North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST)
NCNST in the Adirondack Park
In March 1980, federal legislation authorized the establishment of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) as a component of the National Trails System (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.). To date, Congress has authorized the establishment of eight National Scenic Trails - long distance, non-motorized trails that follow major geographic features or pass through scenic areas. National Scenic Trails are patterned after the renowned Appalachian NST.
The North Country NST's projected length is approximately 4,600 miles, stretching across the northern tier of the United States with some 2,000 miles completed to date. The route through the Adirondack Park will be approximately 160 miles, stretching from the hamlet of Forestport in Oneida County to the hamlet of Crown Point on the shore of Lake Champlain.
Adirondack Park Trail Plan
In 2015, the Department released the Adirondack Park Trail Plan for the NCNST. The Plan recommends following approximately 81 miles of existing foot trail and constructing 39 miles of new trail within the Park. In addition, it is estimated that 27 miles of temporary connections along roads will be initially utilized to make connections along this route.
The proposed route will intersect eight units of the Adirondack Forest Preserve:
- Black River Wild Forest
- West Canada Lake Wilderness
- Moose River Plains Wild Forest
- Jessup River Wild Forest
- Siamese Ponds Wilderness
- Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest
- Hoffman Notch Wilderness
- Hammond Pond Wild Forest
In addition to the state land, the route is proposed to cross four DEC-held conservation easements:
- North Lake Tract
- Perkins Clearing
- Speculator Tree Farm
- Lyme (Crown Point)
If you have questions about the Plan, please contact us by email.
Download the Trail Plan
North Country National Scenic Trail Adirondack Park Trail Plan/DGEIS (PDF)
