• Canoeing and kayaking on Blue Mountain and Eagle Lakes
• Cycling on rolling terrain past brilliant fall foliage and stately mountains
• Climbing Blue Mt and/or hiking on a flatter but no less beautiful area trail
• Enjoying four course meals and the relaxing ambience of the Hedges
• Visiting the Adirondack Museum, one of the finest regional museums in the US
• Listening to the haunting call of the loon

Join us for our multisport trip offered in conjunction with WomanTours, the premiere women's cycling company! The Adirondack State Park in northern New York is the largest publicly protected area in the lower 48 states. A combination of public and private lands, it is an area of rugged mountains and numerous lakes, rivers, and ponds, interspersed with small hamlets that is larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. Come bike through the park and explore some of the 2000 miles of trails for hiking and 3000 lakes for kayaking. In autumn, after the summer crowds have departed, the invigorating weather and brilliant foliage make the Park an ideal location for an active vacation. The trees will change color before our eyes.

any active woman in good condition who wants to enjoy the Adirondacks at what is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent times of year. No hiking or paddling experience is necessary. If you haven't been on a bike for awhile, spending a few days on moderate rides before the trip will stand you in excellent stead.

• three nights at the Hedges where we'll have both cabins and two bedroom suites, and there will be one or two women per room
• three nights at Trails End Inn with two women in each room

• experienced guides
• six nights lodging in double occupancy rooms
• all meals from lunch on Sunday thru breakfast the following Saturday with the exception of one lunch
• round-trip transportation from Albany airport
• all activities on the itinerary
• detailed cue sheets and van support during the bike ride
• bike rental is available for $175

in Albany at a hotel near the airport (ALB); by 11 am on September 26 if you need a bike fitting, and 12:30pm otherwise. If you drive, you can leave your car at the hotel.

at the Albany airport at 2 pm on October 2 (you can plan flights out after 3:15 pm)

you can download the complete trip information here

Day 1: We gather for a rental bike fitting at 11:00am. If you are bringing your own bike, arrive by 12:30pm for our orientation and shuttle into the Adirondacks. After unloading the bikes we finish the trip to our starting lodge at Blue Mountain Lake by bicycle. As is true for all our rides, the road has lots of rolling hills with occasional longer uphills. 14 or 25 miles bicycling.

Day 2: The Hedges is nestled on the shore of pristine Blue Mountain Lake. Awake to the sound of loons calling each other through the morning fog over the water. After a hearty cooked-to-order breakfast, we explore the lake by canoe and kayak on our way to a lakeside trailhead that leads to a great overlook.

Most of the land around the lake is privately owned but deemed forever wild. It is a prime example of the Adirondack philosophy of managing a mix of private and public lands for the common good. Except for another canoe or kayak, we see few other boats in our quiet paradise. After instruction in how to get our boats to go where we want, we paddle across the lake to the trail up Castle Rock. This 1.1 mile trail, steep towards the top, leads to an overlook with a superb view of Blue Mountain Lake. After returning to our boats, you can choose to continue exploring the lake with perhaps a paddle into nearby Eagle Lake or to return to the Hedges, where you might explore our lodge grounds, walk into town, or sit and read a book in a famous Adirondack chair. You will surely be hungry for our 4-course dinner together at The Hedges. 2 hours hiking, 2 – 4 hours paddling.

Day 3: After breakfast, we immediately start out for our hike up Blue Mountain, the highest peak in this part of the Adirondacks. This very popular mountain looms over the eastern end of our lake. Our 1559’ climb to the top on a rocky and at times steep trail is rewarded at the top with a wonderful view of the lakes we paddled through the day before. Or for a less rigorous morning, you can choose to hike around Tirrell Pond. This flat trail just skirts the north slope of Blue Mountain and has beautiful views of the cliffs of Tirrell Mountain.

In the afternoon, we offer a shuttle to the wonderful Adirondack Museum. The open-air museum is renowned for its fascinating exhibits that tell the stories of life in the Adirondacks. See the stagecoach that carried Theodore Roosevelt to his swearing in as President. Walk through a railway car designed of velvet and hardwood to make you long for travel of yesteryear. Watch the effects of global warming on plant life. 4 miles hiking, 1559 feet elevation gain.

Day 4: We leave our private enclave today to further explore the Adirondacks by bicycle. Our first stop will be at beautiful Buttermilk Falls, easily the most visited falls in the area. The cascade is on the Raquette River, named for The French word for snowshoe.

From there, we continue to bike past Long Lake, Shaw Brook Pond and Lake Harris. After refueling with a scrumptious picnic lunch, we continue on to North Hudson. From there we all shuttle to our inn in Keene Valley. Trail's End Inn is located on beautiful grounds and just far enough away from the town center that it is a quiet and peaceful place and still within walking distance of the interesting shops to be found there. 28 or 54 miles bicycling.

Day 5: Keene Valley is known for being the heart of high peak country of the Adirondacks. We take advantage of this easy jumping off point by hiking to the summit of Big Slide Mountain. At 4199’, it is the 27th highest peak in the state.

Along the way, we hike over three smaller peaks called The Brothers. Those who prefer not to hike all the way can turn around after catching the magnificent view of the Great Range from the first of these lower vantage points. At the peak of fall foliage this may be the best vista in the area! 3.6 - 8 miles hiking, 1400 – 2800 feet elevation gain.

Day 6: We don our cycling clothes this morning one last time to bike to Lake Placid today. We bicycle right past the ski jumps used for the Olympics that rise 120 meters into the air. You will undoubtedly wonder how anyone gets up the nerve to ski down the first time.

Lunch will be on your own in this fun town with a main street lined with outdoor shops and organic cafes. Bike or shuttle back to our inn in Keene Valley in time for our last dinner together. 26 or 48 miles bicycling.

Day 7: We say farewell to the Adirondacks today, but not before one last hike along the Ausable River. This flat hike is a lovely way to wind down from our week adventure. After a picnic lunch, we shuttle back to the Albany airport, arriving by 2:00pm to say our good-byes. 2 miles