Hike

Hadley Mountain Trail

The Hadley Mountain Trail is a popular, moderate 3.6-mile round-trip hike located in the southern Adirondacks. The trail offers a rewarding climb with panoramic views from the summit’s restored fire tower. The hike provides a mix of steep and gentle sections, passing through a landscape marked by bedrock, boulders, and cliffs, all shaped by the area’s history of forest fires. The summit delivers breathtaking views of the Great Sacandaga Lake to the south, along with scenic vistas in all directions, especially from the fire tower.

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Photo by Dan Novak.

Hadley Mountain Trail - Karina Benninger

Photo by Karina Benninger.

Explore Hadley Mountain

The Hadley Mountain Trail is part of the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest and traverses public Forest Preserve land. Starting from the trailhead, hikers immediately begin a moderate ascent, following red markers through the woodland.

3.6 mi

2.5 hours

1,525 feet

Moderate

43.374° N, 73.951° W

El. 2,653 ft

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Trans Alps Adventure

Directions & Parking

Parking is available at the trailhead on Tower Rd, accessible via Hadley Hill Rd and Eddy Rd.

Plan Your Route

Hadley Mountain Trail – Dan Novak

Hadley Mountain Trail – kehanselman

Hadley Mountain Trail – Karina Benninger

Hadley Mountain Trail – Dan Novak

Hadley Mountain Trail – Elaine Winslow, Spring Beauty

Hadley Mountain Trail – Dan Novak

Hadley Mountain Trail – Jennifer Kietzman

Hadley Mountain Trail – Dan Novak

Hadley Mountain Trail – Becky Gurney, Fire Tower

Hadley Mountain Trail – Jennifer Kietzman

Hadley Mountain Trail – Elaine Winslow, Summit in Winter

Jennifer Kietzman, Rock Formation Informally Known as Turtle Rock

Things You Don’t Want to Miss

Trail Highlights

The trail includes interesting boulders, cliffs, and bedrock, a result of the mountain’s recovery from early 20th-century forest fires. The summit features a restored 40-foot fire tower built in 1917, offering expansive views for those who climb it. Even without ascending the tower, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the Great Sacandaga Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Tour and Stopovers

For all those who stand on this mountain’s summit and look over the vast green valleys and mountains they should appreciate all that they see because the great fires of 1903 and 1908 burned basically all the green that comes into view. The top of Hadley Mountain was also burned, and the soil was sterilized and still has not fully recovered.

— Paul Laskey, The Fire Observation Tower of New York State

What to Know Before You Go

Trail Rules

Before embarking on your hike up Hadley Mountain, it’s important to be aware of a few key rules designed to protect the environment and ensure the safety of all hikers. By following these guidelines, you help preserve the natural beauty of the mountain and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts.

Stay on marked trails to protect the environment and minimize damage.
Carry out all trash to keep the area clean.
Leash pets at all times to avoid disturbing wildlife.
No motor vehicles or hunting as part of the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.
No fires due to the area’s history of forest fires.

Trail Map

Trail Rules

More Journeys

Similar Routes

Similar Routes

A History of Wildfires, Restoration, and Preservation

In the early 20th century, Hadley Mountain and parts of the West Mountain Ridge were severely impacted by wildfires in 1903, 1908, 1911, and 1915. To protect the area and monitor fire activity, a 40-foot steel fire tower was erected on Hadley Mountain in 1917, originally from Ohmer Mountain. The tower served as a fire lookout until its closure by the DEC in 1990. Over the years, various observers manned the tower, including notable figures like William Madison, John Briner, and George Vickary.

In 1995, the Hadley Mountain Fire Tower Committee collaborated with the DEC to restore the tower and the observer’s cabin. Restoration efforts included replacing windows, stairs, landings, and other materials, many of which were flown to the summit by helicopter. The restoration continued through the late 1990s, with repainting in 1998 and roof replacement in 2000. Thanks to these efforts, the tower remains a prominent feature of Hadley Mountain, offering visitors stunning views from the summit.

Follow the Hadley Mountain Fire Committee on Facebook.

Learn More

Get Involved

Take the Challenge

Are you ready to conquer the outdoors? Register for the Gateway 8 Challenge and explore Saratoga and Warren County’s most scenic hiking, biking, and paddling routes. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to the trails, this challenge offers the perfect mix of stunning views and physical achievement.

Lace up your boots, grab your gear, and start your adventure today!

Hadley Mountain Trail

Explore Hadley Mountain

Plan Your Route