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Whiteface Mountain, New York - Whiteface Mountain, New York  tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance

Whiteface Mountain, New York - Hiking

Adirondacks, New York, United States

Whiteface Mountain, New York Statistics

Difficulty

Very hard

Distance

20 KM

Elevation gain

1,483 meters

What are the activities at Whiteface Mountain, New York ?

Hiking

See photos of hiking at Whiteface Mountain, New York

Why choose a trail at Whiteface Mountain, New York?

Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in the U.S. state of New York, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view of the Adirondacks and clear-day glimpses of Vermont and even Canada, where the skyscrapers of Montreal, 80 miles (130 km) away, can be seen on a very clear day. Located in the town of Wilmington, about 13 miles (21 km) from Lake Placid, the mountain's east slope is home to a major ski area which hosted the alpine skiing competitions of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Unique among the High Peaks, Whiteface features a developed summit and seasonal accessibility by motor vehicle. Whiteface Memorial Highway reaches a parking area at an elevation of 4,600 feet (1,400 m), with the remaining 267 feet (81 m) being obtained by tunnel and elevator. Conceived and initiated prior to the Great Depression, Whiteface Castle and the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway were funded entirely by the state of New York, though the timing of the project led to a widespread belief that they were Depression Era public works projects arising from the New Deal. Construction on the toll road began in 1929, after passage of a necessary amendment to the state constitution, with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring then-New York State Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eventually costing 1.2 million dollars and ending vertically within 300 feet (90 m) of the summit the roadway is 5 miles (8 km) long and features an impressively steep 8% average grade. Officially opened July 20, 1935, in a ceremony featuring Roosevelt, by then President, the highway was dedicated to veterans of the Great War. Whiteface Castle, built with granite excavated during the road construction, dominates the summit area. From the adjacent parking lot there are two routes to the summit proper. The first route is the Stairway Ridge Trail, a footpath with handrails and intermittent cement and stone steps approximately 0.2 miles (0.32 km) long. The second is a 424-foot (129 m) long tunnel into the core of the mountain. At the end of the tunnel is an elevator, which rises 276 feet (84 m), approximately 27 stories, to the summit.

The Whiteface Mountain is located in the Adirondacks, in New York. It is one of the 46 High Peaks in the area. The mountain has an elevation of 4,867 feet and is the fifth highest peak in New York. The Whiteface Mountain is known for its views of the surrounding area, including Lake Placid and the Ausable River Valley. The mountain can be accessed by car or by hiking trails. There are several hiking trails that lead to the summit, including the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. The summit of the mountain offers views of the surrounding area, as well as Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains in Vermont.


What are the services on site?

Rate & open hour

Access fee $ 0.00
Schedule

From sunrise to sunset

Coordinates
-73.903219
44.365795

What are the coordinates and address of Whiteface Mountain, New York?

Whiteface Mountain Ski Center
+1 518-946-7175
Whiteface Memorial Hwy, Wilmington, NY 12997, USA

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5 stars

Based on 36 reviews

Recent reviews

Laura Kiel
Laura Kiel

3 out of 5 stars

Very good place. I recommand this place.

Eileen Wendel
Eileen Wendel

4 out of 5 stars

Very good place. I recommand this place.

Michaele Jones
Michaele Jones

4 out of 5 stars

Very good place. I recommand this place.

Anna Maier
Anna Maier

3 out of 5 stars

It's a real pleasure to go there.

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the Whiteface Mountain, New York in Adirondacks can be accessed from the Wilmington town center. From there, take Route 86 east to the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. There is a parking lot near the entrance to the ski area where hikers can park and access the trails.

Why visit Whiteface Mountain, New York

The Whiteface Mountain is located in the Adirondacks, in New York. It is a popular tourist destination, because of its stunning views and its many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed there. The mountain is part of the Whiteface-Wilmington Historic District, which is a National Historic Landmark. The mountain can be accessed by car, by train, or by hiking. There are many hiking trails that lead to the summit of the mountain, and the views from the top are spectacular. The mountain is also a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Is Whiteface Mountain, New York in Adirondacks a good place for the whole family?

Whiteface Mountain is a great place for the whole family. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing. The scenery is also beautiful, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

Things not to be missed

The best activities near Whiteface Mountain, New York in the Adirondacks are hiking, fishing, and camping. There are also plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy in the area, such as mountain biking, bird watching, and kayaking.

Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, paddling, golfing, and horseback riding are some of the best activities near Whiteface Mountain.

Where to eat?

1. The Summit Lodge - This rustic lodge is located at the top of Whiteface Mountain and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have a variety of dishes including sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and more.

2. The Wilmington Inn - This historic inn is located in the town of Wilmington, just a few minutes from Whiteface Mountain. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have a variety of dishes including sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and more.

3. The View - This restaurant is located at the summit of Esther Mountain, which is just a short drive from Whiteface Mountain. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have a variety of dishes including sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and more.

4. The Rusty Nail - This bar and grill is located in the town of Keene Valley, just a few minutes from Whiteface Mountain. They serve pub food including burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings, and more.

5. The Good Shepherd's Inn - This inn is located in the town of Keene Valley, just a few minutes from Whiteface Mountain. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have a variety of dishes including eggs benedict, shepherd's pie, chicken marsala, and more.

Let’s Answer Your Questions - FAQ

What is the level of difficulty of Whiteface Mountain, New York ?

Very hard

What is the elevation of Whiteface Mountain, New York?

1483.00 M

Is the place are families friendly?

No

Is there an information center / service center / reception?

No

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