Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers: The Perfect Day Hike in the High Peaks
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Big Side Mountain in Keene Valley, NY is one of the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. These are all the mountains in Adirondack Park with an elevation over 4,000ft. It is the 27th highest of the 46, sitting at an elevation of 4,240ft. This is a fantastic moderate hike that is one of the best introductions to hiking the 46 high peaks!
With an easy to follow trail, amazing views, and easy access to other fun activities in the Adirondacks, Big Slide Mountain makes for a tremendous day hike for many visitors to upstate NY. This post provides details on parking, the most common trail used to hike Big Slide Mountain and what to expect at the summit. I’ve also added in some ideas for other mountains to hike near Big Slide, the trails from the same trailhead, and nearby things to do if you’re looking to make a weekend out of your trip to the Adirondacks.
Planning a weekend in the Adirondack High Peaks Region? Browse nearby accommodations!
Keep reading or click on a header below to jump to the specific section you’re looking for!
- Parking
- Lot Fee
- Where to go if the Garden is Full
- The Brothers Trail
- Ascending the Brothers
- First Through Third
- Junction
- Trail Stats
- Summit
- Descending
- Mountains to Add
- Yard Mountain Trail
- Big Slide Trail
- Nearby Trails
- From the Garden
- Down the Road
- Things to Pair with Your Hike for Longer Visits
- One Day
- Three Days
- Explore Nearby Towns
- Create a Backpacking Trip
- Bear Can Regulations
Looking for more high peaks info? Browse all posts on the blog about the ADK 46.
An old photo from my 2017 hike of Big Slide Mountain!
Parking for Big Slide Mountain
The most common route to hike Big Slide Mountain starts from a popular parking area called the Garden lot in Keene Valley. This lot can be notorious for filling up quickly so you will definitely want to plan an early start for your hike. The parking area holds maybe 30-35 cars and a lot of people use this lot for overnight hikes as well.
My husband and I hiked Big Slide Mountain Saturday July 18th, 2026. We arrived at the Garden a little before 5am because I was paranoid and while the lot wasn’t full, there were probably less than a dozen spots available. Even as we were getting ready to hit the trail, 4 cars came in right after us so it did start to fill up fairly quickly.
If you are looking for a nearby campground for the night before to ensure an early start to your hike, I recommend checking out Sharp Bridge Campground! This campground is in North Hudson, NY which is only about 20 minutes away from the Garden. You can look into reservations on ReserveAmerica.
Lot Fee
There is a fee of $10/day cash to park in the Garden. After you find a spot, head up to the shack at the lot entrance and fill out an envelope with your information and cash. This hut isn’t always attended so make sure you have exact cash.
Where to Go if the Garden is Full
There is no parking along the road to the Garden either since it is a residential street. If the parking lot is full, you have to park at the Rooster Comb trailhead and walk in (somewhere between 1.5 and 2 miles one way).
You can also check if the hiker shuttle is running out of Keene. Generally this shuttle runs July to October and is $10 round trip from 7am to 7pm. The Town of Keene website has details on where the shuttle runs from and even though the page lists 2024 as the year, from my research it seems this is still accurate information. Definitely double check though if you plan on using this option!
The trailhead for Big Slide is at the end of the lot, clearly marked with a trail sign and blue trail markers. You’ll sign into the hiker log book, head up The Brothers Trail to the right, and be on your way. Sometimes stewards are also set up at tables by the trailhead for any questions!
Hiking Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers Trail
I have hiked Big Slide Mountain two times now- one this past July 2026 and my first time in September of 2017. Both times were on The Brothers Trail. The 2017 adventure was fall of my sophomore year of college as a part of 46 Climbs, a non-profit raising money for suicide prevention that I highly recommend checking out and getting involved in!
The Brothers Trail is amazing both as a summer trip and a fall day hike. Even if you are not there during peak foliage, you can count on stunning views as you are so embedded in the High Peaks Region that all the mountains just rise up around you. The trail itself has many open spots offering views as well- no need to wait for the summit!
Click here to view my AllTrails recording from hiking Big Slide Mountain via The Brothers.
Group photo from 2017 participation in 46 Climbs.
Ascending the Brothers
We hit the trail at 5:15am. While we started with headlamps, within 30 minutes the sun was up enough we could put them away. The trail starts as a classic rocky and rooty Adirondacks trail with a gentle to moderate incline for the first half mile. You’ll be warming up quick!
You will then hit a section about a mile long with a steeper incline. This is when the trail starts to get more rocky with a little bit of scrambling in spots. Less than an hour into your hike though, you’ll have your first opening in the trees and some beautiful views!
First through Third Brother
Here is when you have reached the First Brother as well. Take time for a quick rest, some water, maybe a snack, and then enjoy the next open stretch that gets you to Second Brother, less than half a mile away!
In mid-July, there was fantastic blueberry picking on this stretch of the trail as well! What an unexpected but lovely find. My husband and I easily added 15 minutes to our hike as we were just wandering around eating blueberries haha.
It’s only another half mile to Third Brother from here (you should be about 2.5 miles total into your hike once you reach it). There is quite the rock scramble to reach the top and some slicker rock faces too. Be careful as these can be very tricky when they are wet! And knowing the Adirondacks, they are almost always damp after rain or covered in a layer of mud.
From Third Brother, you’ll have an easy half mile descent and one more mile of climbing until you are at the summit of Big Slide Mountain! In this trail section you will surely encounter some classic Adirondack mud. I’d almost missed that in the five years it’d been since I hiked the high peaks. Luckily, there are lots of logs and rocks to use for those swampy crossings.
Junction to Summit
About a quarter mile from the summit, you’ll hit your first (and only) junction of the day. Turn right (go north) to hike Big Slide Mountain on a very short stretch of Big Slide Trail. Turning left (going south) takes you down Big Slide Trail towards all the lean-tos surrounding the Johns Brook Primitive Area and Lodge. These are just under 2 miles away which make them a great option if you are backpacking and want to tackle multiple peaks in one trip!
The very last bit of the trail has you climbing man-made ladders up steep rock faces to reach Big Slide’s summit. If it’s very dry you can maybe climb on the rock face if you aren’t comfortable on the ladders but be very careful!
Trail Stats
Mileage: 7.6mi
Elevation Gain: ~3,107ft
Date Hiked: July 18, 2026
Moving Time: 4h 49min
Parking:
Garden Lot
or
44.18906, -73.81587
Big Slide Mountain Summit
The summit of Big Slide Mountain is exceptionally rewarding and has amazing views! The peak has a large open rocky summit perfect for a rest and recharge. You might want to break out a layer up here or throw on a hat- even on a warm day the wind can be biting cold!
The stunning landscape in front of you lets you enjoy the impressive ridge of the Great Range. Upper and Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, and Gothics are all part of the Adirondack 46 that lie in the Lower Great Range and are visible from the top of Big Slide Mountain. The Upper Great Range consists of Haystack, Basin, and Saddleback (HaBaSa).
I absolutely love sitting on Big Slide because the hike isn’t too long or demanding so you can actually enjoy the rest without feeling like you still have a whole day’s worth of hiking in front of you. We hit the summit at around 8am, so just under 3 hours from when we set out. Of course, know your own hiking ability and understand that you may be faster or slower for completing these 3.5-4 miles.
Descending Big Slide Mountain
Once you’re ready to head back down, make sure you take Big Slide trail back to that last junction. You don’t want to head off in the wrong direction, end up at Yard Mountain and have to turn around. The trail down is fairly straightforward. All I can recommend is be careful of the ladders and any slippery sections!
Mountains You Can Add to Your Big Slide Mountain Hike
While The Brothers is the most popular trail to hike Big Slide, Big Slide Mountain can also be reached by a couple other trails. Note all of these options are longer routes and are most popular for backpackers rather than day hikers. Please bring a map (such as the High Peaks Adirondack Trail Map from Adirondack Mountain Club or the National Geographic Lake Placid/High Peaks Trail Map) to verify your route and keep on hand during your hike.
Yard Mountain Trail
Both Yard Mountain Trail and Big Slide Trail come from a deeper trail network in the Adirondack Mountains. Yard Mountain, maybe a mile or so south of Big Slide Mountain, can be added to your day hike or you can continue hiking past it to reach the Klondike Notch Trail which stretches east to west between the Johns Brook Primitive Area and closer to the Adirondack Loj.
Big Slide Trail
Big Slide Trail directly connects Big Slide Mountain to Johns Brook Lodge. There are many lean-tos in this area that make for the perfect jumping off point to hike more mountains! From these camping areas you can climb the Great Range which includes the Wolfjaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack.
Looking to hike the Haystack, Basin, and Saddleback trio as a day hike? Read my post about hiking HaBaSa here!
If you are ambitious or doing a longer trip, you can get over to the Marcy Dam area as well and hike mountains around there. If you’re interested in backpacking, see more notes about hiking Big Slide as part of a backpacking trip in the later section in this post.
Other Trails Near Big Slide Mountain
Wondering what else you can hike that is near Big Slide Mountain? Maybe you’re trying to do multiple day trips or you know you enjoy the area but you’ve already accomplished summiting Big Slide. Check out the next two sections for a couple more ideas for hikes to do in the area.
Or click here to revisit the list of 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks.
From the Garden
The Garden lot has a second trail option you can take, Phelps Trail, which leads directly to Johns Brook Primitive Area and the Great Range. Many hikers choose to break the Great Range up into two separate day hikes: the Lower Great Range and Upper Great Range.
The Lower Great Range consists of Haystack, Basin, and Saddleback. I have a separate post all about hiking the HaBaSa trip and everything you need to know.
The Upper Great Range consists of Gothics, Armstrong, and Upper and Lower Wolfjaw. If you are backpacking or capable of a very long day hike, you can even reach Mount Marcy, Gray, and Skylight from this trailhead. However, there are shorter, easier trails to reach these peaks from the Adirondack Loj.
Down the Road
Surrounding Keene Valley, there are other fantastic hikes even if they are not part of the ADK 46 list. Many of these have trail options in the AllTrails app and are within a few minutes of town. If you are camping nearby or don’t want to visit a larger town such as Lake Placid, one of these would be great to do if you have another day in the area!
Rooster Comb Trail is less than 5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of a little over 1,700ft. Snow Mountain can be added to the loop to extend your hike as well.
Hopkins Mountain is around 6 miles and 2,100ft of elevation gain while Spread Eagle Mountain is closer to 6.5 miles and 2,500ft of elevation gain.
Blueberry Mountain, which is just north of town, is less mileage at 4 miles but still 2,000ft of elevation gain.
I have not hiked any of these additional trails mentioned above yet, but would love to explore them in the future!
For longer hikes and more high peaks, the Ausable Road and Adirondack Mountain Reserve trailheads are just a 5 minute drive south of Keene Valley. These trailheads can bring you to the Lower Great Range, Sawteeth, Dial, Nippletop, Colvin, and Blake. Indian Head is slightly shorter of a day hike compared to these and has an absolutely jaw-dropping view as well!
Pairing Activities with Your Day Hike of Big Slide Mountain
One thing about me is that I absolutely love to “make a day of it” when I go on a hike! I have found so many wonderful spots by searching for cafés, breweries, and other nearby activities when I am venturing out to camp or do a day hike. If you’re looking to make the most of your adventure, check out some ideas below!
If You Have One Day
If you only have one day to explore the area and you have time after hiking Big Slide Mountain, I recommend exploring Keene Valley itself! Noonmark Diner is an absolutely fantastic restaurant to enjoy for breakfast or lunch. Since we finished our hike at 11am, we were able to get the best post-hike breakfast with diner coffee, pie, a cinnamon roll, and the perfect plate of eggs and sausage.
Keene Valley also has a couple shops such as The Birch Store (think cute, curated clothes, goodies, and Adirondack-themed home goods) and The Mountaineer (outdoor gear and clothing). The Rivermede Farm Market is a great way to support local farmers through maple goods, balsam pillows, and other treats and home items.
Just south of town is Roaring Brook Falls. This trail is less than a mile out and back so if you’re looking for a quick afternoon stroll, this would be perfect. If you just want a glimpse but are done getting your steps in for the day, you should be able to see the falls from the pull-off area as well.
The Ausable Inn makes for a great dinner location as they have a wonderful food selection and bar. Of course you can book a reservation at Ausable Inn as well if you want to stay the evening in the area. Rooster Comb Inn or Keene Valley Lodge are other options for lodging in town if you are looking for a cozy stay!
Browse accommodations for your dates in Keene Valley, NY.
If You Have Three Days (Think a Long Weekend!)
Exploring Nearby Towns
If you are looking to make a long weekend (or extended mid-week visit) to the High Peaks Region that includes hiking Big Slide Mountain at the beginning or end of your trip, you really can’t go wrong with a stop in another of the Adirondack towns!
Lake Placid, of course, is my top recommendation for nearby towns to explore. This iconic New York town is only 25 minutes away and is jam-packed full of activities. Explore the history of the 1980 Olympics, try unique foods and drinks at all the local breweries that have popped up, spend time on Mirror Lake, or do some boutique shopping downtown.
It’s also a great jumping off point if you want to do other hikes in the area. I can’t possibly fit everything I love about Lake Placid here, but I highly recommend checking it out!
Browse Lake Placid accommodations on Booking.com here!
Other nearby towns within an hour or so include Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. Both have their own unique downtowns to explore! There are endless cabins and vacation rentals around as well. The Adirondacks are truly a nature lover’s dream with countless options for hiking, kayaking, camping, cycling, swimming, and more.
Turn Your Hike into a Backpacking Trip
Maybe you want to add another high peak to your adventure or you are just looking to spend some more time in the woods. While Big Slide Mountain alone is an amazing day hike, extending your hike of Big Slide into a backpacking trip is a great way to see more of the Adirondack Mountains and challenge yourself. There are many lean-tos and camping areas around Johns Brook Lodge and Marcy Dam.
Many people enjoy hiking Mount Marcy or the Great Range as part of overnight trips. See the above section for other trails from the Garden to learn more about the peaks you can add to your hike. You may even be able to do a car spot and leave a car by the Adirondack Loj or the Adirondack Mountain Reserve so you don’t have to do a straight out and back.
Please note this post does not go into detail about the best routes for turning your day hike into a backpacking trip! I recommend doing your own research using resources such as the Adirondack Mountain Club High Peaks Trail Map and High Peaks Guidebook to plan your overnight.
For any backpackers or beginners looking to make sure they are prepared for their next trek, don’t forget to check out my Backpacking Essentials post and download your packing list.
Bear Can Regulations in New York State
Note that New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requires use of bear-resistant canisters for any overnights in the Eastern High Peaks wilderness from April 1st to November 30th. Even if not required, they recommend using them elsewhere in the park and in the Catskills as well. See the NYSDEC Bear-Resistant Canisters page for more details on these regulations.
I highly recommend the Bare Boxer Contender for 1 to 2 night trips. This was the smallest and lightest canister I could find on the market at the time I purchased it (around 2020) and it has served me well on multiple excursions since then! In the past couple years, the company has also come out with the Bare Boxer Champ which is great for trips closer to 5 days long!
For more on the Adirondack High Peaks, I also have posts on the Santanoni Range and the Seward Range. Both are long day hikes but provide camping options along their routes allowing you to turn them into short backpacking trips.
Please do additional research and understand your hiking ability before committing to an overnight trip. I have a post that provides a comprehensive list of essential backpacking gear but it does not contain all of the rules and regulations for camping in the Adirondacks.
Thanks for Reading!
Hopefully this post helps you understand why I call this hike the perfect day hike in the high peaks! You’ve got classic rocks, roots, and mud to trudge through but you’re rewarded with beautiful views throughout the hike and it’s just so much fun! With accessible parking, fun ladders up the rocks, and a manageable amount of technical terrain, you’ll feel so accomplished.
If this inspired you to learn more about hiking in the Adirondacks, check out all the posts I’ve written on the ADK 46 here.
Nothing like reaching the summit and feeling excited to check Big Slide Mountain off your list of the ADK 46. And if you’re making a weekend out of it, Big Slide Mountain is so close to Lake Placid and other wonderful towns in the Adirondack region just waiting for you to come and explore!
