Deer Leap Trail (Hague)

This is the Deer Leap above Silver Bay/Hague—the cliffy perch on the north end of the Tongue Mountain Range. It’s an out-and-back to a panoramic overlook of Lake George, with modest ups and downs instead of one long grind. Plan on about 3.2 miles total and a steady mix of packed dirt, roots, and rock underfoot.

You’ll start from Route 9N/Lake Shore Drive and share the first 0.6 miles with the Five Mile Summit route. Stay straight at that junction for Deer Leap. Expect a beech–maple forest, some blowdown-cut sections, and a few swampy spots early on after wet weather. The trail rolls: you’ll lose a bit, gain a bit, then finish at a rocky outcrop with the money shot—sweeping views up and down the lake and toward the mountains on the east side.

It’s popular because the payoff is big for the effort. Still, footing can be slick when wet, and the best vistas are near the cliff edge, which may feel airy if heights aren’t your thing. There are primitive campsites nearby and occasional muddy patches—sturdy, waterproof footwear is smart. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Best time to hike: spring through fall, with peak foliage in autumn when the lake and islands are framed in color. Winter works too—bring snowshoes or microspikes—and this is a better snowshoe than a ski outing. For fewer people and softer light on the lake, go early or late in the day.

Trail tip: at the 0.6-mile junction, ignore the turn for Five Mile Summit and continue straight toward Deer Leap. This is rattlesnake country on sunny rock slabs—keep eyes on the trail and don’t wander off the beaten path.