I road the section of trail between Grand Gorge and Hobart, and it couldn't have been more beautiful. Late summer wildflowers were blooming all along the trail, the sun was warm, the breeze cool, and the scent of hay and freshly cut grass was everywhere. There were a number of muddy/boggy areas left over from Hurricane Irene, but nothing even my hybrid couldn't handle--and since I judge the quality of the ride by the amount of trail I'm wearing at the end, the mud was no issue.

The trail was marked closed just past Stamford, and though I don't typically ignore such signs, I did today, and I'm glad of it. There was no problem until Hobart, where I was planning to stop for lunch anyhow. They were rehabing the trail for a short stretch there and the trail turned to very loose soil and large, loose stones, so I had to get off and walk. It had obviously washed out in the storm. I cut up a lane into "downtown" Hobart for a bite at The Coffee Pot, which was the only open place in town. Great diner fare, though.

To get to Grand Gorge from Windham, I went up to County Road 10 to avoid the section of Route 23 that is closed between Ashland and Prattsville. No problems there.

I HIGHLY recommend riding this trail. I had a grand time and didn't see a soul, if you don't count the cows in one of the bordering pastures.

6/5/2011 I did a short piece from Stamford to Hobart and it was alright with a hybrid bike. However there are short rough patches, some with soft deep sand and some with bumpy stones. It is a lovely area and I will do more on my next trip north. Youker

Loved this trail!
We traveled to the Catskills to hike some peaks and bike this trail. We started in Stamford and biked to Great Gorge as was suggested in the book. The trail was in good shape for a mountain or cross terrain bikes. Touring bikes would have had a harder time with the soft ground, grassy areas, mud and water puddles after the snowy winter and rainy spring. It was May and the wild flowers were prolific along the 12 mile round trip. After returning to Stamford we were able to enjoy a wonderful lunch at T.P.'s Cafe on Railroad Street which is open for brunch and lunch every day but Monday's. There was a wonderful ice-cream place just around the corner on Main St. to sate any sweet desires! Can't wait to come back and do the other part of the trail!
A great reason to visit the Catskills!
Laura Enos

I did the Stamford to Bloomville section, an out-and-back of about 25 miles. I parked at the old Bloomville station, and was the only car in the lot on a Sunday afternoon, which I found immediately appealing. The treil follows Route 23 and the Scoharie Creek, which is too rocky and low for scads of tubes or rafts, so there is virtually no tourist traffic on the water. If you like riding in relative solitude as I do, this trail is for you. The towns along the route are quiet, forgotten farming hamlets of a couple dozen houses....a real step back in time. In the 3+ hours I spent on the trail, I passed 4 other bikers and 3 hikers. I gorged on black raspberries at severeal spots, as well as some wild grapes (muscadines maybe ?). In some places, the smell of wildflowers and/or cedar is overpowering. Since there is virtually no traffic on Rt. 23 in this area, ther were no fumes to detract from those nature provided. Only a couple of spots where the trail was slightly degraded, but for most of its length you could ride an old school 10 speed without getting stuck. Be prepared with your own drinks and food, since there is almost nothing up there.

Beautiful, calm, rural trail through pristine watershed land in Delaware County NY. Portion of trail from Bloomville to South Kortright (along NY Route 10) is very rural, best to park at trailhead in Bloomville and walk eastbound. No services along the trail. From S. Kortright towards Stamford, trail passes through backyards, but local people are very friendly. Diner in Hobart.

Parking at old railroad station in Stamford, walk eastward (past a few stores, streets) gets very rural again. Overall, trail a fantastic place to hike and bike. This trail is one of the reasons we moved from NYC to Delaware County.

I loved this trail. I have only traveled it from Stamford to Grand Gorge and back, so I can't speak for all of it, but what I've seen thus far is just incredibly gorgeous. It's a real privilege, getting to pass through the back yards of working farm land. There are pastures and hills along this trail that resemble Andrew Wyeth paintings - just stunning.

I do need to respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said the trail should be paved. Part of the fun and charm of riding it was the bumpy, varied surface. I can see that on a wet day it would be difficult if not impossible to ride, but otherwise I see no problem with the condition of the trail. I like riding over gravel, dirt and the occasional weed or wildflower. It helps me feel like I'm riding in nature.

"I've ridden this trail many times in the past several years, and have no complaints other than that there's no parking in Grand Gorge which is closest to me. I've never been comfortable parking there because I don't know how the locals feel about it. I have started in Bloomville, (nice store, friendly people) and ridden to Grand Gorge and back. Maybe someone can let us know if it's cool to park in the lot for the senior citizen center.

It's just a wonderful trail, lots to see and experience.

Another poster mentioned another trail, it actually starts in Grand Gorge and goes to Roxbury. (Not in Bloomville - that would be a hike.)
It's a relatively flat trail, only one small hill along the way which is very short.
"

"The Catskill Scenic Trail is just gorgeous. One gets great views of the Catskill Mountains. It is a well marked trail with signs every time one crosses a road, along with mileage that lets you know how far it is to the end of the trail. This trail runs from Grand Gorge to Bloomville. When I reached Bloomville I was told by a farmer I talked to that facing the end of the trail at Bloomville across the road is another six miles of trail to Roxbury. I did not do this part of the trail.
This was one of the most enjoyable and scenic trails I have ever been on."

I biked this trail in July of 2005 and found it in disrepair. Who maintains this trail? The trail was overgrown in many places with some nasty potholes and an honest-to-goodness ditch somebody had the bright idea to dig straight across the path. Sometimes I had the feeling I was riding on someone(
I biked this path during the horse shoe festival in Stamford. The trail led right between the tap-dancing stage and the audience ! I felt I was on display !!
Pave this trail with asphalt and it will be hugely popular!
The scenery is really quite pretty.

"On August 9, we rode the Catskill Scenic Trail from the trailhead in Bloomville to the former Ulster and Delaware station in Stamford, a distance of approximately 12.8 miles. Finding the trailhead was easy - just look for an octagonal green and yellow sign on the highway just past the General Store in Bloomville on the right. Parking is just across the highway.

The trail surface was very good - a bit bumpy in spots, but no problems with standing water, even though it has rained a lot this summer. The trail gains a few hundred feet in elevation on the way to Stamford, but we hardly noticed it until we turned around and headed back. Before we did, we stopped for lunch at a nice ice cream shop (Greenbriar Farms) just up the hill and around the corner from the Stamford station. It was inexpensive and very friendly.

Scenery on the trail was great - some open cycling and some in the trees with good views of the surrounding mountains, especially near Bloomville in the first few miles. There are several nicely constructed bridges over the west branch of the Delaware River, which at this point is a very small stream, not like the large river down in NJ, where we live.

All in all, it's a great trail. You'll want to use a hybrid or mountain bike - use of a road bike would be difficult."

"I did the whole trail (and then some) from Grand Gorge to Bloomville. I parked at Grand Gorge on Bruce Porn Road (not an official trailhead parking but it saves driving to Stamford from the east). Anyway, I did the 19 miles out to Bloomville to the parking lot and then made a u-turn, biked a bit to a bench and had a nice lunch right by a creek.

Nice trail, nice surface, only a few wet spots and some soft dirt near Grand Gorge. You will find some riding in the trees which provide shade but there is still a decent section of open field riding as you pass through farms. Sunscreen and bug repellent are highly recommended in the summer months. However, the benches that are there are generally in the shaded sections and make a nice spot for breaks.

There are two old railroad stations you can view, one in Stamford and one in Grand Gorge and lots of farms to ride through with horses, cows, chickens, rabbits.

All in all a nice bike ride and a pleasent trip."

This trail is one of my favorites in NY. Dave Riordan of the Catskill Revitalization Corp is a great resource and the trail is simply great.

"Spend a day on he Catskill Scenic Trail! The trail is one of the most rural trails I’ve ridden, yet easy to get to. My daughter and I brought our mountain bike tandem to the trail. We started in Stamford and rode to Bloomville, then returned. The surface is suited to mountain bikes and hybrids. The absence of pavement on the trail fit the surroundings perfectly.

A good portion of the trail ran through a canopy formed by trees on either side. Even in mid-afternoon we cycled long sections of the trail in the shade. In some sections, quite suddenly, the trail broke from the canopy into the valley with views extending for miles. One moment we cycled a shady tree-lined path and the next in wide fields dotted with cows and distant farm houses. The effect was quite surprising - almost like riding a different trail!

Along the way we stopped at several trestles to look in the streams below. As in other reviews we found all bridges and trestles are well maintained, and most of the path is in excellent condition as well. (If you stop at the steel trestles to view the streams, give room to the few wasp nests hidden in the trestle webs.)

The trail is truly rural. We saw perhaps a dozen people all afternoon. Except for short sections near towns we cycled out of sight of anything commercial. Cyclists should consider bringing the water and food they need with them, unless they want to divert off the trail. Be sure to bring along spare tube, patch kit, pump and tools. It’s a long walk back to town… Pack a bit of insect repellant too!

Another unusual feature of the trail is the gradual incline from Bloomville to Stamford. Most trails built on railroad beds are virtually flat. The rise on this trail is noticeable but certainly not unpleasant. Leave a bit more time cycling back to Stamford from Bloomville if that’s your return trip.

We started at Stamford at 12:30 and returned to our starting point at 4:00. Along the way we dawdled to enjoy the scenery and detoured off the trail into Bloomville, South Kortright and Hobart. On the return trip from Bloomville my daughter remarked how the scenery seemed new even though we retraced the trail - opposite of what we expected. We could have made the trip in less time, but this trail you won’t want to rush. Slow down to discover the subtleties which make this trail different from the urban and suburban rail-trails.

Our only disappointment: we didn’t have time to ride the Stamford-to-Grand Gorge section.

After putting the tandem on the car, we stopped at Mac-a-Doodles Ice Cream Stand just a few blocks from the village parking lot.

Related web sites: www.stamfordny.com; www.innsmart.com (for B&Bs, look under Delaware County, then for Hobart, South Kortright or Stamford); and www.stamfordvoice.com/Business/Places_to_Stay/places_to_stay.html

Along the way: Bloomville -- Only one small general store, didn’t see any hours posted; Hobart -- Village grocery, small general store, gas station/mini-mart, pizza shop; Stamford -- Good sized village; restaurants, mini-marts, bank, auto repair, pharmacy.

Parking: We found the easiest place for us to park in Stamford was the village lot on Main Street (Route 23), next to O’Connor Pharmacy. Turn right out of the lot onto Main, then right on Delaware, down a short hill one block to the trail. "

"I debated for several weeks whether any rail trail could be worth a two and one half-hour drive from my home to its closest trailhead. The Catskill Scenic Trail’s 12.4 mile long Stamford to Bloomville segment was most definitely worth the trip!

I found the trail surface and adjacent right-of-way along the entire stretch from Stamford to Bloomville in excellent condition. The ballast and light gravel surface was completely dry and free of debris. Foliage along the right-of-way was cut back to permit unencumbered travel by two bicyclists wishing to ride side by side. Bridges with firm and smooth surfaces are in place over every water crossing.

Views along the trail the day of my visit consisted mostly of rolling mountains, quaint town centers, quiet residential neighborhoods, and expansive farms. The vistas alone were worth my five hour round trip car ride!

Parking is available at the old railroad station on Railroad Avenue in Stamford, which now serves as the Catskill Revitalization Corporation’s office, at the trailhead on Route 10 near River Road in Bloomville, and at several public parking lots in the small hamlet of Hobart.

Although the trail also extends 7 miles east from Stamford to Grand Gorge, there is no parking available anywhere near the Grand Gorge trailhead. Also, the trail terminates on the outskirts of Grand Gorge right alongside a busy highway. As a result, the Trail’s Stamford to Grand Gorge segment isn’t as popular as its leg from Stamford to Bloomville.

Unfortunately, there are several pretty busy at-grade road crossings between Stamford and Bloomville. Parents with young children should exercise appropriate caution.

Regardless of the limited popularity and accessibility of “Stamford to Grand Gorge”, and the multiple at-grade street crossings, this trail is worth visiting if you live within a “reasonable” driving distance. If you’re unsure about whether you can drive in, visit the trail, and drive home all within one day, book a motel room for one night; you’ll be pleased that you did.

Footnote: I imagine that views from the trail during peak fall foliage season might be even better than they were during my early summer visit."

"WE rode a tandem and did about 28 miles. The slight grade sneaks up on you after 20 miles or so,especially since the weight of the two riders digs in where it is soft. It would'nt happen on a single. We loved the ride. Stop at the old train stop and the one room schoolhouse."