Explore the best rated trails in Schenectady, NY. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Zim Smith Mid-County Trail and Spring Run Trail. With more than 30 trails covering 511 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We did 11 miles of this trail. We went from Nassau Lake to Valatie. It was mostly flat. It did go on a road for a short section. There was ONE bench the whole way and no bathrooms. Valatie did have several places to eat. Please be aware that many are closed on Tuesday, so that limits the selection somewhat. Pizza ab Mexican we’re closed. Deli and diner were open. Overall it was worth the trip.
June 2023
This trail is second to none! Rode from Lanesboro to Adams-- flat, clean great scenery. Many turtles, water birds, and spotted a deer. Considering a return in the fall as I am sure the color is amazing.
Starting in Colonie in the parking lot on rt9 it was a great ride headed towards Schenectady. Smooth paved surface. A little on a local road but minimal car traffic and clearly marked. Plenty of bench’s and stopping areas along the way.
The key to enjoying this trail is knowing what to expect. It is a packed gravel trail that is a little washed out in some places. They did pave some of the hills, too. Since it is gravel, there isn’t as much traffic as a lot of the other rail trails in the area. The Waterford part ends at the lock. The lock welcome center has restrooms when it is open. When we stopped there on a Sunday, they had live music and food. We saw lots of dragon flies, chipmunks and other wildlife on the ride. The Cohoes side is not as well maintained as the Halfmoon side. The openings to cross the road are a bit narrow and the signs are covered in graffiti. The Cohoes side could use a face lift, but I would not skip it.
Road the trail last week end-to-end as an out and back from the great southern trailhead parking area on Crane Avenue (bathroom). Trail is in excellent condition and a great ride.
Nice trail, compacted gravel. Parallel to canel and train tracks. Rather exposed (no shade). Cute little town (Fort Ann) with a great brewery.
Parked at 1007 Kinderhook St. and headed down towards Stuyvesant Falls. Nice ride. I then rode back to my car for lunch before heading toward North Chatham. Pavement in good shape both ways and I enjoyed the scenery. Will definitely ride it again in the fall.
We rode from Castleton University to the end of the trail at the New York state line, and back 5/2023. We were able to get our Burley Bark Ranger (dog) bike trailer through the roadway gates with some difficulty, backing up, straightening, trying again. For several miles, this happens every 5 to 7 minutes. Then it gets better. I’m not sure if a two seat child trailer would make it through. There is a Poultney River loop trail that can be accessed from the rail trail, but it’s definitely not for bikes towing trailers like we do. Poultney is very cute, and we saw a pizza shop, and creemee stand there. The surface is great for slightly knobby tires. Bucolic farmland, quiet, sunny ride. One of the multiple snowmobile bridges crosses a river, and it’s a great spot for a shaded picnic and tossing a stick for the dog.
Valatie to Nassau in the early morning en route to northern NY. Beautifully maintained well-marked trail along water, past farms and through woods. Parking at several locations was easy to find. Looking forward to returning to do other sections of the trail.
Was not expecting trail to be as nice as it was. Rode from southern trailhead to Millerton about 12 miles one way. Great views of farms / hills / streams/ wetlands all along a nicely paved trail. Planning to go back and complete the remaining 13 miles north of Millerton. And by the way thank you to Millerton for the excellent bathroom facilities!
Did a small section from Jordan to Solvay. Nice Ride about 14.5 miles on a cooler sunny day. Muddy in a couple spots. Hope to complete more sections soon ¿¿¿
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