Location
The Adirondack Mountain Club regards the termini of the Northville-Placid Trail to be Upper Benson and Averyville, to remove road walking from each end of the hike, leaving 117 miles of actual trail. The northern terminus is at Averyville Road, approximately one and a half miles south of Lake Placid. The southern terminus is located near the Sacandaga reservoir northwest of Albany.

Description
Built in 1922, the Northville-Placid trail follows a generally easy grade on it's north-south route, and the trail frequently runs besides streams, lakes, and ponds. Adirondack style shelters are available along the route, along with frequent campsites. While the trail lends itself well to end-to-end hiking, road crossing allow for section hiking. Highlights of the trail include the West Canada Lakes Wilderness area, the wild Cold River area, and Duck Hole. The trail is marked by blue DEC markers and maintained by volunteers from the Adirondack Mountain Club.

When to Go
The frequent water along the way makes the trail ideal for summer hiking, with fishing and swimming available at many of the camping locations. The low elevation and frequent water means the trail may be wet and/or buggy, so be prepared.

Permits and Restrictions
None

Resupply
Small stores are available near the trail in Piseco and Long Lake.

Maps, Guides and Contacts
Guide to Adirondack Trails: Northville-Placid Trail, 188 pages, is available from the Adirondack Mountain Club for $13.56.

ADK Headquarters
814 Goggins Road
Lake George, NY 12845
1-800-395-8080, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST

Thru-Hikers
Please E-MAIL us if you would like to be added as a Thru Hiker of this trail and you are willing to be contacted by people seeking information.

Sandie Sabaka (“Bluebearee”) says she completed the Northville Placid Trail on Columbus Day 2006, as an 11-day thru-hike from Upper Benson, N.Y. “I’m happy to answer questions and have my name used as a resource on the Web site. I posted my journal to www.trailjournals.com/bluebeareeNPT.” She can be reached via her home e-mail address of bluebearee @ msn.com.

Kim Van Evera and Daniel DeCuyke completed the trail in October 2002 after an 11-day thru-hike. They live at the southern terminus of the trail in Bleecker, N.Y., and run a business called Back to Basics Adirondack wilderness Adventures. They have no problem with hikers contacting them. Their info is posted on their business Web site at http://www.gobacktothebasics.com. Northville-Lake Placid thru-hikers are welcome to a free stay, free shuttle and parking if they would prefer.

Dave Nethaway has thru-hiked the NP and has created a Web site with his journal, pictures and trail tips to help other hikers. You can check it out at www.avatar12.com. Contact him via e-mail at avatar12@avatar1.

John Malenchek is planning to hike north from Piseco to Lake Placid at the end of September 2003. He plans to add his comments here afterward and is willing to be contacted by other interested hikers. He could also use some information about getting to Piseco some other way than driving since he is hiking alone. He has previously hiked the Long Lake to Lake Placid stretch and greatly enjoyed it. Contact him via e-mail at malenchek@aol.com.