Hike Hadley Mountain
While you may be visiting Saratoga Springs to check out the Race Course or to see a great concert at SPAC, you should also take advantage of Hadley Mountain while you're in the area. It's only a short, one hour drive north of Saratoga Springs located in the Wilcox area of the Adirondacks. Widely regarded as one of Saratoga Springs' hidden gems, when you reach the summit, you'll understand why!
How To Get There
From Saratoga, take NY 9N heading north. When you reach Lake Luzerne, turn left at the first light onto East River Drive. From there, turn left on to Bridge Street and then right onto Stone Creek Road. After approximately three miles, turn left onto Hadley Hill Road and continue on for four miles. Turn right onto Tower Road (will be gravel) and you will find the parking area on the left after about a mile.
The Hike
Hadley Mountain is a moderate hike and is great for families. There are parts that are very rocky due to the mountain's history of forest fires and can make the descent tricky at times, especially if the rocks are slippery from recent rainfall. The trail itself is approximately three miles round trip and follows red trail markers from the parking lot to the top.
The Fire Tower
The best part of the hike! When you reach the top, in addition to the beautiful, panoramic view of the Adirondack mountainscape, you will also find a restored fire tower. If you're feeling adventurous, the tower is free to climb to get an expanded look at the Adirondack Park mountains. Read the sign that provides history of the fire tower and don't forget to bring your camera to capture the great view!