Harlem Valley Rail Trail:
New York
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Description:
The proposed 43-mile long trail has six sections. Trails sections 2, 3 and 5 are open to the public. Sections 1, 4 and 6 are unbuilt.

Section 2 is 4.5 miles long and runs from Mechanic Street in Amenia, to Coleman Station in the Town of North East. It contains a marvelous wetland located between the two Sharon Station Road crossings. Beavers near the wetland act as trailside lumberjacks, lodge builders and dam makers.

Section 3 officially opened on June 22, 2000. It is 3.6 miles long and runs from Coleman Station in the Town of North East, to Main Street in Millerton. It brings the trail in to the village of Millerton and completes an 8.2 mile link between downtown Amenia and downtown Millerton. Section 3 has six bridges, all of them fully and tastefully reconstructed. There are three picturesque rock cuts that in the summer feel about 15 degrees cooler than anywhere else on the trail.

Section 5 is 4.0 miles long and runs from Undermountain Road in Ancram, to Taconic State Park Entrance in Copake Falls. Section 5 is more of a deep woods trail, although it is by no means closed in by trees. It almost hugs the base of the South Taconic Mountains to the east and is bordered by agricultural lands at times to either side. Near the northern end, there are wonderful views of the Catskill Mountains to the west. Natural attractions include a vernal pool during wet periods, an ancient broken cottonwood tree, and a patch of weedy wildflowers that attracts many butterflies. This segment crosses over two streams, and rattlesnakes and black bears are occasionally reported.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Amenia trailhead: The trail parking lot is on Mechanic Street. If the lot is full, return toward Route 343 and use the Town Hall parking lot on the right (east) side of Mechanic Street.

Millerton area parking: Route 22 to the traffic light in Millerton. Turn east on to Route 44. Designated parking areas for rail trail users are planned, but for now please park on side streets, and avoid parking in the parking lot of Taro's Restaurant immediately next to the trailhead. Or park on Century Blvd, only a few hundred feet from the trailhead.

Section 5 is best accessed from the parking lot on Undermountain Road or near the entrance booth to Taconic State Park in Copake Falls.

See the Trail Website for more detailed directions.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Southern Part of the Trail- June 5th 2010
By pilot8532 on June 09, 2010
Patty & I have been on this section three times in the last two years. Our ride this past weekend was good. The trail seems to have been work on over the last year. This paved trail was in great condition,no holes or roots growing this time. The Millerton to Amenia ride takes about 1 hour each way. If you have not been on this section its a real nice ride. Lots of wildlife to see. We have been on the northern section and its only 4.5 miles long, short trip but worth it.When in Millerton there are some nice restaurants where you can have lunch.If you choose to stay over have dinner at the Woodlands in Lakeville CT. Wonderful place, be sure to make reservations.
Sections 1, 2 & 3 are open
By Fibber on June 01, 2010
While the trail description indicates that only sections 2 & 3 are open, the Southern-most segment from Wassiac to Amenia is indeed complete, bringing the Dutchess section to a total of around 11 miles. There is ample parking at Wassiac station (free on weekends, metered during the week).
Very nice...but getting bumpy (also Collinsville, CT and Cheshire, CT)
By Jets1627 on September 15, 2009
My wife and I traveled this trail over Labor Day weekend (2009). We've been on it 4-5 times before over the past few years and really like the scenery. She bikes, I roller blade. We do the Amenia, NY north section...maybe a 6-8 mile stretch.

This last time I most definitely noted tree-root bumps on the trail at almost every section...not to say they are constant...just that they make their presence known quite often now.

I throw this out there for all bladers because you really have to be alert to the bumps. Any blader knows full well what these bumps can do to your nice afternoon...not to mention your body.

As an aside, we also did the Collinsville (CT) and Cheshire (CT) trails that same weekend. Collinsville is almost useless now for roller blading for the same reason...the tree-root bumps there are downright treacherous and unavoidable. MAJOR work needs to be done on this trail. Re Cheshire...it was definitely the best of the 3 trails, but also had some root bumps (plus, there are a few sections where the paving is very rough...again, roller bladers will notice this, bikers will not).

There you have it...a few up-to-date observations.
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