New York's Renowned Mountains Boast Breathtaking Scenery And Hiking Trails

When it comes to unspoiled nature on the East Coast, it's hard to beat New York. While the Empire State is best known for the subways, yellow taxis, and gleaming skyscrapers of its world-famous metropolis, it's also home to vast stretches of wild land. From the stunning landscapes of Whetstone Gulf State Park to the tallest free-falling waterfall in the eastern U.S., New York is rich in outdoor destinations, and the crown jewel may just be the Adirondacks.

Situated in the northern corner of the state, this mountain range is home to Adirondack Park, a 6 million-acre spread that is the largest protected area in the Lower 48 — bigger than Death Valley and Yellowstone combined. Roughly the size of the neighboring state of Vermont, Adirondack State Park is home to not only rugged rocky rises, but also deep forests, swift rivers, waterfalls, and thousands of lakes and ponds.

The opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks are seemingly infinite, running the gamut from camping to fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and, above all else, hiking. The park is crisscrossed by over 2,000 miles of trekking paths appropriate for hikers of all experience levels. Whether you're interested in a casual day jaunt or a multi-night backpacking adventure, the Adirondacks have what you're looking for.

The geological history of the Adirondacks dates back some billion years, making the rocks found there among the oldest on the planet. Around 20 million years ago, a dome began to rise in the area, birthing the mountain range we see today. And despite their proximity to the Appalachian Mountains, the Adirondacks are not geologically related. They are, in fact, an entirely separate range that continues to grow at the rate of about 1 foot every 100 years.

The Adirondacks are home to over 3,000 lakes and ponds, which offer some of the best scenery in the region. Lake Placid is known for its deep blue waters and charming town (which twice hosted the Winter Olympics), while the Saranac Chain of Lakes encompasses 17 miles of waterways and features world-class canoeing in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Schroon Lake is an angler's dream full of lake trout, landlocked salmon, pike, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the 32-mile-long Lake George is home to roughly 186 islands, many of which are available for camping, as well as an old-fashioned steamboat cruise.

Mountain bikers will find no shortage of great routes in the area, starting with the Adirondack Rail Trail, a 34-mile path connecting Lake Placid with Tupper Lake. More rides of varying difficulty include the Gurney Lane mountain biking trails, trails in Ausable Chasm, and the North Creek Ski Bowl. For those interested in scaling one of the Adirondacks' multitude of crags and walls, the region offers over 250 climbing areas. Some of the top climbs can be found in Keene Valley and the Cascade Lakes region, as well as the mountains around Cranberry Lake.

Hiking is the name of the game in the Adirondacks, with paths to meet every level of skill and commitment. For easy, family-friendly day hikes, start with the Mount Jo Trail. This 2.2-mile path climbs 700 feet to the top of the mountain it's named for and is a great place to catch the sunrise. The Cascade Mountain Trail is a 4.8-mile round-trip jaunt that offers terrific views from the 4,098-foot summit. The Mount Arab trail is a 2-mile out-and-back climb to a fire tower at the top of the peak, while High Falls Gorge is accessible via a 30-minute walk that features breathtaking views of the cascade.

This massive region is also perfect for multi-day backpacking treks. The Pharaoh Lake and Mountain Trail is a roughly 10-mile hike through rocky, rugged country featuring several lakes and ponds, while the 23-mile West Canada Lakes Wilderness Loop heads into the heart of the wilderness that shares its name. For those looking to get into some elevation, the Dix Range Traverse tackles five mountains over 4,000 feet, while the difficult Great Range Trail takes it up a notch by climbing up and over 12 peaks in 25 miles.

While the Adirondacks range is one of the wildest regions in the U.S., it's only a four-hour drive from New York City, which offers two international airports: JFK and LaGuardia. For more wild wonder in America's Northeast, check out the postcard-worthy scenery at Acadia National Park.