Elephant’s Head Trail (Lake Titus area, Franklin County, NY)
Elephant’s Head is a popular short hike near Lake Titus that climbs through mixed forest to a rocky overlook with views of the surrounding hills and water. The trail is well-defined and gradually becomes steeper as it approaches the summit ledges. The final viewpoint is the main highlight, offering a broad look over the Lake Titus area and nearby forested terrain.
A key feature of this hike is the two very different parking options, which significantly change the experience:
- Gate parking (lower lot): Park here and walk the gated access road before reaching the trail. This version turns the hike into a longer outing of roughly 4 miles round trip, mostly on an old road before the trail section begins.
- Trailhead parking (farther in): If conditions allow and you continue past the gate, you can reach a small parking area closer to the actual trail start. From here, the hike becomes much shorter at about 1 mile round trip, with a direct climb to the overlook.
By the Numbers
- Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
- Distance: ~1 mile (upper lot) OR ~4 miles (gate parking)
- Elevation gain: ~550–600 ft
Beginner Note:
The upper access road may be rough or seasonally gated. If so, hikers should be prepared for the longer distance hike (appox. 4 miles)
How to get there
Follow Route 30 south out of Malone and continue for about 9 miles to the trailhead on the left. The dirt access road is roughly 1.5 miles to a parking area.
