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Adirondack Mountain Hiking Challenges

Discover a variety of hiking challenges in the Adirondacks, from family-friendly trails to the High Peaks, fire towers to breweries (really!), these challenges include a little something for everyone.

view from summit
View from Beckman Mountain, part of the Chester Challenge

Each of the below challenges includes its own rules and regulations to achieve a winners patch. Make sure to read the details carefully, adequately prepare for your hikes, and hike within your means. Good luck out there!

Town, Communities & Organization Sponsored Challenges

The 4-3-2-1

The 4-3-2-1 is a customizable hiking challenge based around Indian Lake, NY. Participants must choose a combination of easy, moderate, and difficult hikes.

The Adirondack Fifty Falls Challenge

The Adirondack Fifty Falls Challenges is a little different from the others, as you need to buy a (comprehensive, fantastic) book of the same name to access the list of 50 waterfalls. This challenge features lesser-known falls outside of the High Peaks region, to encourage hikers to explore other areas of the Park.

The Adirondack Forty-Sixers

To complete this difficult challenge, summit all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains.

The Chester Challenge

The Chester Challenge is a family-friendly hiking challenge that focuses on the lesser known trails in the Town of Chester.

The Cranberry Lake 50

To conquer this challenge, hike the 50 mile loop around Cranberry Lake - the third largest lake in the Adirondacks - over multiple days or seasons.

The Fire Tower Challenge

To be a Fire Tower Challenge member, climb peaks topped with vintage fire towers in the Adirondacks and the Catskills.

The Great 8 Challenge

The family-friendly Great 8 Challenge from St. Lawrence County is actually three separate challenges, each of which contains eight trails.

Hamilton County Fire Tower Challenge

The Hamilton County Fire Tower Challenge encompasses all of the fire tower hikes within the County.

The Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge

Also family friendly, the Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge welcomes you to hike, bike, or paddle 12 of 17 chosen locations in the Inlet area.

The Moriah Challenge

The Moriah Challenge is a seasonal hiking challenge based around the Moriah/Port Henry area in the Adirondacks and features four family friendly hikes.

The Saranac Lake 6er

To finish this challenge, you must climb all 6 of the Adirondack mountains surrounding Saranac Lake.

The Northern Pathways Challenge

Hike three of five specified trails to complete the Northern Pathways Challenge, an Adirondack hiking challenge organized by Champlain Area Trails (CATS). 

Northville-Placid Trail Challenge

To complete the Northville-Placid Trail challenge, hikers must complete the enter 135-mile trail either in one trip from end-to-end, or in sections.

The Waterfall Challenge

To complete the Waterfall Challenge, hikers must collect a total of 12 points after visiting several waterfalls, each of which count as 1 to 4 points.

Privately or Individually Run Challenges

ADK-9 Challenge

To complete the ADK-9 challenge, hikers must complete nine dog-friendly hikes in the Adirondacks, with or without a dog.

The Adirondack Blue Challenge

To complete the Adirondack Blue Challenge, hikers must hike a total of 10 mountains in the northern Adirondacks.

The Fulton Chain Trifecta

The Fulton Chain Trifecta is a hiking challenge centered in the Old Forge, NY area. Hikers must climb Black Bear Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Bald Mountain.

The Lake George 12ster Challenge

The Lake George 12ster is a Lake George Region hiking challenge. Hikers are challenged to summit peaks on the east and west side of the lake.

Wonders of Wilmington Hiking Challenge

The Wonders of Wilmington Hiking Challenge highlights lesser-known trails in the Wilmington area, with a bonus hike at Whiteface Mountain.

See Winter Hiking Challenges in the Lake George region »

Check the Around the Region blog for current hiking conditions »

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