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Bicycling & Mountain Biking

Loon Lake Tour
Distance: 9 miles round trip
This route can be combined with the Friends Lake Tour
Area map

Park at Dynamite Hill, the Town of Chester Recreation Area. Start heading west on Route 8 (take a right from Dynamite Hill) past the Lincoln Logs facility – the original! Then you will see Mill Pond on your left. Continue on for two miles, then turn right onto White Schoolhouse Road, along which you may notice a large section of blow-downs from the 1995 wind storm that hit the Adirondacks. At Route 9 you will take a sharp left and will soon be riding along scenic Loon Lake. At the intersection of Route 9 and 8, take a left onto Route 8 and head past O.P. Fredericks – a great local restaurant and pub – then to the Loon Lake beach. There you can take a break; swim or just enjoy the view. It's only a two-mile leg back to Dynamite Hill, though there is often a bit of a head wind in this section.

Friends Lake Tour
Distance: 10 miles round trip
Area map

Park at Dynamite Hill, the Town of Chester Recreation Area. Start heading west on Route 8 (take a right from Dynamite Hill) past the Lincoln Logs facility – the original! Then you will see Mill Pond on your left. Continue on for two miles, then turn left onto Friends Lake Road. After a mile, you will see a fork in the road – stay left on Atateka Drive and soon you'll have views of Friends Lake on your right. At the Circle B Ranch, you'll start heading uphill (fairly steep but short) and then look for Friends Lake Road, a sharp right. Start to circle the lake and you will pass the famed Friends Lake Inn, a wonderful full-service lodging, with a great lunch. Continue on Friends Lake Road and turn right on Route 8 heading back toward Chestertown.

Brant Lake Tour
Distance: 21 miles round trip
Distance from Brant Lake at Daby's General Store – 15 miles round trip
Area map

Park at Dynamite Hill, the Town of Chester Recreation Area. Start heading east on Route 8 (take a left from Dynamite Hill). After passing signs for I-87, you will soon cross the Schroon River, near the Chestertown Spring – a natural spring used by summer campers. If you wish to visit the spring, take the first left after the bridge onto Watering Tub Road; after a short pedal, stock up on water then backtrack to Route 8. The road then winds down to Brant Lake (three miles).

For those who want to shorten the trip, just park at Brant Lake, where the route starts at Daby's General Store – a good place to get some picnic supplies. Across the street from Daby’s is the Mill Pond beach at Brant Lake – a great place to take a dip on the return trip. As you reach the end of Brant Lake you will turn left and follow Palisades Road to circle back around the other side of the lake, pass the Mill Pond again, and continue back on Route 8 into Chestertown.

Of special interest along the route are an old stone library and the Town of Horicon Museum, a 1800s farmhouse. The route takes you past elegant camps and beautiful mountain scenery. Spring, summer or fall, this is a great ride.


Mountain Biking

Mountain bikers will want to take advantage of the trails at Gore Mountain in North Creek. A favorite skiing destination, this state-run facility offers ski-mountain biking and holds several competitions each summer.

The Caroline M. Fish Cross Country Trail, a part of the Town of Chester Recreation Area, is a great introduction to mountain biking. The multi-use trail system offers a variety of terrain for varying skill levels.

Garnet Hill Lodge, a full-service cross-country ski center, is fast earning a reputation as a great mountain biking destination as well.


Nearby Biking

The Warren County Bikeway extends from the shore of Lake George to the Glens Falls Feeder Canal. 9.5 miles one way, this paved bikeway leads through forested foothills. Suitable for walking and strollers, some sections are also appropriate for use by people with disabilities. View the online map.

A short drive away in Newcomb, NY is the Great Camp Santanoni Trail, an easy nine-mile round trip. Ride to the partially restored Great Camp Santanoni on a dirt road that starts near an old gatehouse and passes an old farm site on the way.

Bike Adirondacks is a great site to further explore cycling in the Adirondacks.

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