The trail to Ledge Mountain Overlook was built by Keegan Roberts as an Eagle Scout Project.  The trail prior was a bushwhack to the cliffs and overlook.  The ADK Guidebook Adirondack Trails: West-Central Region on page 238 list this hike as 'Keegan's Trail to Ledge Mountain Overlook', however the DEC sign on NY 8 has the trail as the Vista Trail.  Either way this is an easy hike to a really nice view in the southern Adirondacks.

The toughest part of this hike is first finding the trailhead as the DEC sign is hard to see as your driving on NY 8 and second, the dirt road isn't the best for low clearance vehicles.  Don't let that stop you since the hike is so short, if you add walking the dirt road the whole hike is just under one mile to the overlook.  We did this hike from the DEC sign near NY 8 and walked the dirt road.  It's up to you if you want to drive up the dirt road to the other, smaller parking area.  Be sure to veer left at the "Y".

We'd recommend this hike as a leg stretcher for a nice break from driving if your heading into the southern Adirondacks via NY 8.  The dirt road is located a few miles east of NY 365 and prior to arriving in Nobleboro on NY 8.  The gps coordinates are N43 22.662 W74 55.101 for those with a gps device available.  This easy hike has an overall elevation gain of 350 feet from the DEC sign near NY 8 or 310 feet from the small parking area at the trail register.

From the DEC sign near NY 8, walk along the dirt road.  At 0.15 miles veer left at the Y in the roads.  At 0.3 miles reach the small parking area and trail register.  The dirt road continues on into private property (don't trespass).  The main trail heads into the woods just past the trail register.  Follow the yellow DEC discs.  The trail is easy to follow as the start is an easy walk in the forest.

At 0.4 miles, the steady climb begins.  At 0.7 miles pass a rather large boulder among many rocks.  Soon the trail curves along a ravine as you begin the final push up the mountain.  At 0.9 miles there is a view that is a bit blocked.  Continue to follow the trail to the your final destination, Ledge Mountain Overlook.  Be careful as the final few feet is a quick drop to the overlook and then be extra careful on the ledge as your at the edge of a cliff! 

The view is expansive as West Canada Creek winds it's way through the forest.  There is very little signs of man in the view (besides the gravel pit below).  You may be able to make out NY 8 in the distance.  We have pictures, a video and map of this great hike in the southern Adirondacks.

Pictures from Ledge Mountain Overlook

DEC sign and the dirt road.	Dirt road that leads to other parking area.	Rough part of road at a curve.	Small parking area & Trail register	Large boulder among many rocks and a well marked trail.
The final push	View along trail.	View from Ledge Mountain Overlook	View from Ledge Mountain Overlook	Walking along the dirt road back to NY 8.

 

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