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Hike * Bike * Paddle
Hike, bike, or paddle 12 of these 17 locations, fill out the brochure (Click here for the brochure.), or write down the relevant information and bring it, to the Inlet Information Office at 160 Route 28, Inlet, NY.
Everyone who completes the challenge will be listed here and can get a special patch for $5.
Click here for the Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge Roster. - Updated October 8, 2024
This challenge was launched on October 3, 2015. Any hike, bike, or paddle completed before that date does not count toward receiving a patch.
To find out how to do this by mail, contact the Inlet Information Office at (315) 357-5501 or send an email to info@inletny.com.
1. Rondaxe Mountain (Bald Mountain)
Halfway between Inlet and Old Forge on Route 28, turn onto Rondaxe Road, travel 0.2 mile, and the parking and trailhead are on the left. This hike is intermediate and just under 1 mile, with a fire tower at the summit. Read more about Bald Mountain here.
Hike or bike
2. Bubb Lake & Sis Lake
Just south of Eagle Bay, there is a fairly new parking area which allows access to an easy hike to Bubb Lake at 0.8 mile and Sis Lake at 1.5 miles. Read more about Bub & Siss here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
3. Cascade Lake
Turn onto Big Moose Road from Route 28 in Eagle Bay and travel 1.8 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. The trail to the lake is an easy 2 miles, and it's another easy mile to Cascade Falls. Read more about Cascade Lake here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
4. Moss Lake
Turn onto Big Moose Road from Route 28 in Eagle Bay, travel 3.8 miles, and use the parking lot on the left. There are two separate parking areas; one is for handicapped accessibility. The trail around the lake is an easy 3 miles. This also serves as a trailhead to Bubb Lake 1.5 miles and Sis Lake 2.5 miles. Read more about Moss Lake here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
5. West Pond Falls
Turn onto Big Moose Road from Route 28 in Eagle Bay and travel 6 miles to the trailhead parking on the left, right before Glenmore Road. The trail to the falls is about 0.5 mile. Watch for a small sign on your left. If you make it to the pond itself, you have missed the falls. Read more about West Pond here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
6. Ferd's Bog
Turn onto Uncas Road from Route 28 near Eagle Bay, travel 3.5 miles, and park on the left shoulder of the road. The trail is 0.4 mile and turns into a floating boardwalk that takes you
out into the bog. Read more about Ferd's Bog here.
Hike or bike
7. Shallow Lake
Turn onto Uncas Road from Route 28 near Eagle Bay, then travel 6 miles to Sucker Brook Bay trailhead on the left. Follow this trail until it connects with the Shallow Lake trail at 2.1 miles. If the Browns Tract Campground is open, you can access the trail through campsite #68 for a 1.4 mile hike. Read more about Shallow Lake here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
8. Rocky Mountain
On Route 28, just south of downtown Inlet. It's a moderately difficult, 0.6-mile hike to the summit. This parking area is also used for Black Bear Mountain. Read more about Rocky Mountain here.
Hike or bike
9. Black Bear Mountain
On Route 28, just south of downtown Inlet. The trailhead is all the way to the right of the parking lot. There are two ways to reach Black Bear's summit. One is a moderately steep, 3.5 mile trail. The other is shorter, 2.1 miles, but steeper. This parking area is also used for Rocky Mountain. Read more about Black Bear Mountain here.
Hike or bike
10. Limekiln Lake
Turn off Route 28 onto Limekiln Road, then travel 1.7 miles to Campsite Road. The boat launch for Limekiln Lake is on the left, just before the gate to the campground. Read more about Limekiln Lake here.
Paddle
11. Old Dam Nature Trail
Turn off Route 28 onto Limekiln Road, then travel 1.7 miles to Campsite Road. This is an easy, 1.6-mile loop that begins near site #87 in Limekiln Campground. Read more about the Old Dam Nature Trail here.
Hike or bike
12. Mitchell Ponds
Turn off Route 28 onto Limekiln Road, then travel 1.9 miles to the entrance to the Moose River Plains Recreation Area. Drive another 7.9 miles past the gate and use the trailhead parking on the right. The trail to Upper Mitchell Pond is 2 miles. It continues on to Lower Mitchell Pond. Read more about Mitchell Ponds here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
13. Beaver Lake
Turn off Route 28 onto Limekiln Road, then travel 1.9 miles to the entrance to the Moose River Plains Recreation Area. Drive another 10 miles and turn right onto Otter Brook Road, then bear right again until you reach the barricade and parking area. The trail to Beaver Lake is an easy 2.1 miles. Read more about Beaver Lake here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
14. Cathedral Pines
On Route 28, just under 5 miles north of downtown Inlet. Watch for the small brown and yellow trailhead sign and park on either side of the road. Trail is easy and only 0.1 mile through some virgin White Pines that tower over 150 feet in the air. There is also a stone monument recognizing Second Lt. Malcolm Blue, who was killed over France on June 2, 1944. Read more about Cathedral Pines here.
Hike or bike
15. Bug Lake
On Route 28, turn into Eighth Lake Campground 5 miles north of downtown Inlet. The trailhead parking is between sites #68 and #72. An easy 1.5 miles will bring you to Bug Lake. Read more about Bug Lake here.
Hike, bike, or paddle
16. Fulton Chain of Lakes
The Fulton Chain of Lakes is a branch of the Moose River that includes Old Forge Pond, First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake, Sixth Lake, Seventh Lake, and Eighth Lake. Read more about the Fulton Chain of Lakes here.
Paddle any one of the Chain of Lakes.
17. T.O.B.I.E. Trail
A pedestrian recreation trail for hiking and biking that connects Thendara, Old Forge, Big Moose, Inlet, and Eagle Bay. Hike or bike any part of this trail. Read more about the T.O.B.I.E. Trail here.
Disclaimer: Hiking, biking and paddling can be fun, exciting, and great exercise. Please use caution when on the trails and in the mountains. Trail conditions and weather can change in an instant. Always be prepared, carry extra water and clothing. Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge, this webpage and the brochure are not responsible for your safety or for trail conditions. Complete this challenge at your own risk.
A few other area challenges:
Fulton Chain Trifecta
Indian Lake Hiking Challenge
Tupper Lake Triad