Olympic Trail

Passing through the northern portion of the Adirondack region, The Olympic Trail forms a link between Lakes Ontario and Champlain. Home to the oldest hardwood forest in the east, this area is dominated by forests and hills, interspersed with lakes and ponds. And, there are excellent opportunities for canoeing and kayaking expeditions.

The Trail begins in Sackets Harbor on Route 3 and continues through Watertown, Star Lake, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Here, Route 3 becomes Route 86 which continues to Lake Placid. Continue on Route 86 to the town of Jay, then take Route 9N to the end point in Keesville.

Historical towns here, such as Lake Placid and Saranac Springs, have a number of interesting sights that inform as well as entertain their guests. These were once great "curative" towns where the mountain air was used to treat patients with tuberculosis. The housing used to institutionalize the patients are now tourist attractions along with the facilities that were used to host two winter Olympics in the area.

The Basics

Location:

The norther portion of New York state through the Adirondack Mountains from Sackets Harbor to Keeseville

Length:

170 miles (273 km)

Map

Olympic Trail New York Scenic Drive Map

Points of Interest

Cranberry Lake (NY)

Situated on the third largest lake in the Adirondacks, the town of Cranberry Lake offers excellent recrational paddling and boating opportunities.

Keeseville (NY)

Over 125 structures within the village of Keeseville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A walking tour interprets this village that prospered as a center for ironmanufacturing. In addition, three remarkable bridges that cross the Ausable River are collectively listed as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Lake Placid (NY)

Lake Placid has hosted two Winter Olympics and is a major recreational center in the Adirondacks, with a year-round operating ski resort.

Natural Bridge Cavern (NY)

This natural cavern leads to an underground lake. Visitors can take a rowboat tour, for a fee.

Sackets Harbor (NY)

With its strategic position, abundant resources and superb natural harbor, Sackets Harbor became the center of military and naval operations for the War of 1812's northern theater. It is now the location of the Seaway Trail Discovery Center where you can get a good idea of what you'll want to visit along this Byway.

Saranac Lake (NY)

Saranac Lake maintains an extensive history of the Adirondack region, including several retreats designed to cure tuberculosis.

Tupper Lake (NY)

The village of Tupper Lake features close proximity to hundreds of hiking and biking trails. Tupper Lake is also closely linked to the Racquette River Corridor Project, an organization for improving canoe routes along the Racquette River.

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