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Best Easy Hikes in the Adirondacks to See Fall Leaves

Mirror Lake – Lake Placid

If you want a great fall foliage walk with no hiking shoes required, the paved path around Mirror Lake is a perfect option. As the centerpiece of downtown Lake Placid, Mirror Lake is a great place to enjoy fall foliage, especially on a clear morning with the colors reflected on the still water. The lake is lined with shops and restaurants, many offering lake views with the High Peaks lining the horizon. Another way to enjoy even better views is to rent a boat or paddleboard from Mirror Lake Boat Rentals.

High Falls Gorge – Wilmington

For amazing fall foliage views with no serious hiking involved, High Falls Gorge is a fantastic option. The park features trails along a narrow granite-walled gorge with four spectacular waterfalls. There are two options to see the gorge, one being a half-mile easy path that is stroller-friendly. The other path is on stairs and suspended walkways all along the edge of the gorge. All paths are safe for children as the walkways have 4-foot-high fencing with metal mesh. The admission prices are as follows: adults (13+): $17; kids (4-12): $14; toddlers 3 and under are free.

Heart Lake – Adirondack Loj, Lake Placid

Another easy hike with great views is the trail around Heart Lake at the Adirondack Loj.  The hike is a 1.1-mile, mostly flat loop with stunning views of the lake. That said, hiking shoes and plenty of water are still required. The Adirondack Mountain Club charges $18 per day to park anytime before 1pm and a half-day fee of $10 after 1pm. So, while it's best to arrive as early as possible, parking spots do open up in the afternoon as the early hikers return. Members of the Adirondack Mountain Club get a discounted parking rate at the property: $10 per day, and $5 per half day. The Adirondack Loj also offers accommodations at the Lodge or in the cabins and campsites around the lake.

Roaring Brook Falls – Keene Valley

Just a short hike from the Roaring Brook parking area, and visible from route 73, is the impressive 300-ft-high Roaring Brook Falls. The main trail takes you to the bottom of the falls, but if you go about half a mile on the Giant Mountain path, you can access the top of the falls and the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. There is no parking fee and no reservation required. 

Shelving Rock Falls – Fort Ann

This gorgeous 50-foot cascade lies to the east side of Lake George and is just a short walk from the parking area. If you want more difficult hike, take the 6.3-mile Shelving Rock Mountain loop that goes to the summit of Shelving Rock Mountain and along the side of Lake George. Parking is free and no reservation is required. The road to get there is unpaved in some areas and network is scarce, so I would recommend downloading an offline map before going.

Whiteface Mountain – Wilmington

Whiteface Mountain, the fifth tallest mountain in the Adirondacks, can be accessed three ways: a difficult trail for advanced hikers, a drive to the top, or a ride on a gondola. The gondola ride offers an amazing experience as you get an open view of all the foliage the entire way up, plus an amazing view of Lake Placid from the platform at the top. If you choose to drive up, there is an observation area with panoramic views, a cafe, a gift shop, and an optional trail to the summit that is a decent hike in and of itself. I did this with my son when he was 3, but I wouldn't recommend it for small kids as there are a lot of stairs and the top is scary for a parent with a toddler. The full hike up Whiteface Mountain is 9.5 miles out and back with 3,651 feet of elevation gain. 

RELATED: Spectacular Places to View Fall Foliage in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

You'll be surrounded by stunning foliage on Adirondacks hiking trails in the autumn. Photo by the author

Best Moderate-to-Difficult Fall Foliage Hikes in the Adirondacks

Rooster Comb Mountain – Keene Valley

The view from the summit of Rooster Comb Mountain is arguably one of the best views in the Adirondacks any time of year, but it is particularly magical when the leaves change color. The "rooster comb" is a rocky formation that offers almost 360 views of the surrounding area that doesn't require too strenuous a hike. Since it is nestled between the larger mountains, you get expansive views of the fall foliage on multiple mountainsides, making you feel like you are inside a painting. This is a moderate-difficulty hike at 5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,770 feet. Parking is free in the Rooster Comb parking lot, but plan to get there early as it fills up fast! A trail map or GPS is recommended, and definitely pack plenty of water and snacks. The Lake Placid Hiker Shuttle offers easy parking at Marcy Field and free transportation to some of the most popular hikes in the high peaks. Visit Lake Placid Hiker Shuttle for additional information and to find the most up-to-date hiker shuttle map and schedule.

Rainbow Falls – Keene Valley

Rainbow Falls is a beautiful 150-foot waterfall that gets its name from the rainbow that often forms against the glistening waters as the sun hits the rock wall. This is a long hike, 8.5 miles out and back, but it is mostly flat with no climbing or scrambling required. And there are multiple waterfalls along the way, including the gorgeous Beaver Meadow Falls, a 60-foot-tall horsetail cascade. So even if you don't make it til the end, it's still a great hike. Parking for the Rainbow Falls trail is in the Saint Huberts parking area, where a hiking reservation is required from May 1 to October 31. Free hiking reservations can be made by creating an account on the Adirondack Mountain Reserve Hiking Reservation portal.

Mount Jo – Lake Placid

The hike to the summit of Mount Jo is a 2.4-mile loop from the Adirondack Loj parking lot. It is considered a moderately challenging hike and it's popular with active kids. The summit overlooks Heart Lake, with views of the surrounding high peaks displaying fall foliage. The Adirondack Mountain Club charges $18 per day to park anytime before 1pm and a half-day fee of $10 after 1pm. So, while it's best to arrive as early as possible, parking spots do open up in the afternoon as the early hikers return. Members of the Adirondack Mountain Club get a discounted parking rate at the property: $10 per day, and $5 per half day. The Adirondack Loj also offers accommodations at the Lodge or in the cabins and campsites around the lake.

Black Mountain – Lake George

Black Mountain on the east side of Lake George offers stunning views of the fall foliage with a full view of the lake. The trail to the summit is considered moderate, but it is a continuous climb. The hike can be done as a 5.6-mile out-and-back hike or as a 7.7-mile loop that passes Lapland Pond. At 2,646 feet you are at the summit of Black Mountain, where you will find a fire observer cabin and a fire tower. There is no parking fee and no reservation is required.

Cascade Mountain – Keene

Cascade Mountain is the smallest of the famed 46 peaks over 4,000 feet in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. Its bald, rocky summit offers 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. So if your family is ready to start on a journey to being "46-ers," Cascade is a great hike to start with. The hike is 4.5 miles out and back with 1,906 ft of elevation gain. Parking is free in the Cascade parking area, but it also fills up fast, so plan to arrive early and consider the hiker shuttle. 

Tips for Hiking with Kids in the Adirondacks

I have been hiking in the Adirondacks for almost 10 years, many times with my son who is now 9 years old, so I wanted to share some things I have learned from my experiences to make your hiking trip more enjoyable.

• Sturdy hiking shoes are a must. The terrain is very rocky and can get muddy after recent rains. 
• Pack a backpack with snacks, water, a first-aid kit, and other essentials. Let the kids carry a few things in little backpacks as well. 
• Pack ponchos. It can rain at any time in the Adirondacks, especially in the high peaks, regardless of the weather forecast. Small, lightweight disposable ponchos can be purchased at Walmart or online and are great to keep in your backpack in case of a downpour. 
• Pack plenty of water and a water filter for long hikes. There are lots of streams and waterfalls to refill bottles, but the water will need to be filtered or treated before drinking.
• Hiking apps like All Trails are a great resource, but make sure to download your trail map or keep a paper map as backup because phone and GPS network is scarce on most of the trails.
• Pack high-protein snacks. The moderate-to-difficult trails take a lot of energy, so make sure you and your kids have plenty of fuel for the hike.
• If you plan to hike to one of the high peaks, take a jacket, because it is much colder and windier at the top of the mountain. Quick-dry clothes are also preferable.
• Alway sign in and out of the trail registry at the trailhead in case of emergency.
• Plan ahead, especially during the popular leaf-peeping season, as many of the parking areas fill up and others require reservations ahead of time. Consider using the hiker shuttle for hikes around Lake Placid, and have a back-up hike planned in case plans go awry.