BIKING

A perfect ride exists for every biking enthusiast in the Ticonderoga area of upstate New York. This region offers scenic routes for every skill level around picturesque lakes, through quaint towns like Ticonderoga and Hague, and over the stunning Adirondack Mountains. With access to a range of other activities such as water sports, hiking, tours of historical sites, and more, Ticonderoga is the perfect place to plan your next bike trip. The two most popular bike routes are the Empire State Trail, which goes through the entirety of New York state, and the many local trails around Ticonderoga.

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Empire State Trail

In 2017, The Empire State Trail was proposed. It was made to connect many discontinuous trails around the state into a 750-mile long trail going north to south from New York City to the Canadian border and east to west from Albany to Buffalo. Our portion of the EST goes on New York State Bike Route 9/Route 22. We recommended starting in Whitehall and taking the EST north through Ticonderoga’s vibrant town center, a perfect place to stop and enjoy a meal on your way or to plan your entire trip around.

Whitehall to Ti

  • This is a 25 mile (50 total) ride that includes an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet taking you along the New York side of Lake Champlain.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
  • Highlights: Lower Lake Road taking you downtown to Putnam Station where you can spend the afternoon, diversion to Gull Bay, to Glenburnie, the Fort
  • Link to Map

Ti to Crown Point

  • From Ticonderoga to Crown Point is a 9.2 (18.4 total) mile following Route 22/9N. For a longer ride, bike all the way out to the Crown Point Historic Historic Area, a 14.8-mile route ending at the bridge to Vermont (the Champlain Bridge). This site has lots of space to sit and enjoy a picnic and take in the history at Fort Crown Point.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: end at CP, enjoy the view of the lake, get to cross the bridge, walk around the Fort/Historic Site

Crown Point to Westport

  • Riding from Crown Point to Westport along the EST is a 17.7 (35.4 total) mile trip on Route 22/New York State Bike Route 9.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Highlights: ride along Lake Champlain, go through Port Henry, downtown CP
  • Link to Map
  • Links & Info
  • Empire State Trail
  • EST Full Trail Map
  • NYS Bike Route 9

Local Trails

There’s a number of local trails between Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Hague, and Putnam. You can easily bike through multiple towns and mix and match trails and routes from the ones listed here to create your perfect bike trip. Many of these rides will take you along Lake George, a small and beautiful lake known for its pristine waters and the gorgeous mountains that surround it. These routes are lovely in the summer with lush greenery and cool breezes. In early fall, the magnificent color display of the turning foliage has to be seen to be believed.

Baldwin Road

  • A quick 4-mile (8 total) ride from the center of Ticonderoga (eight miles there and back) through a mostly flat road. Getting up to Baldwin Road from the center of Ticonderoga has some longer, but gently sloping hills.   
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: Might get to see some wildlife, several historic spots (Abercrombie’s Landing and Carillon Outpost), can rest at the gazebo at the Baldwin Docks and enjoy views of the lake, Cook Mountain Preserve
  • Link to Map

Blackpoint Road

  • Blackpoint Road: Another short, 4.8 (9.6 total) mile ride out Black Point Road on the opposite side of Lake George.   
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: ride along with the lake, stop at Black Point to admire the views, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy at Black Point Beach
  • Link to Map

Bike Around the Fort

  • This 6-mile loop goes around Fort Ticonderoga, a historic Fort which played important parts in both the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. 
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: go around the fort, see the lake, can get something to eat at the Cafe, stop at King’s Garden
  • Link to Map

Bike to Putnam

  • Another lighter route, biking from Ticonderoga to Putnam Station is an 8.4 (16.8 total) ride.  
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: Putnam town center, get some lunch at in Benson, VT at Willie’s BBQ
  • Link to Map

Airport Road

  • A 9.8-loop going towards Crown Point before turning onto a rural road with beautiful views, though it is steep in places.  
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: This paved road is easy to peddle on and the rolling New England fields are beautiful spring, summer, or fall.
  • Link to Map

Bike to Hague

  • A 9.2-mile (18.4 total) route to Hague, another small town with a range of fun activities. There are some hills as well as a narrow shoulder in some places. 
  • Degree of Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Highlights: ride near the lake for some of it, once in Hague you can get something to eat, Hague beach, a few local shops, more bike routes around Hague
  • Link to Map 

Bike Into VT (Addison)

  • A 23-mile (46 total) route with many great places to stop including Crown Point on your way to Vermont. This ride is complete with long roads, lake views, and lovely places to stop and get something to eat. You can loop back around through Vermont instead of New York to make it back to Ticonderoga. 
  • Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
  • Highlights: Get to enjoy views of Lake Champlain and bike across the Champlain Bridge, ride through downtown Crown Point and enjoy the historic sites it has to offer, can enjoy other activities in VT such as birding (link to that page)
  • Link to Map + Link to Map of return through VT

Route 74 to Schroon Lake

  • A 21 (42 total) mile ride from Lake George to Schroon Lake, another beautiful upstate New York lake. There’s lots to enjoy at Schroon Lake and places to stop all along the way to enjoy nature and eat a picnic lunch. 
  • Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
  • Highlights: Enjoy all that Schroon Lake has to offer and learn more about the town of Schroon
  • Link to Map

9N to Crown Point Then Loop Back Around to Ticonderoga Via Shore-Airport Road

  • This route begins the same as biking directly there and back to Crown Point, but you can make it a 30-mile loop by turning onto a rural road.  
  • Degree of Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Highlights: stop in downtown Crown Point, Airport Road has several hills which makes for an interesting and challenging ride   
  • Link to Map  

Bike & Equipment Sales & Rentals

Looking to purchase or rent a bike and equipment? Enquire at several bike shops in the region. 

  • Brant Lake:
  • The Hub
  • Glens Falls:
  • Grey Ghost Bicycles, has also expanded to Saratoga Springs
  • Inside Edge Ski & Bike
  • Rick’s Bike Shop
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • Plattsburg:
  • Maui North – Ski, Bike & Board
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • Viking Ski N’ Cycle
  • Play it Again Sports
  • Lake Placid
  • Placid Planet Bicycles
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • High Peaks Cyclery
  • Eastern Mountain Sports

Bike Repair & Maintenance

For your repair and maintenance needs the Aubuchon Hardware in Ticonderoga carries small bike parts and patch kits and there are Stewart’s convenience stores and other gas stations all around the Ticonderoga area. At the Empire State Trailhead in Bicentennial Park, there is a rest space with a trail map and several tools available for bikers. The Hub at Brant Lake is a bar and restaurant that doubles as a bike repair shop, go in for a tune-up and enjoy a local craft beer while you wait. 

Three Perfect Days of Biking in Ticonderoga

Around Ticonderoga, it’s easy to plan three perfect days of biking including rides, places to eat, and other activities for enthusiasts of all levels. For an easy bike trip we recommend

Day 1: Easing into It with a Day at the Beach 

  • Eats: Pick up lunch beforehand at Libby’s Bakery Cafe and stock up on other beach snacks at the Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op 
  • Ride: Blackpoint Road: A short, 4.8-mile ride out Black Point Road on the opposite side of Lake George
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: Ride along with lake
  • Stop at Black Point to admire the views
  • Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy at Black Point Beach
  • Link to Map
  • Other activities:
  • Enjoy swimming and other water sports at the Black Point Beach

Day 2: All Day Fun at Fort Ticonderoga

  • Eats: Enjoy an afternoon meal at America’s Fort Cafe 
  • Ride: Bike around the Fort: A 6-mile loop around Fort Ticonderoga, a historic Fort that played important parts in both the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights: Go around the Fort and take in the history, enjoy the regularly scheduled daily programs, reenactments, a boat cruise, and museum exhibitions.
  • Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Lake Champlain
  • Take a leisurely stroll through King’s Garden
  • Link to Map

Day 3: Victory Lap

  • Eats: Start your final day right with a classic American breakfast at the Hot Biscuit Diner, a Ticonderoga institution.
  • Ride: Baldwin Road: A quick 4-mile ride from the center of Ticonderoga (eight miles there and back) on a long, flat road. Getting up to Baldwin Road from the center of Ticonderoga has some longer, but gently sloping hills.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Highlights:
  • Might get to see some wildlife
  • Several historic spots (Abercrombie’s Landing and Carillon Outpost)
  • Can rest at the gazebo at the Baldwin Docks and enjoy views of the lake,
  • Cook Mountain Preserve
  • Link to Map
  • Other Activities:
  • Once back in Ti, go to the Hancock House for a peek into Ticonderoga’s historic past or to the Star Trek Set Tour for your Sci-Fi fix.

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