The Lakes to Locks Passage in upper New York state

April 14, 2011 12:00 AM

Starting just north of Albany, New York, the Lakes to Locks Passage Byway is a scenic road that embodies the idea of combining road trips with history, culture and beautiful landscapes.

Drivers can start in Waterford on Route 4, heading north. As they pass through Saratoga and Fort Edward, they begin to notice the Adirondacks rising in front of them.

In Whitehall, they'll turn left onto Route 22, which brings travelers into Adirondack State Park. Be sure to stop at Fort Ticonderoga and take a walk on La Chute River Interpretive Trail. The hike begins in the center of the village center.

Shortly after Ticonderoga, the road turns into Route 22/9N, so don't get confused! You're probably still on the right road so long as you're driving next to the southern portion of Lake Champlain. At Crown Point, stop at the Champlain Monument & Lighthouse, an interesting structure that used to be a windmill.

The northernmost part of the Lakes to Locks Passage offers beautiful mountain and lake scenery. Be sure to stop at Bluff Point and Ausable Chasm. The later offers a two-mile raft ride through a canyon setting.

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