Whiteface Landing is a perfect outing for those looking for a peaceful walk, ski, or snowshoe to Lake Placid's shore. Hikers should learn about Leave No Trace principles before any Adirondack outing.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 6.5 miles round trip, starting from the bridge on Route 86
• Elevation gain: 440 feet

Hiking Whiteface Landing

From the Route 86 large parking area, follow a trail that parallels the road, then walk down a gravel road. Before long, you'll pass by a side trail to Connery Pond. The trail to Whiteface Landing officially starts at the left side of the register area and soon climbs moderately away from the pond and the private camps on the pond before descending to the shore of the pond.

The trail is now flat along the shore before swinging left to a yellow gate that marks the start of state land. The road from here becomes much more gravel strewn and adds on a bit of elevation. The footing is a bit tough in spots due to the rocky terrain. This trail is mainly dry with only a couple of small wet areas. Just before the shore, you'll reach a T-intersection. Left leads to Whiteface Landing, right leads to a trail up Whiteface Mountain. 1 mile down this trail is a lean-to.

This also makes for a great trail run. Some areas with loose rocks need to be avoided, but all-in-all it's a perfect trail for the intermediate runner or the beginner who wants to push themselves a bit.

Whiteface Landing in the winter

This is a popular cross-country ski for locals and visitors. Rockier terrain makes this a more enjoyable ski or trek later in the season when there is more snow. The parking at the bridge will be plowed and there is a clearly marked ski trail connecting to the gravel road mentioned above.

Skiing over a frozen body of water is a dangerous activity and should only be done with care and respect for your environment. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice.

How to get there

From the four-way intersection in Wilmington, travel east on Route 86 toward Lake Placid. Drive for just about 10-miles to a large parking lot at a bridge over the Ausable River. From here, you can access Connery Pond and Whiteface Landing. Just up the road from the parking lot, there is a dirt road that leads back to the trailhead for Whiteface Landing. There are few spots, so parking on Route 86 might be the best option. The trailhead is less than one-mile down the dirt road. In winter you will need to park at the large lot along the road.