If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, consider exploring one of the 25 rail trails located throughout New York. These trails offer everything from stunning scenery to opportunities for biking, hiking and more. So lace up your shoes and get ready to enjoy some fresh air!
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Albany County Rail Trail
The Albany County Rail Trail is a rail trail in New York. It’s a converted railroad line that’s now used for biking, running, and walking. It starts at the Helderberg Escarpment in the Town of Berne and ends at the Port of Albany in the City of Albany.
The rail trail is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk. It’s free to use, and there are parking lots available at both ends. There are also restrooms, water fountains, and picnic areas along the trail. The trail is paved for its entire length, making it perfect for biking, running, or walking.
Allegheny River Valley Trail
The Allegheny River Valley Trail is a beautiful rail trail in New York state. It runs for nearly 60 miles along the Allegheny River, from Buffalo to North Tonawanda. The trail is mostly flat and easy to follow, making it a great choice for beginner and experienced cyclists alike. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to enjoy the scenery or grab a bite to eat, and the views of the river are simply breathtaking. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely day trip or a longer adventure, the Allegheny River Valley Trail is sure to please.
Auburn Trail
Auburn Trail is a Rail Trail in New york. It’s a great place to walk, run, or bicycle. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular trails in the state!
Canalway Trail
The Canalway Trail is a five-foot-wide multi-use shoulder trail adjacent to the New York State Canal System that extends nearly 500 miles across upstate New York. It is part of an interconnected network of trails and greenways that are being developed in partnership between state, local, and private organizations. When complete, the system will total more than 750 miles in length and connect hundreds of communities along the canals.
The Canalway Trail is primarily used for walking, biking, rollerblading, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. It is open to all nonmotorized uses except motorized vehicles such as cars and ATVs, which are prohibited.
Cato–Fair Haven Trail
The Cato–Fair Haven Trail is a scenic rail trail in New york. It spans a distance of 22 miles and runs through the picturesque Finger Lakes region. The trail offers stunning views of Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake, as well as rolling hills, meadows, and forests. There are also several interesting historical sites along the trail, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing day trip or an extended hike.
Catskill Scenic Trail
The Catskill Scenic Trail is a popular rail trail located in New York. The trail offers stunning views of the Catskill Mountains and is popular with hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. The trail is 32 miles long and features several quaint towns along the way.
Dutchess Rail Trail
The Dutchess Rail Trail is a multi-use recreational trail located in New York. The trail runs for 13.1 miles (21.1 km) along an abandoned rail corridor between the villages of Millerton and Rhinebeck. It is used by hikers, joggers, cyclists, rollerbladers, and horseback riders.
The Dutchess Rail Trail was originally built as part of the New York Harlem Railroad in 1851. The railroad served as a link between New York City and Albany and was one of the first railroads in America. Due to declining ridership, the railroad ceased operations in 1976 and the track was abandoned.
Genesee Valley Greenway
The Genesee Valley Greenway is a rail trail in New York. It spans 41 miles and connects the cities of Rochester and Mount Morris. The trail follows the path of the abandoned Genesee Valley Canal and Genesee Valley Railway. It’s open for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.
The Genesee Valley Greenway is a great place to explore the natural beauty of New York State. The trail passes through forests, fields, and wetlands, and there are many opportunities for wildlife viewing. There are also several historic sites along the route, including canal locks, bridges, and railway stations.
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is a 22-mile long multi-use trail that runs along the former Harlem Division of the New York Central Railroad. The trail is open to hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and in winter, snowmobilers.
The trailhead for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail is located in Millerton, NY and the trail winds its way through the stunning Harlem Valley countryside before ending in Phenicie Park in Copake Falls, NY. Along the way, there are several interesting places to explore includingTaconic State Park, Bash Bish Falls State Park, and historic farmsteads dating back to the 18th century.
High Line
The High Line is a rail trail in New York City. It was originally a railroad line that ran aboveground on an elevated structure between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, in the West Side of Manhattan. The railroad was closed down in 1980 and later converted into a park.
The High Line has been extremely popular since it opened to the public in 2009. More than 5 million people visit it each year, making it one of the most visited parks in New York City. The park has also won numerous awards, including the prestigious Design of the Year award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Hojack Trail Cayuga
The Hojack Trail is a rail trail in New York. It’s a great place to bike, walk, or jog, and it offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The trail spans about 14 miles, and it’s perfect for people of all ages and abilities. There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way, and the trail is well-maintained year-round. So if you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity to do in New York, be sure to check out the Hojack Trail!
Hojack Trail Webster
The Hojack Trail Webster is a rail trail in New York. It’s located in Monroe County and runs for about 5 miles. The trail is open to walkers, runners, cyclists, and horseback riders. It’s a great place for a peaceful stroll or a vigorous workout, and there are plenty of scenic spots to enjoy along the way. There’s also an interpretive center where you can learn more about the history of the area.
Hudson Valley Rail Trail
The Hudson Valley Rail Trail is a rail trail in New York. It’s a 26-mile long former railroad corridor that’s been converted into a multi-use path for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. The trail begins near the village of Millerton in Dutchess County and ends near the town of Highland in Ulster County.
The Hudson Valley Rail Trail is a beautiful and scenic trail that winds its way through the rural countryside of the Hudson Valley. It’s perfect for those who love to hike, bike, or ride horses. And because it’s such a long trail, it’s perfect for those who want to do an extended hike or bike ride.
Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail
The Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail is a rail trail in New York. It’s a beautiful, scenic trail that offers incredible views of the Long Island Sound. The trail is perfect for biking, hiking, or just taking a relaxing stroll.
Mohawk Hudson Bike/Hike Trail
The Mohawk Hudson Bike/Hike Trail is a beautiful rail trail in New York state. It runs for a total of 36 miles, from Albany all the way to Schenectady. The trail is lovely in any season, but particularly so in autumn, when the leaves are changing color. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to rest or have a picnic, and the views are simply mesmerizing. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re ever in the area!
North County Trailway
The North County Trailway is a rail trail in New York. It’s a 22-mile path that stretches from Somers to Brewster, and it’s perfect for biking, running, and walking. The trail is mostly flat, and it offers beautiful views of the Hudson River.
Orange Heritage Trailway
The Orange Heritage Trailway is a gorgeousRail Trail in New york that spans for about 26 miles. It’s perfect for running, biking, or just enjoying a scenic walk with beautiful views of the Hudson Valley. From variegated landscapes to bubbling brooks and creeks, the trail promises an invigorating experience for all its visitors!
Oswego Recreational Trail
The Oswego Recreational Trail is a 6.5-mile linear rail trail in New York that stretches from the city of Oswego to the village of Hastings. It is New York’s first and only Certified Gold Level Rail Trail by the rail-trail organization American Trails. The trail was built on an abandoned industrial railroad line that once served as a link between Oswego and Syracuse.
The trail features scenic views of Lake Ontario, the Oswego River, and rolling farmland. It is popular with hikers, joggers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers. In winter, the trail is groomed for snowmobiling.
Poughkeepsie Bridge
The Poughkeepsie Bridge is a scenic rail trail that spans across New York State. It’s a popular spot for hiking and biking, and offers stunning views of the Hudson River. The bridge was originally built in the 19th century, and was used by trains until 1974. These days, it’s a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Putnam County Trailway
Putnam County Trailway is a beautiful, scenic rail trail located in New York. The trail stretches for over 13 miles and runs through some of the most picturesque countryside in the state. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Hudson River, Catskill Mountains and Bear Mountain along the way.
The Putnam County Trailway is popular with hikers, cyclists and horse riders, and is a great place to come for a peaceful stroll or an invigorating workout. There are several access points along the route, so you can start your adventure from anywhere that suits you.
Rutland Trail
Rutland Trail is a rail trail in New York that spans 22 miles from the southern to northern tip of the state. It’s a popular spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and offers stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains. The trail is well-marked and relatively flat, making it a great option for families or beginners. In the winter, it’s a perfect spot for cross-country skiing. Whether you’re looking for a day hike or a longer backpacking trip, Rutland Trail is sure to please.
South County Trailway
South County Trailway is a rail trail in New York state. It runs for 13.1 miles (21.1 km) between the village of Rye in Westchester County and the town of Cortlandt in southern Westchester County. The trailway is part of the county’s parks system and is open to pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters, and horses.
The trailway was built on the right-of-way of the former Putnam Branch of the New York Central Railroad. The branch line was built in 1873 and operated until 1958 when it was abandoned by Conrail. In 1984, Westchester County acquired much of the right-of-way for use as a rail trail.
Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail
The Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail is a rail trail in New York. It starts in the town of Walden and ends in the town of Wallkill. The trail is open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. It is maintained by the Orange County Department of Transportation.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a rail trail located in the U.S. state of New York. The rail trail, which is paved for its entire length, begins at the Walkill River in Gardiner and ends at Cooks Falls in the town of Rosendale. At just over 14 miles (23 km) long, it is one of the longest rail trails in New York.
The rail trail was constructed on an abandoned railroad right-of-way and opened to the public in October 2000. It passes through the villages of Gardiner, Modena, New Paltz, Rosendale, and Kingston and traverses a variety of terrain including forests, open fields, and wetlands.
Zim Smith Trail
The Zim Smith Trail is a rail trail located in the town of Corinth in Saratoga County, New York. It is 8.5 miles long and runs from Glens Falls to Lake Luzerne. The trail is open to hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders.
The Zim Smith Trail was opened in 1995 and was named in honor of Zim Smith, a local businessman who was instrumental in getting the trail built.
Takeaway
The 25 rail trails profiled in this blog post are perfect for exploring the natural beauty of New York State. From the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes to the rushing waters of Niagara Falls, these scenic trails offer something for everyone. Hiking, biking, running, and even cross-country skiing are all popular activities on these trails. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore some of New York’s most beautiful landscapes!