Northville-Placid Trail

The Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) is a long-distance, north-south footpath in the Adirondack Park, running from Waterfront Park in Northville to Averyville Road in Lake Placid.

The route was cut in 1922 and completed two years later; it’s one of New York’s oldest long-distance trails and is often hiked as a thru-trip over multiple days.

This long-distance hiking route is designed for foot travel (no bicycle use indicated in the route data) and follows designated trail/paths with a generally low elevation profile for the total distance, but it isn’t “flat.”

Expect Adirondack lowland travel: a mix of wet ground, roots, and blowdowns (fallen trees), plus periodic boggy/brushy sections that slow pace even when climbs aren’t steep.

Along the NPT, camps are built around lean-tos and primitive sites on a first-come basis; plan for lean-tos to be occupied and carry a flexible plan for sleeping arrangements.

Navigation is typically straightforward but still wilderness-appropriate: the NPT is marked with blue trail markers on the ground, yet occasional limited signage at junctions means you’ll want maps/guidebook support rather than relying on sight alone.

More information: Thru-Hike the Northville-Placid Trail in 9 Days (as a First-Time ..., Northville-Placid Trail Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Guide, Northville-Placid Trail - Albany-Schenectady Chapter ADK