When hiking Fairystone State Park's Lake Shore Trail, you’ll see children and adults, dogs and horses, hiking boots and sneakers.
Of the 13-plus miles of trails in Fairystone State Park, I’ll bet Lake Shore Trail is the most popular. I’ve hiked the trail about 25 times and regardless of the time of year, I think I’ve bumped into at least one person each time. It’s never packed but it’s rarely empty, either.
Great for Beginners
What makes Lake Shore attractive is its terrain. It’s relatively flat. When the trail heads up or down it dips…slightly. Nothing too steep here. So, if you have children or you haven’t hit the gym for a while, Lake Shore is a very do-able trail.
In addition to the friendly geography of Lake Shore, its distance is perfect for the hiking newcomer or for the individual with little time to squeeze in a walk. It’s just over a mile from the trailhead to the end of the trail.
The Scenery
If you like scenery, this is the trail for you. Trees on both sides. Families of deer are easily spotted. Squirrels running around in the leaves. At the halfway point you’re suddenly walking alongside Fairystone Lake. Next to the Lake, where the trail climbs up a bit, there’s an overlook. It’s great for taking photos of the Lake. (The photo above was shot there last weekend.) It’s the perfect spot for your camera and the view really changes with each season.
The Pay-Off
The trail ends at a dam where Fairystone Lake and Philpott Lake intersect. There’s a neat little spillway and a couple of small---but loud---waterfalls. I saw two people fishing by the waterfalls on Sunday. Besides me, that was it. Go there in the summer, though, and you’ll find adults and children spending hours there playing in water. It’s really a cool spot.
Give it a Shot
It’s impossible to lose your way on this trail. The trees are clearly marked (yellow blaze) and even I couldn’t get lost my first time thanks to the excellent signage. It’s a great, safe, little out and back trail that just about everyone can enjoy.
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