Blueberry Hill Trails
September 2025 | near elizabethtown, ny The background: I was chatting with a friend at the 46er winter meeting and he mentioned a few different hikes him and his wife were checking out during their visit. We were looking for a short hike for the morning on our way back downstate, so this proved to be the perfect option for us to move our legs, explore something totally different, while heading towards the Northway. I had no idea this trail system existed before, and I’m so happy we had the chance to check it out. Note there are also mountain biking paths and is set up slightly different than the usual ADK trails, so I’ve linked more information below.
For more information on the trail system and different recreation permitted, read here.
Getting there: For reference, this trail system is ~35 minutes east of Lake Placid, on your way to the Northway. Drive on route 73 East until you reach 9N S. Turn left. Drive for about 9 miles (you’ll pass the trailheads for Baxter Mountain trailhead, Big Hurricane, Owls Head Lookout to name a few) until you reach Lord Road on your left. Turn here and keep going until you see the first parking lot on your left. There is no fee in the designated lot.
Note, you can keep driving further down the road and make a left onto Roscoe Road and then Bronson Road where there’s another parking lot and approach. We did not check it out on this visit, but it’s another area you can definitely park in.
The hike: We meandered through the trail system at a leisurely pace, with 2 main stops in mind that we saw on the map: The Giant Mountain Lookout and the Blueberry Lean-to. Our route was about 2 miles round trip (3.21km) with elevation gain somewhere around 500 feet (152.4m.) There is nothing technical about the trails and you can truly take your time and enjoy the day. Despite the length and ease, don’t forget the essentials and a backup headlamp.
Note at the lean-to, we found quite a bit of buzzing creatures (wasps?) which made it difficult to relax directly at the lean-to. The view and area around it are beautiful, though, so you don’t have to necessarily sit too close to the lean-to if you don’t want to.
An ideal day and what you can pair this hike with:
The other hikes you passed on your way to this trailhead:
Hurricane Mountain (a longer, but beautiful fire tower hike)
Owls Head Lookout (another hike that’s not quick, but has gorgeous views of the Giant Mountain Wilderness)
On the weekends: a meal at the Big Crow Taphouse (formerly the Baxter Mountain Tavern, RIP.)
A 15-minute drive south towards New Russia, Mount Gilligan will bring you to a shorter (but steep) hike worth checking out if you’re short on time and energy.
