The North Country National Scenic Trail is America's longest National Scenic Trail, stretching 4,800 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, linking eight states, 10 National Forests, and more than 150 public lands providing year-round public recreation opportunity.

Hiking the North Country National Scenic Trail

While the eastern terminus has moved to Vermont, New York state hosts nearly 700 miles of the NCNST, and hiking any portion of it is a great way to experience the outdoors. Here is a brief overview of the path the NCNST takes through the Lake Champlain Region. For more detailed info, see the NCNST website.

In the Lake Champlain Region, the NCNST enters via the Adirondack Hub and Schroon Lake. It then leaves Schroon Lake, skirts through the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, then travels backroads north of it. Mostly road walks, the path still offers views along the way of Paradox Lake (Paradox Lake Campground is closeby), Flemings Pond, Penfield Pond, and eventually Lake Champlain. As the trail makes a bearing due north, you'll reach large fields, and end the New York state portion of the trail at Crown Point State Historic Site.

From taking a right at Route 9 to ending at Crown Point, the Lake Champlain Region portion of the NCNST is 30 miles long with 2,010 feet of elevation gain.

Find more legendary trails in the Lake Champlain Region

Want to find more hikes near the NCNST in the Lake Champlain Region’s open spaces? With the Lake Champlain Region’s extensive trail network, there are endless options to choose from!