.mountaineer.com), whitewater rafting, bicycling, horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming in the Ausable and Boquet Rivers, bird watching, rock climbing, and more are nearby. Now, the North American Ironman Triathlon is held in Lake Placid every summer! Athletes who compete in the U.S. Ironman Championship get the thrill of finishing the event on the Olympic Speed skating Oval where Eric Heiden won five gold medals in 1980. Other sporting teams and competitions continue to relocate to the region. The Lake Placid Horse Shows are held for two weeks in June and July. Lacrosse tournaments, marathons and other national and international events are held each year.

For those who are interested in architecture or architectural history, this region abounds in lovely buildings in beautiful natural settings. Some, such as White Pine Camp (Calvin Coolidge’s Summer White House) are available for tours. You might plan a visit to John Brown’s Farm or the Great Camp Santanoni Preserve. Great Camp Sagamore makes a fascinating day trip, especially combined with (if you have the energy) the Adirondack Museum. Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) has an informative site you might enjoy. Some tours are by prior arrangement only.

Ski…miles of trails through woods and fields or travel twenty minutes to ski groomed Olympic trails Mt. Van Hoevenberg Ski Center at Lake Placid. Downhill skiers can enjoy Whiteface Mountain, longest vertical drop in the East, located only twenty minutes away. Check out trail conditions and equipment rental rates at whiteface.com. You can call us directly to see if there are any downhill ski specials or packages available during your stay.

Year ’round activities, exhibits and events are offered at the nearby Wild Center. Explore this 31 acre campus that is dedicated to the Adirondacks.

Winter Activities…Cross-country or downhill ski on the Olympic sites (just minutes away). Ice (and Rock) Climbing in the breath-taking mountains with professional guides and instructors from such well respected venues as Adirondack Rock and River and for a more one-on-one experience, Alpine Adventures.

Ice skate, take an unforgettable bobsled ride (at what is now known as the Verizon Sports Complex), snowshoe,  back country ski, tour Lake Placid, or visit the 1980 Winter Olympic Sites. You can take a toboggan run on Mirror Lake, or even go out on the frozen lake in a dog sled. See world-class athletes compete in hockey games, ski jumping, figure skating, bobsled, luge, skeleton, ski races, biathlon and other winter activities.