If you are looking for a way to introduce your family to hiking or snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, the Buck Mountain Trail in Lake George Wild Forest is a great place to begin.

The summit views are outstanding, offering vistas of nearby Lake George, Bolton Landing and the expansive Adirondack Mountains.

Buck Mountain Trail can be accessed from Pilot Knob Trailhead. (Note that, without snowshoes, hiking in deep snow can make even an “easy” hike very difficult.)

Surface: Wide, primarily flat woodland trail from the parking area to the first stream crossing at the half-mile mark. Trail becomes steeper and rockier from the first stream crossing to the summit.

Easy hike: From the trailhead at Pilot Knob, hike 0.2 miles to a junction with a blue trail that leads to Inman Pond. Continue on the yellow trail to a stream crossing at 0.5 miles. This is a good stopping point for those who don’t want to climb to the summit.

Moderate loop trail: At approximately 1.2 miles, the yellow trail intersects with the red trail. Rather than take the yellow trail to the summit, take the red trail toward Inman Pond. At 1.6 miles, turn right/west at the intersection and follow the blue trail back toward the Pilot Knob trailhead. At 3.0 miles, the blue trail intersects with the yellow trail; head west toward the parking area (3.2 miles round trip).

Challenging summit hike: Follow the directions for the easy hike. After the stream crossing, follow the yellow trail to the summit (6.6 miles round trip).

Buck Mountain/Pilot Knob Parking Area is located off Pilot Knob Road and provides access to the Buck Mountain Trail. (43.5092°N, 73.6305°W)

Featured trails are recommended by DEC. Map of Buck Mountain courtesy Adirondack Atlas.