Ride the rails, then ride the coast
There's something special about starting a bike ride by train. Settle into a window seat, watch the landscapes unfold, and catch glimpses of the roads and shoreline you'll soon be riding. By the time you step off the train, your adventure is already underway.
That's exactly how I recently explored the Lake Champlain Region, and it might be one of the best point-to-point cycling adventures you can build. Hop the Amtrak train in Ticonderoga, ride north to Westport, then pedal 40 scenic miles back down the Adirondack coast through farmland, forest, and Revolutionary War history. No shuttle car needed. No out-and-back. Just a relaxing trip by rail followed by an unforgettable day in the saddle.
A scenic start by Amtrak
The Ticonderoga station connects you to the Adirondack line, Amtrak's route between New York City and Montreal that follows the western shore of Lake Champlain. Bikes are welcome aboard New York state trains, with onboard racks that make loading easy. Simply roll your bike on, hang it up, and settle into a window seat. Be sure to reserve a bike space when you book your ticket, as spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The ride to Westport takes about an hour, but it's a journey you'll wish lasted longer. This stretch of the Adirondack line has earned a reputation as one of the world's most scenic train rides, offering glimpses of Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the rolling Adirondack foothills. As the train winds north, you'll catch previews of the landscapes you'll soon experience from the saddle, making the transition from rail to road feel like a natural continuation of the adventure.
Westport Station and the Depot Theatre
Stepping off the train in Westport, you're greeted by one of the region's most unique landmarks. Built by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad in 1876, the depot was expanded in 1891 and again in 1908 to accommodate growing rail traffic. After the railroad sold the building to the Town of Westport for just one dollar in 1974, the Westport Historical Society led a restoration that helped preserve its historic character.
Today, the depot serves a dual purpose. It's still an active Amtrak station, welcoming passengers along the Adirondack line, while also housing the Depot Theatre, a professional summer theatre that has staged performances since 1979. Before you clip in and start pedaling, take a few minutes to admire the beautifully restored station. It's not every day a bike ride begins at a historic train depot that's also home to live theater.
The route: Westport to Ticonderoga
From Westport, the ride starts easy. Head down Main Street to State Highway 9N, and you're immediately in that classic Champlain Valley mix of open farmland, rolling hills, and lake views that pop in and out between the trees.
Port Henry and the Stewart's stop. A few miles down 9N, you'll roll into Port Henry, a former iron mining town with a charming downtown overlooking Lake Champlain. Make a stop at Stewart's. It's basically mandatory. Gatorade and ice cream mid-ride are among my unwritten rules of Adirondack cycling, and Port Henry is the perfect place to cash them in.
The detour to Crown Point State Historic Site. Continue south on 9N before turning onto Bridge Road for a worthwhile detour to the Lake Champlain Bridge, the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse, and Crown Point State Historic Site. It's one of the ride's highlights, combining lake views with some of the region's most significant history. The lighthouse, dedicated in 1912 to commemorate Samuel de Champlain's exploration of the lake, stands beside the ruins of Crown Point's French and British forts. Once one of the most strategic military sites on Lake Champlain, the fort played a pivotal role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The grounds are free and open year-round, and there's a small museum on site if you want to dig deeper before getting back on the bike.
Back through Crown Point. After exploring, head down Lake Road into the town of Crown Point before rejoining State Highway 9N.
The final country miles. This is where the ride earns its farmland reputation. A quick turn onto Shore Airport Road, then Delano Road, Shanahan Road, McLaughlin Road, and finally Fort Ti Road carries you through a string of quiet back roads lined with open fields and classic Adirondack farmhouses. Keep an eye out for grazing cattle, horses in the pastures, and the everyday rhythms of farm life unfolding around you. It's a completely different feel from the lakeside miles, tighter, greener, and about as peaceful as riding gets. Fort Ti Road delivers you right back to the parking area at the Ticonderoga train station, closing out the adventure.
The numbers
Distance: roughly 40 miles
Elevation gain: about 2,200 feet
Moving time: 3 hours 45 minutes (not counting the lighthouse detour, the Stewart's stop, or any other exploring)
The climbing is real but never brutal, mostly rolling terrain with a few honest efforts mixed in, especially around the Crown Point detour. Nothing here requires a climbing legend. It just requires a decent gear range and a willingness to stop for ice cream.
Why you should ride this
This route hits everything that makes the Lake Champlain Region worth riding a bike through. You get the coastal views along 9N, the deep human history at Crown Point and the lighthouse, a Stewart's stop that somehow always tastes better mid-ride than it has any right to, and a finishing stretch through quiet farm roads.
And the train makes the whole thing possible without any of the usual point-to-point headaches. No dropping a car at the finish, no doubling back over the same pavement. Just a scenic ride north on the rails, a full day of exploring by bike, and a straight shot home. If you've got a road or gravel bike, a bike rack reservation, and a free day this summer, this is one of the better ways to spend it in the Adirondacks.
