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Adventures / Epic Treks

Hike the Great Range Traverse in the Adirondack Mountains

An epic weekend summiting 8 peaks of the Great Range Traverse, New York State; one of the most challenging short hikes in the world

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Trip Ref #10107

Adventures / Epic Treks

Hike the Great Range Traverse in the Adirondack Mountains

An epic weekend summiting 8 peaks of the Great Range Traverse, New York State; one of the most challenging short hikes in the world

DURATION
2 nights
LOCATION
USA
ANNUAL LEAVE
1 day off work
SEASON
May-Aug
GROUP SIZE
Up to 9 people
MEETING POINT
Central Manhattan
ACCOMMODATION
Lodge
DIFFICULTY
Tough

Experienced and fit hikers looking to escape the city for a challenging weekend adventure

Reach the highest point in New York State - Mount Marcy - and soak up the spectacular sweeping views over the Adirondack Mountains beneath you

Tackle one of the world's most challenging day hikes, with rugged ascents, technical scrambles and heart pounding descents along the trails.

Hike to the summit of eight peaks above 4000ft which make up the Great Range of the Adirondack Mountains, in the heart of upstate New York.

Included

Guides

Expert, certified guides with wilderness first responder training

Accommodation

2 nights in the historic Adirondack Loj

Meals

All meals except lunch on the drive to/from the New York

Transfers

All transfers to/from Central Manhattan

Permits

All entry fees and permits

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Some meals as described

Tips for your guides

The Area

Logistics

Starts

Central Manhattan

06:45 on Day 1

Ends

Central Manhattan

Around 18:00 on Day 3 (depending on traffic)

Transfers

On Day 1 you'll meet your host at the corner of Broadway and W 73rd street, northwest corner in front of The North Face store. The drive to the mountains takes around 5-6 hours, with a relaxing stop for lunch. Alternatively - you are welcome to make your own way directly to the first night of accommodation if you wish.

On Day 3 you'll typically arrive back roughly between 1600-1800, however, it is entirely dependent on traffic coming into New York City, which is very unpredictable. We strongly recommend you don't make any plans for the evening or book flights departing until after 2200 - in case of delays.

Travel options

If you are flying in - there are direct flights to New York via JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports from across the US and Europe. From there you can easily make your way into central Manhatten.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Lodge · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Lodge · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Evening meals around will be based around rice and pasta dishes with fresh vegetables. For breakfast there will be eggs, pancakes and fruit. Lunches will be meat-based sandwiches unless you request a vegan/vegetarian option. During the adventure you'll be kept full of delicious, local snacks! Water, tea and coffee are provided as well as wine and beer in the evenings.

Vegetarian, vegan and most dietary requirements can be accommodated on this trip.

What is the accommodation like?

Adirondack Loj

You'll be staying at this historic lodge near Lake Placid in the Adirondack High Peaks region. Located on the shore of Heart Lake, the Loj was built in 1927 and is owned and operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club. You'll be staying in mixed 4-person rooms with bunk beds. Much welcome hot showers and tasty meals are served at the lodge.

Day 1

Depart for the Adirondacks and warm up with a hike on Mount Jo

Hiking

2.5hrs · 2.5 miles · 700ft up · 700ft down

You'll depart early in the morning from New York, heading upstate towards your mountain home for the next 2 nights. After arriving in the Adirondack High peaks area, you'll head out on a short hike up Mount Jo. You'll get the legs moving ready for the big day tomorrow, and enjoy views across much of the range that you'll be hiking across.

You'll enjoy a hearty dinner before bunking down at your canvas cabin to prepare for the big day tomorrow.

Day 2

Take on the Great Range Traverse

Hiking

10-14 hrs · 21 miles · 9000 ft up · 9000ft down

Alarm clocks will be ringing before dawn today as you get a early start to take the short drive to the trailhead. You'll start hiking just as the sun is rising and you'll soon be taking in some of the finest views New York State has to offer as you make your way along the mountain ridge. You'll pass over eight 4000ft+ peaks and be well on your way to becoming an' Adirondack '46-er' by the end of the day. Be prepared for some heart pounding scrambling and climbing on the Adirondack's notoriously rugged terrain.

The final peak of your hike, Mount Marcy, is the crescendo of our day and at 5344ft; the highest peak in the state of New York. As you descend, you'll make your way back below the tree line and will finish your traverse just steps from your camp. Here, you'll relax, rest your legs and enjoy a delicious and well-earned dinner along with some campfire stories.

Day 3

Head back to New York City

You will be able to hit your snooze button this morning before grabbing some breakfast at the camp. You have a leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Rain cover or plastic bags to waterproof backpack
  • 30+L backpack

Clothes

  • Hiking boots
  • Moisture-wicking, non-cotton base layers (top and bottom).
  • Fleece
  • Insulating top layer
  • Insulating bottom layer
  • Fully waterproof top and bottom layers that can be worn over all other layers
  • Long underwear for sleeping
  • Fleece hat
  • Neck buff
  • Sun hat
  • Light and comfortable camp/lodge/car shoes

Other

  • Personal toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Bug spray
  • Head torch
  • Trekking poles
  • Water bottles or bladder (must have 3L capacity in total)

This trip is for experienced hikers and fit individuals only, so you'll need to arrive prepared for a big challenge. Day 2 involves passing over eight peaks with a total elevation gain of over 9000ft / 2700m.

The hike is designed to set you up for success - with plenty of water resupply points, a refuel and bail-out option midway through, and the support of experienced hiking guides. You'll be able to travel light and move fast and will be encouraged to hike at your optimal pace.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. The amount to tip is entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip in the USA; your guides will rely on tips for a considerable portion of their income.

We suggest to budget for 10%-20% of the trip cost as a guideline.

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

The hiking route has several water re-supply points, so you just need to bring reusable water bottles to fill up throughout the hike

Room is limited in the van, so participants should only bring their backpack and one small extra item, such as a duffel bag, for any extras.

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

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Transferrable Deposits

Cancel up to 60 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Free Date Changes

Free date changes up to 60 days before departure.

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