The High Peaks Hostel is amazing and it's all because of the owners. This was my first experience staying at a hostel and it was so great it almost makes me want to open my own hostel somewhere closer to home in Michigan. I spent a night there before backpacking the High Peaks region just on it's doorstep. The owner even let me borrow his personal bear canister and helped me plan my backpacking trip with inside info of the region's trails.

The beds are clean and comfortable; showers are hot; breakfast is one of the best ones you'll ever eat in your life; the price is very affordable even for a solo backpacker on summer vacation; everything in Lake Placid is only a few minutes walk away... Plus the owners are fantastic, really friendly, and provide inside knowledge for your travel (especially for outdoor activities). I wouldn't stay anywhere else within a day's drive of the High Peaks Hostel. The mountain views from the breakfast kitchen are great to wake up to. more