Central Adirondack Trail

Glens Falls to Rome

Central Adirondack Mountains · New York · United States

Key measurements

Distance

151.0 miles

Elevation gain

7,193 ft

Elevation loss

6,988 ft

High point

1,999 ft

Low point

235 ft

Net change

207 ft (235 ft to 443 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

Crossing New York State from the Upper Hudson Valley through the dense forest dome of the Central Adirondacks before descending into the Mohawk Valley, this 151-mile point-to-point route links Glens Falls to Rome. The ride transitions rapidly from urban river-bluff streets to deep boreal forest, tracing granite mountain ridges, glacial lakes, and historic timber and resort corridors along NY-28.

Elevation climbs from a low of 235 feet at the Hudson River in Glens Falls to a summit near 2,000 feet in the park interior, offering continuous sweeping turns and dense timber canopy before leveling into open agricultural lowlands on the approach to Rome.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Glens Falls Hudson River Departure — Miles 0.0–0.6

Starting at Cooper's Cave Bridge over the Hudson River, this brief opening stretch carries the route out of Glens Falls on US-9. It navigates urban river-bluff streets before linking into the commercial corridors heading north toward the Adirondack foothills.

Lake George Basin Corridor — Miles 10.2–19.1

Rejoining US-9 south of Warrensburg, this segment skirts the western flank of the Lake George basin. The road tracks foothill contours through pine-covered slopes and glacial sand plains, handling steady regional traffic as it approaches the southern gate of the Adirondack Park.

Central Adirondack Spine — Miles 19.2–135.0

The defining 115-mile core of the trip, NY-28 arches across the heart of the Adirondack wilderness. Winding along the Hudson, Cedar, and Moose River drainage basins, the road climbs through mountain passes and curves around major glacial waters—including Blue Mountain Lake, Raquette Lake, and the Fulton Chain of Lakes near Old Forge. The roadway features broad sweepers, frequent elevation changes, and close timber walls, reaching a peak elevation of 1,999 feet before descending toward Forestport and Alder Creek along the park's western rim.

Black River Valley to Mohawk Lowlands — Miles 136.1–149.7

Picking up NY-365, the landscape shifts from dense softwood forest to open farmland and rolling dairy hills. Leaving the granite park terrain behind, the road flattens and straightens out, running southwest across the lowlands toward the Mohawk River basin.

West Dominick Arrival — Miles 149.8–151.0

The final mile brings the route into downtown Rome along East Dominick Street, crossing historic canal channels and rail corridors into the city's commercial center, finishing at West Dominick Street.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Late spring through early autumn offers the best window for this traverse across the Adirondack Park interior. Higher elevations above 1,500 feet bring variable weather: sudden temperature drops, passing mountain rain squalls, and early morning valley fog around lake basins like Blue Mountain Lake and Old Forge are standard. Autumn delivers vibrant foliage but introduces heavy sightseeing traffic and damp leaf cover on shaded corners. Winter conditions and road salt linger well into late spring.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and cellular service are abundant in Glens Falls, Lake George, and Rome, but become sparse across the central interior of NY-28. Reliable fuel stops inside the park are concentrated in North Creek, Blue Mountain Lake, Inlet, and Old Forge, with gaps of 20 to 30 miles between services. Cellular signal drops frequently in granite cuts and low valleys along the central wilderness stretches.

Important Considerations

NY-28 is the primary east-west commercial and transit corridor through the Central Adirondacks. Be prepared to share sweeping mountain curves with heavy logging trucks, boat trailers, and broad-profile recreational vehicles. Timber haulers frequently track gravel and sand onto the asphalt near turnout points and access roads. Wildlife activity—particularly white-tailed deer and black bear—is elevated around dawn and dusk along forest margins between Wevertown and McKeever.