Ride the ADK Rail Trail

Since the ADK Rail Trail opened in 2023, bike rental shops have popped up making it easy to enjoy this outdoor activity.

Our first outing on the trail was riding from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake (video above). It’s an awesome bike trail through woods and fields, and along ponds with mountains in the distance. We stopped for lunch in Saranac Lake at Barley Sandwich (the BEST!) on Broadway. After a bite to eat, we continued across Lake Colby before turning around and heading home. From Old Military Road to the beginning of Lake Colby is 10 miles one-way.

To do this trip, you can rent bikes from Bike Lake Placid, conveniently located on the bike trail at Old Military Road. Both traditional and electric e-bikes are available. I personally own an e-bike and Eric has a traditional bike. While the incline is relatively minimal between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, Eric certainly felt it! I think he secretly wishes he had an e-bike!

We’ve also biked from the section from the Saranac Lake train station to Lake Clear (video below). This 6-mile section (12 miles troundtrip) was even more beautiful than the first. Riding all the way from Old Military Road in Lake Placid to Route 186 and back -- which I’ve also done -- is just under 30 miles roundtrip.

I can’t wait to return in each season. If you’re interested in starting in Saranac Lake and need a bike rental, I’d recommend Sled and Spoke, which is right on the trail.