New York Upstate Rails to Trails Biking
Author: Matt P
Summary: We love to bike ride, or in our case recumbent trike ride, the local “Rails to Trails” pathways. These are old rail lines that have been converted to multi-use pathways. They can be paved or gravel path ways apart from the regular roadway. We love them as they are usually very scenic, often it is like riding through a tunnel of trees.
We use an app called Trail link to find these trails. You can find them all over the area. The trails can range from a mile or two in length to several miles. There is one that even crosses the state. Trail Link also has a website where you can find trails in your area. This LINK shows you some of the trails near Camp Hudson Pines.
Date: Observations and data recorded throughout Summer 2023
Site/location: Varied Locations
Distance from Camp Hudson Pines: Varies
Participants: Adult Male, Adult Female
Length of Observation: Each ride varies in length, completed many over the course of the summer and repeated our favorites
Links: https://www.traillink.com/
Activity: Here is information on two of our favorite trails:
*Warren County Bikeway: This one is close to Camp Hudson Pines. It has end points in both Queensbury and Lake George both of which are about 15 miles from Camp Hudson Pines. We start this one from the Million Dollar beach area of Lake George and ride towards Queensbury. You start out climbing a grade while you are fresh (we are e-bike hold outs, only aged legs’ to propel us) away from Lake George. If you make it to the end or start at the Queensbury end of the trail, be sure to enjoy an ice cream from Sprinkles Ice Cream, our favorite ice cream shop and just off the trail.
*Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. This is our new favorite one to ride, we’ve ridden it twice. It is about an hour drive from Camp Hudson Pines but well worth the trip. This trail takes you past waterfalls, old towns, great restaurants, and a fantastic brewery awaits you at the end. Our last time riding this trail they had a scavenger hunt along the path. You were on the lookout for small art pieces hidden in the trees or on the ground. (They were not hard to see or find). Very fun! My wife loved the berry picking along the way. The sides of the trail are loaded with wild flowers in the spring and berries in the summer. We like to stop at one of the many cafes along the trail for a light lunch. At the end of the trail in Voorheesville are signs telling you about the history of the area and how the rail line served the area. We love to cap off the ride with a stop at Northern Barrell, for a cold one, they even have a great menu for snacks or full meal.
Reflections: We are loving our summer in the Adirondacks and can’t recommend the New York Rails to Trails system enough!
