Eagle Eyrie is a low peak at the north end of Lake Placid that offers a unique view of the lake and the High Peaks. It can be approached on foot or by boat. The hike starts along an old road and parallels attractive Connery Pond. The trail to Whiteface Landing is wide and well used and is the remnants of an old woods road. A successful hike of Eagle Eyrie involves research, navigational skills, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles. 

Key takeaways

• 9.3 miles round trip
• Elevation: 2,660 feet
• Elevation gain: 1,350 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions and a road walk

Hiking Eagle Eyrie

Once at Whiteface Landing after hiking for 3.25 miles from Route 86, you will gain a superb view out over Lake Placid. Whiteface Landing is a four-way intersection with Whiteface Mountain to the right. Continuing straight you will access an old and little-used trail around Lake Placid. Beware, this trail is nearly invisible and hard to follow. Bring all the essentials for safe navigation, including a map and compass, with the skills to use it. The intersection for Eagle Eyrie is an obvious and better-used path that follows an unnamed babbling brook which drains at what is un-officially known as Eagle Pond. The trail doesn’t go directly to the summit but ends shy of the true summit atop a small cliff overlooking Lake Placid. The actual summit is heavily forested but views can be seen from the small overlook. 

Access by boat

Go to Echo Bay at the northwest corner of Lake Placid and land at the concrete slabs located about the middle of the north shore. A faint trail goes 0.1 mi. to the main trail around the lake. Go right for a few yards and cross a stream to a junction with the side trail up Eagle Eyrie.

Eagle Eyrie in the winter

Whiteface Landing is a popular out and back crosscountry skiing trail, but beyond the Landing, expect the seldom-used trail to Eagle Eyrie to not be packed down. This can be a challenging hike in the winter, so make sure you are prepared.

Get close to other trails in the Whiteface Region

Does Eagle Eyrie sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? No need to stress, we can help you find a hike that’s right for you!

How to get there

From the four-way intersection in Wilmington, travel east on Route 86 toward Lake Placid. Drive for just about 10-miles to a large parking lot at a bridge over the Ausable River. From here, you can access Connery Pond and Whiteface Landing via a trail that parallels the road, then follows a dirt road to the trailhead.