Adirondacks Travel Guide

The Adirondack Park lies 150 miles (241km) north of New York City, and is renowned for its stunning, unspoilt landscapes of towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes and dense forests. Anyone seeking solace in nature will relish this breathtaking paradise, which covers an area larger than the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone combined.

Thousands of miles of streams and rivers cross the park, attracting canoeists and kayakers, and the hundreds of lakes and glassy ponds are ideal for boating, windsurfing and swimming. There's also good fishing, particularly salmon, trout and pike.

The Adirondack Mountains are among the highest and most dramatic in the eastern United States. In the summer they're a favourite among hikers, horse riders and rock climbers, and in winter there are about nine ski resorts in operation. The best ski resort in the region is Whiteface, nine miles (14km) northeast of Lake Placid, which has some challenging skiing and spectacular views, though visitors should be aware of the icy winds that regularly whip up the valley.

Lake Placid is a major cross-country skiing destination with 283 miles (455km) of trails, and plenty of other activities such as ice skating, tobogganing and bobsleighing. Some ski lifts remain open in the summer months, and are ideal for idle mountain bikers.

Saranac Lake is a quintessential American small town with a quaint atmosphere and historic buildings, while Ticonderoga is home to a Revolutionary War fort and museum. Elizabethtown and Chester are laidback resort towns, and Old Forge is a good base for exploring the Mohawk Valley and Northern Forest Canoe Trail.