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Park at Tannersville Lake - (also known as Rip Van Winkle Lake).
On Route 23A, at stop light, turn onto Depot Street which runs into County Route 16.
I love it so much
Out of shape mom and two energetic kids enjoyed this very shady trail on a summer weekday morning. Slightly uphill heading from Bloomer Rd to Tannersville but I barely had to pedal downhill back to Bloomer. Creek burbling beside. Only a few other people. Cannot emphasize how great the tree canopy was when the sun was blazing.
A very slight gradient standard width rail trail which makes for a nice quiet walk or bike ride. Stays 10+ degrees cooler due to shading and because it follows a creek. A short easy ride or moderate length walk. The two times i have used it it has been relatively void of people.
I rode this last November, during a warm dry Sunday afternoon. It's a fine trail. At one end is a closed ski slope and lodge I think should become a mountain bike downhill business. The other end just seems to ... end on a road. Between is some nice mountain pass, at one point along a creek that wants to eat the trail, so there was a chainlink fence. If you're in the area, go visit this trail and the charming village of Tannersville.
I parked on Clum Hill and rode to Bloomer. It's relatively flat but there is a slight incline C to B, making it easier if you start at Bloomer. Rides next to a stream which is nice. Short little ride that's nice if you have little time or with kids.
Trail is not marked well and has little parking so finding it was a bit of a guess. But it was worth it. It is a slight incline from Bloomer Rd towards Cortina Valley Rd. My 7 year old did well only a day after learning to ride a two wheeler. Bonus was the Rip Van Winkle park & pond about 2/3 of the way. We took a riding break and played on the playground for a bit before finishing the trail. The lake said no swimming, beach closed. It looked like perhaps permenatly closed. Great first "mountain" biking trip for my girls. Just long enough.
I had my 3 boys ages 8, 5, and 3 (in a trailer) on this bike path. It was in great shape and followed a stream most of the way. A mostly shaded ride on a hot day was enjoyed by finishing off the ride by playing in the stream and skipping rocks. There is also an excellent playground at the parking area. It is a great location to spend an entire day. I would highly recommend this trail to anyone who is trying to get some kids out riding their bikes and looking to enjoy the great outdoors!!!!!!!!!!!
The bike trail is a beautiful as it borders a stream and would be perfect to take your familiy on a ride EXCEPT for one thing.....the motorized vehicles. Although the trail is supposed to prohibit motorized vehicles, it does not. Yesterday my family and I (kids ages 5 &8) had to stop our bikes 4 times to allow 4 wheelers and motor bikes to go by us. Unfortunately a few of them were not traveling at safe speeds. It was very unsafe for my children and I would hesitate to take my family back until the police start patrolling the trail ( I did stop by to chat with the police on my way home ).
"Tannersville, New York, is a very popular winter vacation and weekend destination for New York City metropolitan area ski enthusiasts. In the height of ski season, the town is bustling with tourists and seasonal labor. In spring, summer and fall the town’s quaint streets and business establishments are virtually empty. I visited this trail on a beautiful Easter Sunday and encountered only three other trail users along the 2.7-mile route.
The trail’s dry, hard, and flat surface is ideally suited for bicycles or foot traffic of any sort. Wooden bridges are in position over all water crossings and protective fences have been strategically placed in areas to prevent trail users from falling down steep embankments. There is one street crossing along the entire route (South Main Street).
Primary views consist of wooded areas, several streams, a golf course, residential Tannersville, and a lake open to local residents in the summer for swimming. Interestingly, there is a New York City Department of Environmental Protection water treatment plant along the route as well. My assumption is that Tannersville is located near a primary source of water for the City.
The best place to park is at Rip Van Winkle Lake, on Lake Road off of South Main Street. During the summer months rest room facilities and a concession stand are available for public use; the trail cuts right through a picnic area adjoining this lake.
This is a wonderful trail to experience if you’re visiting the Catskill Mountains area of New York State.
Enjoy!"
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