With thousands of mountains and hills over six million acres,  it’s fairly obvious that the Adirondacks is a hiker’s paradise. But where to hike? With so much wilderness, how do you choose where to go and what challenges to take on?

Hamilton County is by far the least populated county in the entire state. It’s jam-packed with wilderness, including some great hikes. For something a little more off the beaten path, a little quieter and serene, we’ve put together a list of some of awesome hidden gem hikes. (You didn’t really think we’d make you do the digging, did you?) So read on, then pack your map, boots, and start planning!

Cascade and Stephens Ponds

Blue Mountain Lake has a few wonderful spots to hike, including Blue Mountain and Castle Rock, but we think Cascade and Stephens ponds, located a few miles to the southeast in the Blue Ridge Wilderness, are two beautiful destinations well worth a visit. In any season, you'll find peaceful forests and pristine waters over trails of small rolling hills. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of an otter; they've been known to frequent this area, as well as a number of birds to add to your list, including loons and bald eagles. As part of this trail doubles as a section of the Northville - Placid Trail, it's possible for this to turn into a longer trip, but the ponds themselves are excellent spots for a walk in the woods.

The trailhead for this hike is located off Durant Road (County Road 19). This is a short dirt road with free, primitive campsites near the shore of Lake Durant. Starting from here, hikers cross over the picturesque floating bridge over Rock Pond and continue for 2.8 miles to Cascade Pond. The lean-to on the pond is an excellent spot to stop, enjoy a picnic (don't forget to Leave No Trace!), and take in the scenery. Hikers can turn around here or continue onward to Stephens Pond. Stephens is larger than Cascade and incredibly pretty as well.

Robbs Creek Trail

This hike is perfect for anyone looking for serene, quiet woods without a lot of climbing. The Robbs Creek Trail is along an old forest road, now closed to vehicular traffic. The old road weaves in and out and crosses Robbs Creek several times while working its way over rolling hills to the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. This is a perfect trail for a peaceful walk in the forest with a most gorgeous creek to keep you company. This road walk is also used to access the Hayes Flow Trail.

Good Luck Mountain