DEC Announces 23-Mile Northville-Placid Trail Rerouting Now Complete

Final 7.3-Mile Section Now Open for Public Recreation

More than 23 miles of new trail on the famed Northville-Placid Trail route are open for public recreation in the Adirondacks, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today. The new trail reroutes eliminate 15.5 miles of road walking along the route.

"The Northville-Placid Trail, one of the premiere long trails in the Northeast, now provides an improved hiking experience for day users and through hikers," Director Stegemann said. "DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Club - the original builders of the Northville-Placid Trail - worked together to get hikers off the road and into the woods. DEC continues to provide great experiences for outdoor recreationists while protecting the natural resources of the Adirondacks treasured by residents and visitors alike. Hikers can stop in the communities along the way to stock up on supplies, enjoy a good meal at a local establishment and shower and sleep at one of the many lodging facilities."

The now 135-mile Northville-Placid Trail traverses the heart of the Adirondacks from the village of Northville in Fulton County in the south to the village of Lake Placid in Essex County in the north. Along the way it passes through or near the communities of Piseco, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake and Long Lake.

"The Adirondack Mountain Club is proud to have had the opportunity to design and build the last major re-route of the Northville-Placid Trail," said Adirondack Mountain Club North Country Operations Director Wes Lampman. "Building the N-P Trail was the first major project that ADK undertook in 1922. This 8.5 mile reroute into Shaker Mountain Wild Forest and away from paved roads brings the trail closer to the original vision of a premier long distance trail through the wilderness of the Adirondack Park."

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) completed the Northville-Lake Placid Trail 91 years ago after two years of construction.

DEC and ADK have worked to improve the quality of the hiking experience on the Northville-Placid Trail. During the past six years:

• DEC has expended more than $300,000 of Environmental Protection Fund Stewardship monies on reroutes, foot bridge construction, basic maintenance and other improvements;
• The Adirondack Mountain Club Professional Trail Crew was hired to complete six major projects along the Northville-Placid Trail including the reroutes;
• Volunteers from the Adirondack Mountain Club provided more than 3,000 hours of work on the trail; and,
• The Student Conservation Association's Adirondack Program, under DEC contract, expended more than 2,500 hours of member time on projects along the trail.

The most recent section of reroute, completed this summer, replaces 7.6 miles of walking along State Route 30 and the Benson Road in the towns of Northampton, Fulton County and Benson, Hamilton County with an 8.6-mile trail through a tract of the Shaker Mountain Wild Forest.

In 2014, two miles of walking along Benson and Godfrey Roads in the town of Benson was replaced with a 7.3-mile trail in the Silver Lake Wilderness. Additionally the trailhead for southern terminus of Northville-Placid Trail was moved to Waterfront Park in the village of Northville.

The first reroute, completed in 2009, replaced 5.9 miles of walking along the Cedar River Road, in the Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County with 7.6 miles of trail through the Blue Ridge Wilderness.

Senator Hugh T. Farley said, "I applaud these improvements to the legendary Northville-Lake Placid Trail. These reroutes have made a great trail even better, and they further enhance the wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities that are available throughout the Adirondacks."

"I applaud the cooperation and work of the DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Club in rerouting the portions of the Northville-Lake Placid walking trail which used to run alongside roadways to more scenic wooded locations," said Assemblyman Marc W. Butler. "I know many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will be excited about the increased length of the trail and continued access to supplies and amenities in our small communities along the way. I am always happy to support efforts to improve the quality of and access to our state parks and forests to benefit residents and attract tourists."

"Governor Cuomo and DEC are ensuring the Adirondacks are a renowned destination for visitors from across the nation and the world," Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors William G. Farber. "The Northville-Placid Trail was one of the first efforts to connect the Forest Preserve lands to Adirondack communities. Continuing these efforts today ensures viable communities, a strong tourism economy and conservation and protection of the lands and waters of the Adirondacks."

"Adding this re-route to the southern end of the NPT complements the local trail features," said Fulton County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ralph Ottuso. "Along with the past investments in Northville, this is a positive step for hikers and others accessing the trail."

"I want to thank DEC for moving the Northville-Placid Trail off State Route 30 and County Route 6 and creating a beautiful scenic hike in the Adirondack Park and the town of Benson," said town of Benson Supervisor Phillip Snyder. "Special thanks for all the volunteers that help make this happen."

"I hope these improvements to the Northville-Lake Placid Trail will bring attention to the Northville/Northampton area," said Town of Northampton Supervisor James Groff. "We have a great deal to offer in a beautiful Adirondack setting."