Gravel, great camps, and overnight options

The Adirondack Hub has quietly become one of the best-kept secrets for gravel riders in the Adirondacks. The region stretches from the shoulder of the High Peaks all the way into Hamilton County, six towns (Minerva, North Hudson, Schroon Lake, Newcomb, Long Lake, and Indian Lake) linked by quiet roads, old carriage trails, and some of the most remote gravel in the park.

This isn't a region you ride through quickly. It's a region you plan a trip around. Got an afternoon or a long weekend? String together day rides, overnight routes, and the camping and in-town stops that make it all work.

Day rides

Great Camp Santanoni, Newcomb

The old carriage road to Santanoni is one of the easiest entry points into this region's history on two wheels. The wide, gently graded gravel road winds through the forest to Newcomb Lake, where the only publicly owned Great Camp in the Adirondacks sits along the water’s edge. Managed as part of the state Forest Preserve, the route is roughly 10 miles round trip with about 690 feet of total elevation gain. 

Motorized traffic, including e-bikes, isn't allowed past the gate, so the road stays quiet. Come winter, the carriage road transforms into a popular cross-country ski trail, offering another way to experience the route. Check the Great Camp Santanoni website for the latest information on tour schedules, guided tours, events, and other seasonal updates.

Boreas Ponds Gravel Route, North Hudson

Gulf Brook Road provides access to the Boreas Ponds Tract, one of the newer and wilder additions to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, and offers several ways to tackle the route depending on the level of difficulty you're after. Choose from an easy route of 6.9 miles with 525 feet of elevation gain, an intermediate route of 13.2 miles with 1,255 feet of elevation gain, or a difficult route of 19.6 miles with 1,769 feet of elevation gain. The easy route is seasonal, when the entrance gate is open and motor vehicle access to the recommended starting point is possible. Learn more about the Boreas Ponds routes on the Adirondack Hub page.

As you ride toward the ponds, the High Peaks—including Marcy, Haystack, Gothics, and Saddleback—rise in the distance. Bikes aren't allowed past the dam, but the ride still delivers an impressive finish at the edge of the 320-acre Boreas Ponds, surrounded by Forest Preserve in every direction. With camping options throughout the surrounding Boreas Ponds Tract area, it's also easy to turn the ride into an overnight adventure.

Black Fly Challenge Course, Indian Lake to Inlet

If you want a taste of what makes this region a genuine gravel destination, ride the course used for the annual Black Fly Challenge. The full route can be ridden from Indian Lake to Inlet or in the opposite direction, with either option covering about 40 miles and 2,500 feet of elevation gain. More than half of the course cuts through the Moose River Recreation Area on a mix of dirt, gravel, sand, and exposed rock, with real elevation change built in.

Ride the full course in a single day for a challenging day trip, or take your time and split it into two days, with a variety of camping options along the way. Either way, you'll get a taste of the rugged terrain and backcountry riding that has helped the Black Fly Challenge develop a cult following among Adirondack gravel riders.

Overnight and multi-day routes

Blue Ridge Road, Newcomb to North Hudson

Blue Ridge Road is the connective tissue of the region, linking Newcomb and North Hudson across a mix of paved road and gravel shoulders. For a longer overnight adventure, use it as the backbone of a two-day route, with options to add side trips, camp along the way, or extend your ride into the North Hudson and Schroon Lake area. You can even turn the outing into a two-night adventure by stopping at the Boreas Ponds Tract and dedicating a day to riding Gulf Brook Road to the dam before continuing toward North Hudson.

Day 1: Newcomb to Blue Ridge Falls / North Hudson (20–25 miles)

Begin in Newcomb near the Route 28N junction, where you can grab last-minute snacks or water before turning onto Blue Ridge Road (CR 84). Roll east through rolling, heavily forested terrain with minimal traffic, enjoying long, sweeping descents and intermittent mountain views along the way. For extra miles and a dose of local history, take a side trip toward Tahawus or the Adirondack Interpretive Center trail networks. In the afternoon, stop at Blue Ridge Falls Viewpoint to take in the roadside cascades before continuing toward North Hudson. For the night, pitch your tent at a primitive designated campsite along the corridor, or opt for a campground with more amenities at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks or Frontier Town Campground.

Day 2: North Hudson Return

Start the day by exploring the gravel tracks around the area, or head south toward Schroon Lake for breakfast and local coffee. When you're ready to wrap up the trip, retrace your route toward Newcomb.

Teddy's Trail

For riders looking to rack up some serious mileage, Teddy's Trail is an 80-mile loop through the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest, with long views of the Hudson River and plenty of options for a two-day adventure. Camp at a regional campground or primitive site, or take advantage of lodging and dining in Newcomb, Minerva, North Creek, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and Long Lake. As a closed loop, there’s no single “right” way to ride it, so choose your starting point based on your preferred mileage, parking, or connection to the route’s history. The trail commemorates Vice President Theodore Roosevelt’s September 1901 journey through the Adirondacks, making Newcomb a particularly fitting place to begin.

Day 1: Newcomb to Indian Lake (via Long Lake & Blue Mountain Lake)

Covering roughly 36 miles, Day 1 combines sustained mountain climbs, steep descents, and scenic lakeside stretches along Routes 28N and 30. Begin in Newcomb, where Theodore Roosevelt was staying when he learned he would become president, then head west on Route 28N toward Long Lake through remote wilderness with High Peaks views before dropping into town for lunch or snacks along the water. From there, turn south onto Route 30 toward Blue Mountain Lake, with steady climbing and a chance to stop at the Adirondack Experience Museum, before continuing southeast through deep forests and past small ponds to Indian Lake. Spend the night at Lewey Lake Campground just south of town or at one of the primitive campsites around Indian Lake.

Day 2: Indian Lake to Newcomb (via North Creek & Minerva)

Covering roughly 44 miles, Day 2 winds through rolling river valleys, follows the Upper Hudson River, and climbs gradually along wide-shouldered country highways. Head east from Indian Lake on Route 28 toward North Creek, a scenic stretch that parallels the Boreas and Hudson Rivers. In North Creek, take a break for a full grocery resupply or bakery stop before crossing the Hudson River and turning north onto Route 28N toward Minerva. From there, continue through the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest, where long climbs and wide-open mountain views make for a challenging finish before the route brings you back to Newcomb.

In town

Each of the six Hub towns (Minerva, North Hudson, Schroon Lake, Newcomb, Indian Lake, and Long Lake) has its own quirks and character worth exploring. Beyond riding, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for paddling, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor adventures, while attractions, dining, lodging, and other amenities make it easy to build in a little time off the bike. The region’s quintessential Adirondack general stores are also worthwhile stops, whether you need to stock up on snacks and supplies for the road or simply want to make a detour part of the adventure.

A few notes before you go

This is a fall-or-summer trip depending on what you're after. Summer gives you the longest daylight for bigger loops like Teddy's Trail; fall brings cooler riding temperatures, fewer bugs on the Moose River Plains sections, and better color if you're timing it for the leaves. Either way, cell service is spotty to nonexistent through most of these routes, so carry a paper map or downloaded GPX file, tell someone your route, and pack more water than you think you'll need. Gravel out here can turn to sand, rock, or washboard without much warning. Most importantly, practice Leave No Trace principles and respect the land, communities, and other people sharing these routes. Pack out what you pack in, stay on designated roads and trails, and help protect the wild character that makes the Adirondacks such a special place to ride.