Discover Red Sandstone Trail

Four-season trail along the west bank of the Raquette River from Hannawa Falls to Sugar Island, just south of Potsdam Village.
TRAIL ACTIVITY
LENGTH
4.60 miles, Network
DIFFICULTY
Easy, Moderate
TOWNS
Pierrepont, Potsdam
SURFACE
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Pavement/Cement, Grass, Stairways/Ladders
PETS
Permitted
FEES
No

Description

The Red Sandstone trail, maintained by the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, offers great views of the Raquette River through varying terrain. Beginning at the South entrance, the trail follows the Raquette River rapids and passes a quarry and dam before meeting a junction at 1.5 miles. At the junction is the parking area for the north entrance of the trail. The trail continues north, turning to the right and crossing a stairway over the aqueduct pipeline. The trail on the other side of pipe hugs the shoreline closely as it travels north.

The trail forks near the entrance to Sugar Island, bearing right, the trail continues on a loop around Sugar Island with an option to take a left for a shorter loop, or continue straight for a longer circumnavigation of the island.

There are interpretive signs provided by the Adirondack Mountain Club throughout the trail which detail the history of the Raquette River and the local area. This is a great trail for all ages and can be used for a short mid-day outing, or half a day of exploration.

The trails on Sugar Island are open year-round and offer over two miles of cross-country skiing in the winter.

Other Information

 

 
This trail is part of the Great 8 Challenge. Learn more!

 

 

 

Trail Manager

The Red Sandstone Trail is coordinated by the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, maintained by the St. Lawrence County Youth Conservation Corps, and is on land owned by Brascan Power N.Y./Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P.

Adirondack Mountain Club - Laurentian Chapter (Red Sandstone)

Adirondack Mountain Club - Laurentian Chapter (Red Sandstone)
Red Sandstone Trail Coordinator
Blair Madore
Phone: 315-261-0751
madorebf@potsdam.edu
View website

Nearby Businesses

Trail Tips

Avoid the Ivy
Learn to recognize poison ivy, which commonly grows along the edges of trails, fields, and rivers. If contacted, use soap and a washcloth to vigorously wash the oils from your skin.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

Southern access: Parking is available on the east side of Mill Street across the street from the Hannawa Falls Fire Department

Northern access: Parking is available at the end of the dirt access road off of County Road 138 (“Back Hannawa Road”) across from Sweeney Road.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Sign In or Create Account to add comments.
madorebf@potsdam.edu
May 26, 2023
I added photos of the trail registers in the photo log. Please sign the trail registers when you use the trail. Although there is no rule requiring you to do so, the data provided helps us justify the ongoing funding and development of the trail. We have added hands free options as well, so you can register using your cell phone and not have to touch the register book.
madorebf@potsdam.edu
May 26, 2023
At the northern tip of Sugar Island there is a canoe landing, a picnic table and a grill - it's a great place for a family dinner whether accessed by water or by land. Some regular trail users paddle to the island, land here and walk around Sugar Island before paddling home.
madorebf@potsdam.edu
May 26, 2023
In the summertime ticks can be particularly bad on the Sugar Island portion of the trail. Humans can protect themselves with long pants and bug spray around the ankles but most dogs will pick up a lot of ticks. You and your pets should both be showered and check for ticks after a hike here.
madorebf@potsdam.edu
May 26, 2023
In the summertime ticks can be particularly bad on the Sugar Island portion of the trail. Humans can protect themselves with long pants and bug spray around the ankles but most dogs will pick up a lot of ticks. You and your pets should both be showered and check for ticks after a hike here.
madorebf@potsdam.edu
May 26, 2023
In the summertime ticks can be particularly bad on the Sugar Island portion of the trail. Humans can protect themselves with long pants and bug spray around the ankles but most dogs will pick up a lot of ticks. You and your pets should both be showered and check for ticks after a hike here.
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