Double Time Trail: Short Hike in Wilmington, NY with Views!

Smooth pine trails, rocky hilltop views, and a quick detour to a scenic lookout make this loop hike in Wilmington, NY, an easy hike just north of Lake Placid!

Tucked just off a quiet road in the almost 16,000-acre Wilmington Wild Forest, the Double Time, Safe Bet, and Good Luck Loop is a well-marked, dog-friendly trail system that offers a little elevation, a soft forest floor, and a lookout with big eastern views!

These 14,000 acres within Wilmington Wild Forest can be some of the harshest in the Adirondacks in terms of climate and terrain, but also the most beautiful if you hike to some of its small summits and backcountry ponds. -Whitefaceregion.com 🌲

We hiked this trail after driving up from CT. It's a great walk to do to stretch your legs, get the dogs some exercise, and take in two beautiful views for not a lot of work!

This trail guide gives you an overview of this 2.2-mile loop, along with turn-by-turn directions so you don't miss the lookout! (Which is easy to do!) 🙂

Double Time Trail, Safe Bet Trail, Good Luck Trail Loop

Miles: 2.2 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 295 feet elevation gain
Level: Easy - Moderate
Parking: pull off along Hardy Road. Click here to navigate to 44.36414, -73.80078
Special features: Beaver Meadow Lookout at the start and east-facing overlook at the top
AllTrails link 🔗

First, you'll park in the roadside pull-off along Hardy Road (there’s space for several cars) and then head across the street to start the hike on the Double Time Trail, marked with red blazes.

This short hike has two different views. One of the views is at Beaver Brook at the start (or end) of the hike, and the scenic mountain view is just one mile in.

It's easy to miss the main lookout, so be sure to read the turn-by-turn directions carefully since the view is not directly on the trail!

beaver brook view at sunset time in wilmington ny. — Hike to the overlook first then hit Beaver Brook Lookout on way down so you can watch the sunset here!

The trail begins on a padded pine path, winding gently through the forest. While the path is smooth, these are shared-use trails popular with mountain bikers, so keep an ear out for a "behind you!" or an "on your right!".

You’ll notice the trail gets a bit rockier and more rugged as you climb higher. At the top, you’ll catch a breezy east-facing view through the trees that would likely be stunning at sunrise.

green mountain view at golden hour with soft pink sky in wilmington, new york.

At the end of the hike before crossing the street to the car, be sure to take the short, well-signed 0.1-mile detour to Beaver Brook Lookout—you’ll see the sign near the start of the loop, but you can also catch it on the way out if you’d prefer to save it for the end.

It’s a peaceful scene of the brook and mountain range in the distance that adds an extra reward to this hike. With a little bench, the water, and outline of mountains in the distance - we loved watching the sunset here!

🗺️ TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS 🧭

From the parking area along Hardy Road, cross the street to find the trailhead and start the hike following signs for the Double Time Trail.
After .3 miles, continue following signs for Double Time Trail.
At 0.42 miles, bear left to start the loop going clockwise.
At 0.65 miles, bear left following signs for Good Luck Trail
The view will be about 1 mile in on the right, but you'll need to climb up a rocky mound/hill. There will be two rocky tops on your right. Should you notice both of them, the view will be on the second one.
At 1.5 miles, bear left following signs for Safe Bet Trail.
At 1.7 miles, the loop portion is complete, bear left on the Double Time Trail where you started and walk the rest of the way out to the car.
Before you exit, follow the signs on your right for Beaver Brook Lookout which is just 0.1 miles off the main trail.

Overall, this loop in Wilmington Wild Forest is a great pick if you're looking for a short, moderate, peaceful trail with just enough elevation to feel like a little workout without being strenuous.

padded pine trail leading through the woods lined with bright green trees and trail signs in wilmington new york.

With soft forest paths, a gentle mix of terrain, and minimal crowds, it’s a local favorite worth exploring when visiting Lake Placid or the Wilmington area.

I hope you enjoy this trail as much as I did. To get the soft pink colors in the sky, check out this hike an hour or so before sunset! 🥾🩷🌲