Cat Mountain Trail

Why go

Cat Mountain delivers one of the best panoramas in the Lake George region—an expansive, mostly bald-rock summit with sweeping views of the lake, its islands, The Narrows, Trout Lake, and distant Adirondack peaks. It’s a true views-for-effort hike: approachable at first, then satisfyingly steep and rocky near the top.

Route and terrain

Plan on roughly 6 miles total out-and-back if you take the most direct approach from Edgecomb Pond Road. Expect an easy-to-moderate start: about two-thirds of the climb follows an old logging road. The final third narrows into a rougher, rooty, and rocky footpath with steeper grades and some switchbacks before popping onto spacious open rock. Allow 3–5 hours round-trip depending on pace and summit linger time.

Along the way you’ll pass mixed hardwood and conifer forest, wetlands, and small ponds (occasionally beaver-made). The summit’s open ledge is classic Adirondack granite shaped by glacial scouring—bring lunch and take your time roaming for different angles on the lake.

Best time to hike

April through October tends to offer the best footing and clearest views, with fall foliage being a standout. Winter travel is possible with proper gear; expect the upper trail to feel much more challenging with snow and ice. For photos, early morning or late afternoon light flatters the lake and islands, and weekdays are generally quieter than weekends.

Tips and alternatives

• Footing turns rocky and rooty up high—wear real hiking boots.
• Bring enough water and snacks; there are no reliable water sources on route.
• A map helps at the junctions; multiple trails crisscross the preserve.
• Binoculars make the island-dotted lake panorama even better.

Looking to mix it up? You can link Thomas Mountain via the ridge (yellow) trail for a bigger day. There are multiple approaches within the Lake George Land Conservancy’s Cat & Thomas Mountains Preserve, including a more challenging red trail and longer routes that start from other trailheads.

Know before you go

Pets are allowed on leash. Camping is permitted with restrictions (short stays, follow local rules), and fires must be monitored. Some sections can be muddy or washed out after rain, and no motor vehicles are allowed in the preserve.