Discovering CATS: A Quiet Gem in Adirondack Adventure
Explore Champlain Area Trails in the Northeastern ADK.
Photo courtesy Champlain Area Trails (CATS).
Lodged in New York State’s lesser-traveled northeastern Adirondacks, the Champlain Area Trails (CATS) offer a refreshing, community-driven alternative to the hyped High Peaks. Since its founding as a non-profit land trust in 2009, CATS has been a beacon of unique outdoor experiences.
CATS is not just a trail network; it's a community. Dedicated to “saving land, making and maintaining trails, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality” across the Champlain Valley, CATS is a place where everyone can find their niche.
Origins and mission rooted in conservation and conservancy.
Emerging from a need for public recreational space in the Champlain Valley, CATS preserves natural habitats while weaving together small towns and landscapes into a connected trail network.
With a thoughtful land-conservation ethos, the organization safeguards significant parcels—such as a 273-acre preserve between Willsboro and Keeseville—ensuring both access to nature and long-term ecological stewardship.
All photos courtesy CATS.
A trail network with an eye toward long-term expansion.
Today, CATS manages a sprawling tapestry of 100 miles of trails. They’ve protected 983 acres and launched several new routes to guide outdoor enthusiasts at their own pace.
The organization is also working toward a grand vision: a continuous trail loop almost 30 miles long between Westport and Essex, threading through forests, farmland, and historic villages.
Four seasons of outdoor adventures.
Hiking & Walking: CATS offers a variety of trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels. From short, family-friendly loops to longer hikes providing panoramic views of the Champlain Valley, there's something for everyone. The trails are generally gentle and accessible, making them suitable for all fitness levels while offering breathtaking views.
Cross‑Country Skiing & Snowshoeing: The trails transform into a peaceful winter wonderland, perfect for snowy adventures.
Wildlife Observation & Birding: These biodiverse corridors attract both birdwatchers and wildlife lovers year-round.
Community Events & Volunteering: CATS hosts numerous educational hikes, trail‑building days, and outdoor programs, inviting visitors to contribute to the trails they love.
Stunning Wildway Overlook in early Autumn.
Unique highlights and trailside delights.
While every CATS trail offers fresh air, exercise, and a chance to connect with nature, some stand out for their remarkable scenery, thoughtful design, or strong ties to the community. These highlights capture the variety and charm that make the Champlain Area Trails such a rewarding discovery for Adirondack visitors.
One of the most captivating features of the CATS network is the way many trails frame sweeping panoramas that extend in two directions simultaneously. To the east lies the glimmering expanse of Lake Champlain, dotted with islands and backed by the hazy outline of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Turn west, and you’ll see the jagged silhouettes of the Adirondack High Peaks rising dramatically on the horizon. Few places in the park offer this rare dual perspective, and the sense of standing between two iconic landscapes is truly magical.
Essex Quarry Nature Preserve.
For those who prefer their adventures closer to water, the Long Pond Trail is a must. One of the newest additions to the CATS family, it follows the western shoreline of Long Pond, a serene body of water surrounded by rolling, forested hills.
The trail is the result of years of collaboration between landowners, conservationists, and volunteers, and walking it feels like stepping into a landscape painting. Paddlers may be gliding across the pond while hikers weave through the woods—a quiet harmony that epitomizes the Adirondack experience.
Perhaps the most unconventional of the CATS routes is the Art Farm Trail, a 1.5-mile, easy, round-trip hike that blends outdoor recreation with creative expression. Here, artist Ted Cornell has transformed his property into an open-air gallery, collaborating with CATS to make the landscape accessible to the public.
As you walk the trail, you’ll encounter large-scale sculptures crafted from repurposed metal, wood, and salvaged objects—pieces that are equal parts whimsical and contemplative. “The Art Farm is a collection of objects, some of them rather large, some of them sculptures made from junk found on the property and in the area, or now sometimes brought over by people who have heard about the place,” Cornell says.
“The Phoenix of Wadhams” on the Art Farm Trail.
The result is a hike that feels both playful and profound, where each turn in the trail might reveal something funny, strange, or unexpectedly beautiful.
The Art Farm Trail appeals to more than just hikers. Families will find it especially engaging, as children delight in spotting unusual shapes and quirky installations hidden among the fields. Photographers can spend hours capturing the way rust, paint, and weather interact with the shifting Adirondack light.
And for art lovers, it’s a rare chance to experience sculpture in dialogue with the land itself—pieces that feel as though they’ve grown into the meadows and trees rather than been placed there.
The Art Farm Trail is a creative twist on the Adirondack tradition of trail-building and a reminder that nature and art can enrich each other in surprising ways.
Adirondack adventures await.
Equally special are the trails rooted in community, where natural beauty blends seamlessly with local history and culture. Florence Hathaway Park, Noblewood Park, and Penfield Pond, for example, are places where residents and visitors alike gather to enjoy accessible trails, picnic areas, and small but meaningful slices of wild land. Many of these paths are maintained through volunteer labor, and every mile reflects the deep pride the Champlain Valley has in preserving and sharing its landscapes.
Together, these highlights reveal the true spirit of CATS: a network of trails that is as much about people and place as it is about outdoor recreation.
CATS remind us that adventure doesn’t always require the highest peak—sometimes it’s found in the sweep of a view, the ripple of a pond, or even in the rust-tinged contours of an artist’s sculpture rising from a field.
Four reasons to explore Champlain Area Trails.
Fewer crowds, core connection
Unlike the High Peaks, CATS offers peaceful immersion in nature—perfect for families, solo wanderers, or anyone craving quiet.Modest terrain, rich rewards
Trails tend to be gentle and accessible, making them ideal for all fitness levels while still providing breathtaking views.Community-driven landscape
From driven trail volunteers to engaged local businesses, this is not just a trail network—it’s a collaborative, living landscape.Year-round outdoor access
Regardless of the season, CATS is always ready to welcome you. Hike in summer, ski or snowshoe in winter—CATS remains inviting through all seasons, promising a year-round adventure.
Luminaria Walk on Lonely Hill Trail.
Getting there and tips for exploring.
Trailhead Access: Since CATS trails are spread throughout the Champlain Valley—not centralized—view trail maps online before heading out. Target specific areas, such as Westport, Essex, Willsboro, or Keeseville, depending on your activity preferences.
Plan Your Route: Whether it’s a morning hike with lake views or a serene winter ski, check recent maps for newly added trails and amenities.
Engage Locally: Drop by local shops, participate in volunteer events, or time your visit with CATS community hikes to deepen your connection to the region.
Respect the Land: Trails traverse both preserved and working landscapes—embrace Leave No Trace principles and tread gently.
For more information, visit the CATS website. You will also find interactive and downloadable trail maps to help you plan your adventure.
A word to the Adventurer.
You seek something more than a summit. You’re drawn to riverside moments, golden ponds, quiet forests—places where care for the land is woven into every trail sign and volunteer sweat bead. You’re not climbing for altitude; you’re reconnecting with the land, community, and simple joys. That’s the spirit of CATS.
So whether you're visiting the Adirondacks for the first time or returning for a quieter journey, let the Champlain Area Trails guide you toward hidden charm, meaningful trails, and fresh ways to fall in love with this storied region.
Your next Adirondack adventure starts not at the summit—but in the heart of the Champlain Valley.
Learn more about the impact of CATS.
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