This loop is grand in many ways, but especially the scenery. Much of it goes through the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest area, with a crossing of the Boreas River and the views along Boreas Road. Area attractions include the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves on the Pottersville-Olmstedville Road (CR29), and a buffalo farm 4 miles from Route 9, in North Hudson.

Bike the Blue Ridge Road/County Highway 2B west to east, and take advantage of the downhill grade.

There are services in Schroon Lake, Pottersville, Olmstedville, and Minerva.

Cycling

56 Miles. From Schroon Lake public beach, take Route 9 south. Go 9 miles to Pottersville, take the right at the Wells House (giant gray building) to head north and west towards Olmstedville. Next turn onto Olmstedville-Pottersville Road and go 7 miles thru Olmstedville. Turn north on Rt. 28N to Minerva and continue 12 miles to head east on the Blue Ridge Road (Rt.2) in Newcomb, continue on 18 miles to North Hudson. Nearing end, south on Route 9 south, 8 miles to Schroon Lake Beach.

This is a great loop that takes you through some true Adirondack wilderness, as well as along a scenic lake.

Scenic drives

Directions

From North Hudson, take Route 9 south. From Schroon Lake, it is 9 miles to Pottersville, take the right at the Wells House (big gray building) to head north and west toward Olmstedville. Next, turn onto Olmstedville-Pottersville Road and go 7 miles through Olmstedville. Turn north on Route 28N to Minerva and continue 12 miles to head east on the Blue Ridge Road (Route 2) in Newcomb. Continue for 18 miles to North Hudson. Head south on Route 9 for 8 miles to Schroon Lake Beach.

• Approximate travel time: 3 hours

Cycling

Steep descent along the Blue Ridge Road (best taken west to east) offers expansive vistas with a variety of foliage progression.

• Length: 56 miles

Highlights and side trips

• Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center (Newcomb)
• Overlook Park (Newcomb)
• Blue Ridge Falls (North Hudson)

A stretch of great scenery, with wonderful curves to reveal new vistas at every turn. Pack a lunch; this is the wilderness.

When ridden west-to-east, it becomes an exhilarating thrill ride of breathtaking scenery - hold-your-breath downhill slopes!

DISTANCE: 20 miles, one way. Services in Newcomb, four miles from the intersection of Route 28N and Blue Ridge Road, and the endpoint of North Hudson.

DIRECTIONS: From 28N, take the Blue Ridge Road at the corner marked with the Tahawus sign. Head east and hang on tight.

Part of the Grand Loop through the small towns and wilderness of the Schroon Lake Region.

At 24.9 miles, this route is all paved with some hilly stretches with a few steep climbs.

Cycling

Starting at Schroon Lake take scenic Hoffman Road past Bullet Pond, and the trio of Muller, Bigsby, and Oliver Ponds. This route turns into Irishtown Road, with river views approaching Olmstedville. This quaint village is an excellent place for a break. Off Main Street take Donnelly Road to Trout Brook Road, meeting up again with Hoffman Road for the loop back to Schroon Lake.

Ride through charming small towns with attractions and services. Lodging and dining available roadside in the towns of Newcomb, Minerva, North Creek, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and Long Lake.

Cycling

This 80 mile loop has wonderful scenery on wide-shouldered roads. Runs along the Hudson River with many mountain and cliff scenes. Abundant scenic rest stops with picnic tables.

Scenic drives

This is also a beautiful scenic drive, especially during fall foliage season.

This route connects North Hudson with Paradox via the Letsonville Road. Go right by Johnson Pond for some gorgeous scenery. It's scenic, there are moderate hills, and it has some paved but mostly gravel roadways.

By the numbers

• 6 miles. Join Fleming Pond Road to go all the way to Crown Point for an additional 14 miles trip.

How to get there

Take Route 9 North from North Hudson, turn east (right) on the Johnson Pond Road/County Highway 2A. Follow it along the pond and between the mountains until the intersection with Letsonville Road. Head south to Paradox on Route 74.

There are all sorts of adventures to be had here!

Cycling

This paved, flat route runs along the Minerva River and forms a short loop road with Irishtown Road.

Running

Part of the scenic network of secondary, scenic, area roads.

Scenic drives

These drives can be extended to any of the state routes in the area.

Explore the quiet paved roads giving access to Scaroon Manor Campground on the west shore of Schroon Lake. Informational posts throughout the complex tell the history of this once-famous resort.

A day use pass offers access the swimming, restrooms, picnic tables, bbq grills, and shower facilities, too.

How to get there

Follow the loops around the shore of the lake, along different campsites, through the woods, and the amphitheatre complex where they filmed the Gene Kelly/Natalie Wood movie, Marjorie Morningstar.

By the numbers

• 2 miles of interlocking paths.

Paved road, mostly flat, narrow shoulders but very low traffic.

This road leads to the Tahawus Ghost Town, a former mining town no longer open to the public. But the road leading up to it is a marvelous ride alternating deep forest, hidden meadows, bridges, lakes, and distant mountain vistas.

Rock hounds will find the abundance of mine tailings offer samples of granite, mica, and anorthosite. This was once the largest titanium mine in the world.

DISTANCE: Round trip: 14 miles. Paved road, mostly flat, narrow shoulders but very low traffic.

DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Route 28N and Blue Ridge Road, look for the sign on the left, turning north onto the Tahawas Mine Road. Follow the road to the end, where a gate bars entrance, and turn around. There is also a hiking path trailhead right before the second bridge for more exploration.

This lovely route is also a symbol of friendship: look for the stone with an image of the two shaking hands etched in it. The North Hudson Pine Ridge Cemetery is the resting place of a number of War of 1812 soldiers.

By the numbers

• Distance: 15 miles one way
• Elevation gain: 1,000 feet

Cycling

Access through the Hammond Pond Wild Forest, with trails to Trout Pond, Round Pond, East Mill Flow and Moose Mountain Pond and Bass Lake.

Recommended to be taken east to west, to take advantage of the downhill grade as the road joins Route 9. Services in Moriah Center and North Hudson.

Directions

From Moriah, take County Route 4, west, and follow it all the way to North Hudson, near the intersection with Interstate 87, the Northway.

Scenic drives

Drive south to pick up Teddy's Trail, for exceptional scenery and plenty of interesting stops.