Moriah Challenge

The Moriah Challenge is on!

To complete the "Moriah Challenge," hikers must complete all four local Champlain Area Trails (CATS) hikes, which include Belfry Mountain, Big Hollow/Coot Hill, Cheney Mountain, and Crowfoot Pond trails.

Anyone who successfully completes the challenge and submits their information will receive a commemorative embroidered patch to celebrate their accomplishment. To claim a patch, hikers should provide the Moriah Chamber of Commerce with the dates the trails were hiked.

The Moriah Chamber is accepting donations for the challenge patches, with $10 each suggested to cover our costs. 

Successful challenge participants should bring their hike information and donation to the Moriah Chamber of Commerce office at 4317 Main Street in Port Henry to claim their patch. Alternatively, the patches can be arranged by emailing us at moriahchamber@gmail.com and a confirmation letter and a patch will be mailed.

The Moriah Challenge is a family-friendly event designed for adults and children with limited hiking experience, and can be completed in a short amount of time.  

Following are brief descriptions of the hikes that comprise the challenge:

Belfry Mountain Trail
The trail is an easy, quick hike that rewards hikers with views of the high peaks of the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains of Vermont, plus the Champlain Valley, then Belfry Mountain. The trail also features a fire tower. Belfry Mountain Trail is a short 0.35 mile hike along a gravel road with spectacular views.

Big Hollow/Coot Hill Trail

Hikers can walk along an un-maintained portion of Lang Road or drive the rough road to an old cemetery. From the cemetery, the hike is about a quarter mile to an amazing overlook. This 0.5 mile round trip will rewards hikers with stunning views of Big Hollow and a panoramic vista of the Champlain Valley.

Cheney Mountain Trail
The trail is located on property owned by the Town of Moriah. Views from lookouts along side trails near the 1347 foot summit include the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east and some of the Adirondack High Peaks to the west. The total round trip of this hike is two miles.

Crowfoot Pond Trail

The six mile trail is relatively flat with only a slight gain in elevation. This old forest road turned foot trail starts to climb through an evergreen forest as it passes over the low shoulder of Stiles Hill on the left. The trail reaches the pond and passes beyond it. The trail eventually ends at private property on the north Shore of Crowfoot Pond, marking the point for the return hike.