High Peaks Scenic Byway

One of 13 Scenic Byways of the Adirondack North Country

• Keene and Keene Valley - There are hundreds of trails, not the least of which leads to the summit of Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in New York State. Camping, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing are among the wintertime activities. In summer, the AuSable River provides trout fishing, secluded swimming holes, and waterfalls. In the early 1800s, despite the difficulties of living in a valley surrounded by mountains where flooding frequently washed everything away, farmers, gristmill and sawmill owners, and merchants supplying small articles of daily needs settled most of the arable lands along the AuSable River valleys. Hiking, health, capturing nature on canvas and waxing philosophical in the mountain air turned Keene and Keene Valley into a summer resort. More history about these hamlets is at Valley History and History of Keene and Keene Valley and for those who enjoy an indepth reading of local history, there is Town Historian, James Bailey's version.
  A small, selective collection of 19th and early 20th century landscape paintings hanging in the main reading room of the restored Keene Valley Library reflect the long tradition of artists finding inspiration in the High Peaks Region. A more recent contribution to the collection is a group of fine sculptures by Nina Winkel, a resident of Keene Valley and a much admired artist.
• Lake Placid - This year round ski resort, and twice host of the Olympics, is surrounded by views of the High Peaks and is on two lakes, Mirror Lake, which you can walk around, and Lake Placid. The many shops, restaurants and lodgings make for a cosmopolitan experience. For those wishing to visit the Olympic Venues and learn more about this region's sport history, ORDA provides the adrenalin junkie and history buff equally rewarding moments. Halfway between Lake Placid and Wilmington is the nearby Whiteface Mountain with the longest vertical slope in the Northeast. Lake Placid hosts many events, one of them is the annual Lake Placid Horse Show held in late June/early July. View Lake Placid anytime at Weatherview.
  From May to October the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Train adventure is a 20 mile round trip from Lake Placid Station to Saranac Lake Union Depot. In 1840, Peter Smith's son Gerrit, sold and gave away much of the land where the Town of North Elba and the village of Lake Placid now are. Among the land he gave away was the property of "Timbuctoo", a settlement of free blacks who came to the area to farm and gain voting rights. In 1849, John Brown, the abolitionist, moved to the area to assist them in their farming. A more indepth history is at History of Essex County.


Find additional visitor information on available services, food, accommodations, events, etc. at the following websites;
Lake Placid/Essex County CVB
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council

Maps of Adirondack North Country
and Tourist Oriented Signage