Let’s be real, surviving the daily grind of crowded subways and blaring sirens requires a serious upstate mountain escape every now and then.
Ditching the city sidewalks for massive alpine summits is the ultimate New York reset.
Now, a stunning hiking route in the Adirondacks is officially getting the national recognition it deserves.
In her recently released book 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A., National Geographic expert Stephanie Pearson highlights the absolute best scenic trails across the country.
Sitting proudly on that prestigious list is our very own Algonquin Trail in Upstate New York!
This strenuous but immensely rewarding trek is an absolute must for anyone looking to conquer the High Peaks and experience some of the most dramatic landscapes on the East Coast this summer.
Channeling Adirondack history on the MacIntyre Range
The Algonquin Trail isn’t just any old basic walk in the woods.
This route is steeped in local mountaineering lore.
And as noted in the new book, the hike follows in the legendary footsteps of Bob Marshall.
He was the famous forester and founder of the Wilderness Society who became the first person to climb all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks back in 1925.
When you tackle this specific hike, you are actually stringing together three of the four peaks that make up the gorgeous MacIntyre Range in the Adirondacks.
The journey kicks off with a short and steep climb right above the tree line to the 4,580-foot summit of Wright Peak.
History buffs will want to keep their eyes peeled here, as you can still spot scattered debris from the tragic 1962 crash of a WWII-era B-47E strategic bomber just off the path.
What to expect on this epic climb
Be prepared to break a serious sweat.
The book lists this adventure as a strenuous 10.3-mile out-and-back trek that will take roughly 8 to 10 hours to complete.
After conquering Wright Peak, your next target is the 5,114-foot summit of Algonquin Peak.
Coming in as the second highest mountain in all of New York State, Algonquin offers a sprawling and completely exposed rocky summit. The sprawling vistas from the top are simply unreal.
The final push takes you to the summit of 4,840-foot Iroquois Peak.
You will be rewarded with a robust 4,000 feet of total climbing and uninterrupted 360-degree views of the surrounding Adirondack High Peaks.
Because of the rugged terrain and exposed summits, the sweet spot to plan your trip is between July and October when the weather is much more forgiving.
So bookmark this now and plan ahead!
Make it a full weekend getaway in Lake Placid
After spending nearly all day conquering New York’s most beautiful mountains, you are going to need a massive meal and a cozy bed.
Thankfully, the primary trailhead at the Adirondack Loj lodge is located just minutes away from the charming town of Lake Placid.
This famous Olympic village is the ultimate basecamp for any upstate nature adventure.
You can grab a massive post-hike burger and a local craft beer along the town’s main street before resting your legs at a gorgeous lakeside lodge.
Lake Placid is packed with quaint cafes, rustic boutiques, and stunning views of Mirror Lake.
It is the absolute perfect pairing for a rigorous day on the trails, giving you the very best of rugged nature and small-town luxury for your next upstate escape.
Trail details at a glance:
Location: High Peaks Wilderness Area, near Lake Placid, NY
Distance: 10.3 miles out and back
Time: 8 to 10 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best time to go: July to October
