Cranberry Lake 50
~4 days · 48.8 mi · hard · Loop
Quick facts
What the Cranberry Lake 50 is known for
The Cranberry Lake 50 is a 50-mile loop around Cranberry Lake in the northwestern Adirondacks, following gentle, remote forest trail with primitive campsites along the way. Most hikers take 3-4 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 4,875 ft to 6,276 ft over 48.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 12.7 mi · 26%
- Downhill 11.8 mi · 24%
- Flat 23.9 mi · 49%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Cranberry Lake 50?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Cranberry Lake 50 scores 17/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Cranberry Lake 50 take?
Most backpackers hike the Cranberry Lake 50 in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 48.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Cranberry Lake 50?
The Cranberry Lake 50 climbs roughly 3,402 ft total — about 70 ft per mile, topping out near 1,916 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.