8 Easy Hikes, Trails & Walking Paths Around Lake George

We’ve rounded up a list of the best easy hikes around Lake George, from walking paths to nature preserves and everything in between. And, we start right here at The Sembrich in Bolton Landing! Keep reading to find out where to go for easy hikes in the Southern Adirondacks.

1) The Sembrich Trails

The Sembrich is more than a museum and host of one of the most popular music and film festivals on Lake George. We also offer walking paths through our wooded property, along Lake George, that are open at no charge to guests from Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains as you walk the paths on our historic museum grounds. The main trail is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and brings you to a nice viewpoint.

We’re open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the museum closed from 12:30pm to 2pm each day, but the grounds remain open during this time.

Bonus tip: Our paths are the focus of our Sound Trails, An Immersive Soundscape event that is part of our 2023 Trailblazers Summer Festival. Sound Trails is happening on August 9th at 2pm and at 3pm. Guests are invited to choose between two separate trails that each correspond with a different music piece.

Find info on parking, bringing dogs, and more for visiting The Sembrich >>

2) Amy’s Park

Located just 15 minutes north of The Sembrich in Bolton Landing is Amy’s Park, one of the best hiking spots in the Lake George area. This 500-acre nature preserve is managed by the Lake George Land Conservancy, and like The Sembrich, serves as a location for the annual Lake George Hike-a-Thon.

There are five distinct trails in Amy’s Park. The Yellow Trail and Blue Trail are considered easy, the Orange Trail and Red Trail - North are rated easy/moderate, and then Ed’s Red Stripe Trail is moderately challenging.

Whichever path you choose, know these are considered some of the best trails in Bolton Landing because of the diverse wildlife you’re likely to see, thanks to its large forest and abundant wetlands.

Amy’s Park is open year-round, although only the main parking lot is paved in the winter; there is a secondary parking lot a bit farther north from the primary one on Padanaram Road.

3) Pack Forest Trails

This Lake George hiking spot is something of a hidden gem, as not everyone may know that Pack Forest is open to hikers. There is limited parking by the administration building and Arboretum lot until dusk.

Those seeking an easy hike will want to check out the 1-mile Grandmother Tree Trail, which is mostly flat and takes you through an old growth, hemlock-white pine forest filled with historic trees, including the famous Grandmother Tree.

The Grandmother Tree dates back to 1774, predating even Warrensburg and Warren County, and it’s noted as a remarkable tree that’s included in the Warren County Tree Challenge.

4) The Warren County Bikeway

The Warren County Bikeway welcomes more than just bikers, but hikers, joggers, and walkers. The paved 9.4-mile trail can easily be used by those with wheelchairs or strollers, just know that the path does intersect with local roads and shares the shoulder of the road in certain parts.

Those strolling along the Bikeway will enjoy signage depicting the historical significance of the region, spots to stop and picnic, and it even runs right by Cooper’s Cave Ale Company, where you can grab an ice cream cone!

The Warren County Bikeway runs from Lake George through Queensbury and into Glens Falls, and it’s used as a snowmobile trail from December through March. While children and strollers are welcome, dogs are prohibited.

5) Gurney Lane Park Trails

Speaking of bike paths, we’re lucky enough in the Lake George region to have a top rated biking park at Gurney Lane Recreation Area in Queensbury. Separate from the designated biking trails, there are five additional trails used for hiking, biking, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing. The hiking trails are 1.2 miles, .75 miles, 1.1 miles, .3 miles, and .5 miles.

With a playground, pool, pavilion, and youth fishing pond, this hiking area and park is considered family-friendly. If you’re looking to hike with kids near Lake George, this is a superb choice!

The Gurney Lane trail network connects to the Rush Pond Trail, also in Queensbury, and next on our list of easy hikes around Lake George.

6) Rush Pond Trail

Rush Pond Trail is a 2.6-mile long trail that is considered easy and family friendly - and stroller friendly! The trail connects Gurney Lane Recreation Area, neighborhoods along the Aviation Road corridor, and the Queensbury School campus trail system.

The year-round trail is open for walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, and there is a trailhead and parking area on both ends of the trail.

Bonus suggestion: Halfway Brook Trail, also in Queensbury, is a more recent project of Queensbury Parks & Rec, and is similar to Rush Pond Trail. This trail is also open year-round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, and it’s 1.2 miles long.

7) Cole’s Woods Trails

Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls is known for its cross-country skiing opportunities, with lighted trails for night skiing. However, those looking for easy hiking trails will appreciate the 1.8-mile loop trail that is rated as easy and has no elevation gain.

These trails are maintained all year long by volunteers of the Friends of Cole’s Woods. Dogs can accompany you on your hike, but are not allowed on the trails December 1 through April 1.

8) Self-Guided Colonial Wars Walking Tour

While not a hiking trail or walking path in the traditional sense, hikers who appreciate the history of The Sembrich’s pristine location will enjoy this self-guided, easy walking tour in Lake George.

The Self-Guided Colonial Wars Walking Tour takes you through all the historical hotspots in Lake George relating to the area’s significant role in the French & Indian War. See monuments and grand statues in Lake George Battlefield State Park, walk along the promenade by the water and the Lake George Steamboat Company, and maybe even pop into the Fort William Henry Museum.

The Colonial Wars Walking Tour Map does not include Battlefield Park Visitor Interpretive Center, which was added after the map was created and is open seasonally. But, you can get a great idea of the area the tour covers.

The entire walking tour is 3.3 miles long and takes approximately two hours to complete. Of course, you aren’t obligated to complete the entire loop in one day, and can start at any point on the tour.

What’s your favorite easy hike around Lake George?

If you’re looking for more things to do in Bolton Landing or around Lake George this summer, make sure to check out our 2023 Trailblazers Summer Festival!