The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is pleased to announce the launch of Adirondack Wayfinder, a new website that showcases the Adirondacks through thematic road trip itineraries. Originally developed through the support of a DEC Smart Growth Grant awarded to Hamilton County, the goal of Adirondack Wayfinder is to help highlight the variety of experiences and the unique communities that make up the Adirondack region.

At 6 million acres, the sheer scale of the Adirondacks can be intimidating for first-time visitors. Adirondack Wayfinder helps take out the guesswork by allowing travelers to search through a variety of curated itineraries that appeal to different interests. Once an itinerary or “trail” has been selected, it can be customized by adding and/or removing different attractions and amenities. Users enter their starting point and the website reorders the trail stops based on that location. Once the trail and starting point has been selected, the information can be pushed to Google Maps, allowing users to navigate via their mobile device or sync with their vehicle’s navigation system.

For the initial launch, the website highlights topics relevant to traveling in the fall of 2020, such as motorcycle touring, breweries, farm trails, and family-friendly itineraries. Existing thematic trails, including the New York State Designated Adirondack Cuisine Trails, are also available on the website. Additionally, Adirondack Wayfinder features easy access to fall foliage reports and “Adirondack Travel Alerts,” which hosts information on what travelers should know about traveling in the Adirondacks and New York state during this time.

As seasons change, and more businesses and attractions around the Adirondacks continue to return to regular operations, the types of trails highlighted will adjust and continue to grow. Additionally, businesses and communities are encouraged to create their own trails and itineraries. For anyone who has an idea for a new trail, a toolkit has been developed by River Street Planning and Development, in conjunction with ROOST and Hamilton County, to assist others in developing their own trails and itineraries. The toolkit is available at AdirondackWayfinder.com/about.