A 50-mile circumnavigation of Cranberry Lake, the CL50 will guide you through old-growth forests, passing by backcountry ponds, fascinatingly glaciated landscape, and peaceful campsites.

Getting there

This large loop has many access points - 7 to be exact! There is no official loop direction, but the majority of people hike clockwise around the lake. Parking is available at each location, and there are also trail registers at each parking lot.

The trailheads:

• High Rock truck trail trailhead on South Shore Road in Wanakena, NY
• Dead Creek Flow trailhead on South Shore Road in Wanakena, NY
• Peavine Swamp trailhead, located on NYS Route 3 west of Cranberry Lake, NY
• DEC boat launch trailhead on Columbian Road in Cranberry Lake, NY
• Cranberry Lake Community Center in Cranberry Lake, NY (behind center)
• Gilbert Tract trailhead, located on NYS Route 3 just east of Cranberry Lake, NY
• Burntbridge Pond/Brandy Brook trailhead, located on NYS Route 3 about two miles east of Cranberry Lake, NY

By the numbers

• Elevation gain is, obviously, the same in either direction, but ascents tend to be more gradual when hiking in the clockwise direction. 
• The 50 mile loop is most typically done in 3 days with 2 nights of camping. But remember, it is entirely up to the person completing the loop. Depending on time available, interest, ability, season, and preferred mode of travel (hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or even bike some sections), there are many possibilities. No certain speed is required to obtain a patch or celebrate!

Hiking

The Cranberry Lake 50 is an exciting challenge that offers 50 miles of trails that loop around one of the largest Adirondack lakes - Cranberry Lake. The Challenge is a project of Five Ponds Partners, an organization that works to promote sustainable development in the Clifton-Fine and other nearby areas of the Park.

What makes this trail so unique is in its offerings of mountains, ponds, streams, rivers, scenery, and a true wilderness experience. To get the best information about hiking this loop, consult the CL50 website or purchase a water/tear proof map at numerous places in Wanakena, Sevey's Point, or Raquette River Outfitters in Tupper Lake.

If you don't want to do an entire 50-mile loop, check out these awesome day trips:

• Cat Mountain
• High Falls
• Bear Mountain
• Hedgehog Pond
• Cathedral Rock
• Janack's Landing

These day trips can also be side trips on the 50 mile loop. It's really a make-your-own-adventure kind of place!

Many campsites are located along the loop.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

All sections of the loop are open to snowshoeing and skiing. Parking lots may not be plowed.

Mountain biking

Small portions of the loop are open to mountain biking. Access the best biking from the Peavine Swamp trailhead, located on NYS Route 3 west of Cranberry Lake, NY. But remember: the entire loop is not accessible to mountain biking because portions are located on wilderness lands, where bikes are not allowed.

Read more!

Check out our blog is you'd like to learn more about the Cranberry Lake 50 challenge.