Overview
HIKING AT MT. VAN HOEVENBERG
From offering easy-breezy strolls to more challenging Adirondack hikes, the Lake Placid Olympic Sites are welcoming all abilities of hikers. At Mt. Van Hoevenberg, we are very excited to introduce our new Hiking Center. We provide ample parking, hiker facilities including 24-restrooms, dining, and retail, and several on-site activities! We do not require reservations to hike our trails.
Home to the new Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail and several other hikes, you’ll discover how we have incorporated physical fitness, mountain adventure, and environmental education to make your time with us fun, healthy, and memorable. Our beautiful trails will put you into the wilderness, but keep you close to modern conveniences and attractions.
Check out our informative “Before You Arrive” tab to read up on how best to enjoy our facilities. The “Our Trails” is a nice inventory of our hikes- discover which one is best for you or plan to explore them all!
Before You Arrive
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Parking
If you are hiking at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, please park in Lot 3.
Registration
The East Mountain Trail Head Registration Kiosk can be found past the outrun of the 1980 track. For front-country hiking on the nordic & biking trails during the summer months, please register at the front of the Mountain Pass Lodge. A kiosk will be there for you to fill out your information.
Things to Bring
- Hiking Gear
- Daypack
- Navigation
- Map / GPS / Phone
- Clothing / Footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
- Always bring extra layers as summit temperatures are much colder than base temperatures
- Hiking boots or closed-toe shoes suited to the terrain
- Rainwear
- Personal Items
- Credit Card and/or cash
- ID
- Cellphone
- Hand Sanitizer
- Food & Water
- Water bottles and/or reservoir
- Water filter/purifier
- Trail Snacks
- Lunch
- Extra day’s supply of food
- Plenty of water
- Emergency Items
- First-aid kit or supplies
- Emergency Shelter
- Lighter/matches & firestarter
- Whistle
- Knife or multi-tool
- Sun/Bug Protection
- sunglasses
- sun-protective clothes
- sunscreen
- Insect Repellant
- Extras
- Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Camera
- Interpretive Field Guide
- Outdoor Journal/Sketchbook with pen or pencil
- Binoculars
Our Trails
MVH East Trail
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Total Average Time & Distance: 2.5 Hours | 4.7 Miles Round Trip
This is one of the newest trails in the Adirondacks! It was opened to the public in October 2018 and is a model for sustainable trail design. From the register, hikers begin a gentle climb to one of the finest views of the High Peaks. Switchbacks are used throughout the trail so the climb does not get too steep as it meanders through the woods. In the spring, you’ll see tons of bright wildflowers. The hardened trail is easy on the knees.
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. This is an out-and-back hike.
Sleeping Giant
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Total Average Time & Distance: 1.25 Hours | 2.7 Mile Loop
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. This social distancing compliant trail offers an intermediate hike that is a lovely journey in the Adirondack Forest on the Biathlon Side of our Olympic Venue. This is a loop hike.
Nested Loop
Difficulty level: More Difficult
Total Average Time & Distance: 1.75 Hours | 3.3 Mile Loop
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. This social distancing compliant trail offers an intermediate hike that is a lovely journey in the Adirondack Forest on the Cross Country Side of our Olympic Venue. This is a loop hike.
Lover’s Lane
Difficulty Level: Easier
Total Average Time & Distance: 45 Minutes | 1.4 Mile Loop
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. This social distancing compliant trail offers an easy family hike that is a lovely journey in the Adirondack Forest on the Cross Country Side of our Olympic Venue. This is a loop hike.
Hi-Notch
Difficulty Level: Most Difficult
Total Average Time & Distance: 2 Hours | 3.3 Mile Loop
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. This social distancing compliant trail offers a more difficult hike that is a lovely journey in the Adirondack Forest on the Cross Country Side of our Olympic Venue. This is a loop hike.
MVH Mt. Bike & Summer Walking Trails
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Total Average Time & Distance: Varies | 12 Miles – Variety of Loops
Existing trail with a trailhead, register, trail markers, and based out of the Mountain Pass Lodge. Parking for hiking is in Lot 3, retail and services are available inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. The single-track biking and hiking trails of MVH offer a unique journey in the Adirondack Forest. These are loop hikes and bike trails.
Venue Activities & Attractions
Cliffside Coaster
Enjoy a scenic ride to the top of the Cliffside Coaster and learn about the inspiring Olympic history of the Lake Placid Sliding Center. Once you reach the top, you control the ride. You have the ability to go as slow or as fast as you’d like. Race your family & friends alongside the 1980 bobsled track to the bottom of the Cliffside Coaster, the longest Mountain Coaster in the USA. We promise you’ll love it so much you’ll want to race again!
Mountain Pass Lodge Cafe
The Mountain Pass Lodge Café is the main dining space at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. With a menu that is sure to please any type of eater, from Vegan eater to Burger fan, we have something for everyone. Stop in while you are at Mt. Van Hoevenberg for a hike, cross-country ski, waiting for a mountain coaster ride, or just looking for someplace different for lunch. We also have grab n’ go items for your hike, in case you forgot your snacks at home! We will also be your stop for post-hike snacks and beverages! We will be happy to see you and ready to serve you!
Mountain Biking
It doesn’t get more fun and invigorating than mountain biking at Mt. Van Hoevenberg! We have more than 30 km of trails that climb, dip and twist through pristine stands of Adirondack hardwoods and sky-scraping pines. If you’re a veteran trail rider, you’ll find plenty to challenge you: all the jumps, steeps and hairpin turns you could ever want and terrain that varies from open meadows to single-track in secluded forests.
Mountain Pass Mercantile
Located on the first floor in the Mountain Pass Lodge, the Mountain Pass Mercantile is a great place to begin your visit to Mt. Van Hoevenberg. This is where you can learn about events at the Olympic venues, pick up schedules, and purchase lift tickets, and event tickets. Our friendly staff will answer questions about Mt. Van Ho, give you directions, and help you get the most out of your visit. We also have an array of unique Mt. Van Hoevenberg winter sports memorabilia —jackets, fleeces, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, pins, and posters you won’t find elsewhere. Featuring merchandise from Stormtech, MV, Turtle Fur, the Bobsled and Luge Federations, and more.