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NPT (Northville-Placid Trail)

 5.0 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. NY
  3. …Adirondack Region
  4. Northville
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Length


141.2 Miles 227.3 Kilometers


12,875' 3,924 m

Ascent

-12,070' -3,679 m

Descent

3%

Avg Grade (1°)

15%

Max Grade (8°)

3,024' 922 m

High

781' 238 m

Low

Shared By Sarah M

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

“This is a great trail for a shakedown thru-hike, ultra-run, or fishing and camping.”

— Sarah M
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife · Commonly Backpacked

Overview

The Northville-Placid Trail was established by the Adirondack Mountain Club in 1922 and is maintained by the NY DEC. The trail starts in Northville and ends in Lake Placid. The southern two-thirds of the trail gradually ascends to a central plateau, past Long Lake, the largest body of water along the route. The Northern third of the trail winds through valleys between the beautiful High Peaks until you arrive at the end in Lake Placid. The trail is heavily marked with blue trail markers that say NPT Trail. You can find more information about the NPT here

Hike Sections

Need to Know

There is a ford over the West Carry Creek. It's a good idea to call a ranger when it's been raining or there's been a lot of snow melt to check the depth, as it can be hard to cross if the levels are high.

Description

The trail officially starts at a parking lot on Main Street in Northville. There are plenty of local eateries and shops for any last minute items you may have forgotten. There's a trail register for you to sign and important safety information provided on a bulletin board.

After about a 3.5 mile road hike to get you started, you get to another parking area with its own register at Collins-Gifford Valley Rd. The next parking area is at Benson Rd. and there's a beautiful camping area on Woods Lake. From here, you'll pass many lakes and streams and multiple designated camping spots.

The trail then heads north till you get to Piseco Lake where it comes out to Route 8. You'll follow Haskell Road for a ways before heading back into the woods. Along the road you'll pass a post office if you want to mail yourself additional supplies ahead for pickup. Check the post office hours though so you don't have to wait around.

You'll be going through the Jessup River Wild Forest and then the West Canada Lake wilderness area and straight up through the Moose River Plains wild forest. When you get to the West Canada lake wilderness area you'll start to find many lean-tos that are in great shape. When you come out to Route 30 you'll be at the Lake Durant Campground; here you can have a hot shower and get some fresh water if the campground is open. If its not, there is another store just down the road a couple miles.

The next road you'll come to is route 28N. After you cross 28N you'll be going along Long Lake for awhile. It is gorgeous and there are lean-tos all over the place in this neck of the woods, which make for great camping or nice picnic spots.

Good luck and happy hiking!

Flora & Fauna

There are many wildflowers and all kinds of wildlife along the way.

History & Background

The Northville-Placid Trail was established by the Adirondack Mountain Club in 1922.

Contacts

Local Club: Adirondack Mountain Club

Feb 13, 2019: Hibernation is no Vacation

Feb 1, 2019: Invest in Nature

Jan 30, 2019: 5 Membership Benefits

Land Manager: NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation - Region 3 Forest Preserve Unit

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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Aug 19, 2016
Jung Jaeyeon
Jun 20, 2016
Patrick Mitchell
Stopped at Lake Durant Campground 85mi
May 11, 2014
Katie Stuart
112.8mi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 4 votes

#1

in Northville

#586

Overall
  5.0 from 4 votes
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Rankings

#1

in Northville

#10

in New York

#586

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3,118 Since May 13, 2015
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Photos

Looking out onto the lake from the lean-to
Looking out onto the lake from the lean-to
 3
6 am ....one quick pic before we set off for the day
6 am ....one quick pic before we set off for th…
 3
Very cool bridge that crosses South Lake
Very cool bridge that crosses South Lake
 3
Getting ready to make some dinner after a long day's hike.
Getting ready to make some dinner after a long…
 3
Another great view along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail
Another great view along the Northville-Lake Pl…
 3

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