Hardscrabble Road
Cruise this scenic loop that is easy riding, with mountains ringing the horizon. Cross a creek halfway!
Cycling and scenic drives
6.5 miles, with paved roads and services in Olmstedville.
Adirondack Marathon Trail
This delightful loop follows the route of the Adirondack Marathon. It is mostly flat with short, rolling hills. Breaks suggest themselves, such as the town beach, and two hiking trailheads.
- 26.2 miles
- Intermediate
- All paved.
- Other features: swimming, hiking, lake views.
- Services & commercial traffic on Route 9.
Map & turn by turn directions on the PDF, and also at the Lake Champlain Bikeways website.
See a "virtual tour" of the marathon route on the Adirondack Marathon website.
Stony Lonesome Loop
Get off the asphalt! This spectacular half day of gravel biking is on mostly remote, unpaved roads, with a variety of hills and valleys, open and wooded terrain, marshes, ponds, and streams.
Cycling
Mountain/cross bike recommended. Remote unpaved roads with limited services. Museum, swimming, wildlife, and low traffic are all here!
This spectacular loop is on mostly remote, unpaved, gently-rolling roads. It's recommended for cyclists in good physical shape with a cross/mountain bike. Traffic is generally minimal. A good start/end point is at the Penfield Museum in Ironville. You can also connect from Ticonderoga via Routes 74 and 2 or off Interstate 87, via Route 2 near North Hudson.
From the Penfield Museum in Ironville turn south on County 2/Corduroy Rd. At the 1.5 mile point turn R on Stony Lonesome Road which becomes Fleming Pond Road–unpaved. At 4.2 miles there is a bus turnaround. At 4.5 miles look for a beaver dam on the left if you look back. At 8.1 miles turn R on Letsonville Road (no sign). There is a sign for Fleming Pond Road. At 13.8 miles bear R on Old Furnace Rd. At 15.3 miles pavement starts again. At 16.6 miles bear L on Corduroy Road to go back to Penfield Museum in Ironville.
Wet & Wild
Take a day long ride through some of the most remote paved roads in the whole park. View dozens of ponds and wetlands, cross several headwaters, and see some historic mining and farming areas.
How to get there
Recommended to be taken south, moving to the west, to take advantage of the down hill grade as Route 4 joins Route 9.
By the numbers
36.3 miles round-trip
Cycling
This route is intermediate with paved roads. The traffic is low. The remote areas have limited services, but some are available in Port Henry, Moriah Center, and Moriah Corners.
Map and turn-by-turn directions on the PDF, and also at the Lake Champlain Bikeways website.
Pottersville-Olmstedville Road
Scenic country between two charming small towns. A great way to visit the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves!
By the numbers
- Distance: 6 miles
- Add 5 miles round trip with a visit to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, found at the end of Stone Bridge Road. All paved, with some hilly parts.
Cycling
Start at the intersection of Route 9 and Stone Bridge Road. Head west on Stone Bridge Road to visit the caves, 2.5 miles down a pleasant country road. Go south, through Pottersville, from the west, turning right at the giant gray Wells House, to take Olmstedville Road to the town of Olmstedville. Services in Olmstedville and Pottersville.
Paradox Lake Public Campground
This DEC State Campground is set amid rolling hills of hardwood along a quiet scenic road. Located on the shore of Dark Bay, on Paradox Lake.
Camping
There are hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch site, picnic area with pavilion rental, and firewood sales.
Boating
Motorboats allowed. The boat launch is a single lane, launch ramp over natural sand and gravel substrate. Canoes and rowboats are available for rent at the registration booth.
Hiking
There is a whole network of trails south of the lake that campers can access within a few minutes of departing. Hike to Crane, Oxshoe, Crab, Putnam, and Horseshoe ponds. Deeper into the wilderness, explore Pharaoh Lake and Pharaoh Mountain, which has a delightful view from the summit.
Take a boat to the opposite shore of the lake for a short trail which leads to Peaked Hill and Peaked Hill Pond.
Cycling
Many quiet paved roads give access to the grounds on Dark Bay. Low traffic, low speed limit, and excellent for children.
A day use pass offers boat rental availability, restrooms, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and showers.
Distance: 2 miles of interlocking paths. Paved road, mostly flat, narrow shoulders but very low traffic. Follow the loops around the shore of the lake, along different campsites, and through the woods.