Fairy Ladder Falls

Essex County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Essex County, New York
Access status: Partial: trail route documented; the last 0.2 miles is a thick bushwhack
The walk: About 4.2 miles one way
Ground & access: Long trail climb, then a stiff, very thick bushwhack to the base.

Northern New York Waterfalls: Fairy Ladder Falls

Park at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) lot on NY 73 across from the Giant Mountain Wilderness signs, just south of St. Huberts. From the guard shack, walk Lake Road to the Gill Brook Trail, climb about 2.3 miles on the trail past the lower Gill Brook falls, then make a 0.2-mile bushwhack to the 90-foot falls. Fairy Ladder Falls is just outside the AMR and is reached through it under an easement. Hikers can get glimpses from the marked trail at high water. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking on NY 73 at St. Huberts, Lake Road to Gill Brook Trail, then a short, very thick bushwhack to Fairy Ladder Falls

Northern New York Waterfalls lists the hike as about 4.2 miles one way: Lake Road to Gill Brook Trail, about 2.3 miles up the trail, then a 0.2-mile bushwhack.

Long trail climb, then a stiff, very thick bushwhack to the base.

Where to start

AMR hiker parking lot on NY 73 just south of St. Huberts, across from the Giant Mountain Wilderness signs. The AMR runs a hiker parking reservation portal; reserve before going when reservations are required.

Timing & water

Best seen at high water. Expect snow and ice in winter.

Before you go

Parking reservation through the AMR hiker parking portal (hikeamr.org). Follow AMR easement rules.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Essex County, New York.

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