Explore the best rated trails in Amsterdam, NY. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Zim Smith Mid-County Trail and Spring Run Trail. With more than 20 trails covering 424 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Very well maintained, safe and smooth for rollerblading. Really enjoyed it ¿
Just did about 14 miles on this trail. Started in Niverville and headed south to Valatie, then back north to North Chatham and back to Niverville. Surface is very good and well maintained. It is obvious the volunteers who take care of this trail do a great job (thanks, Ron! Just met you today). There is some non-trail surface (sidewalk, shared road) but very little and not much of a distraction from the beauty of the rest of the trail. Well worth a light rain to get wonderful fall color photos.
On August 12, 2022 I rode my bicycle on the Erie Canalway trail from Port Byron to the Erie Canal Park and Museum in Camillus (which is on the trail) and back, approximately 19 miles each way. It was a dry, sunny day in the 80’s. The surface was mostly crushed gravel and packed earth with a few stretches on asphalt in the breakdown lane of some local roads where the trail diverged from the canal. The condition was good to excellent except for the final short stretch near Camillus which was unacceptable because erosion in two areas created the dangerous possibility of falling into the canal and because the trail was too narrow for two bikes in opposite directions to safely pass each other. For this small section, I recommend riding on the local road on the other side of the concrete barrier dividing this path from the local road. The surface on this local road was only fair secondary to potholes and cracks in the asphalt.
The museum in the Camillus Erie Canal Park is open 12-4 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and is open from 1-5 PM on Sunday. Most sections of the Erie Canalway Trail from Port Byron to Camillus run along a non-navigable branch of the Erie Canal which is very shallow and is overgrown with algae or cattail plants or is filled in with dirt. Other sections go through wooded areas, rural areas, farmland and the small town of Weedsport.
Follows the electric lines. Not very shady and not too much to see. A few lakes here and there but quite average.
My wife and I, fit and in our 60s, took this trail for a pleasure jaunt on a Sunday afternoon in late July. It was a sunny, 90-degree day. Based on prior reviews, we decided to start in Stamford and head southwest toward Bloomville.
We had the trail just about entirely to ourselves, passing just a four cyclists in the couple of hours we were on the trail. Despite the heat, the ride was very comfortable, with lots of shade and a nice breeze.
The terrain was varied just enough to keep us alert--occasional gravel patches, some grassy areas early in the trip--but nothing alarming or difficult to manage. I ride a 10-speed bike (not a mountain bike) and had no problems--it was pretty smooth sailing.
Other reviewers have mentioned motorized vehicles. We got on the trail just as a half-dozen retirees were steering their all terrain vehicles off the trail in Stamford. That was the last we saw or heard of anything motorized.
We didn't quite make it to Bloomville, but turned around just west of South Kortright. A lovely ride--varied scenery, lots of shade, lovely birdsongs--couldn't have asked for anything better.
Absolutely beautiful asphalt trail mostly covered by canopy of trees, temp 10*cooler than in the sun. Here the end of July. Parked in the Million Dollar beach parking lot $10 and a great place to leave the car for the day¿¿rode around town, enjoying the lake and lunch afterward.
Road stretch of trail from Canastota to Route 290 trail head and return. Total 28.6 miles. Trail in great condition but stretches of Erie Canal are still standing/ stagnant algae. It was 90+ degrees. Lovely gift of a case of cold water at 290 trail head. The surprise gift was much needed by riders/runners. Posting this to keep track of completed sections as I don’t see that feature on trail link. Perhaps it will be added.
Really enjoyed my ride on the trail. Enough shade to keep me cool on this July day. Nice broad trail, nicely paved, minimal road crossings.Rode in the morning and there were plenty of joggers, walkers and other bikers to make me (single female rider) comfortable. Only complaint would be that not one biker called out or rang a bell to alert me of their presence- I think I probably need a “rear view mirror” installed on my bike for future rides. Overall a great ride- I ended up only doing 8.78 from the Oak street lot to the Halfmoon lot. There is an additional 3 miles but my ride was waiting so I didn’t get a chance to check it out this time!
Twice I had to drive an hour one-way to ride this trail in two separate excursions. There are two good places to park. The best is a huge lot at 1007 Kinderhook St, Kinderhook, NY 12184, across the street from a bagel place and a bicycle shop right on the trail. The other good place to park is near Nassau Lake, a place I had never heard of previously: 221 County Road 7, Nassau, NY 12123.
The previous comments were all correct in their reviews. The southern section of the trail has stunning scenery. (Although my first day ride had heavy winds from the west. When I rode past the cow barns I was overwhelmed by the concentrated odor that was collected at one barn end and forced out the other.) Be careful when going north through the intersection in North Chatham. There is a small parking area across the road and I thought the trail went up Bunker Hill Rd; it does not. The trail veers right, but there are good signs for riders paying attention.
From Nassau Lake, my second excursion I rode south to N. Chatham and then back all the way to the end of the off road section of the trail. It is less well used apparently. All in all a very good addition to the wonderful NY state trail system.
Happy Trail!
Tuesday June 28, 2022. Clear skies, temps in the mid-80's.
I knew nothing about this area before driving an hour and 50 minutes to the large nice parking lot across from a factory in the middle section of the trail. It surprised me. The other commenters are correct, but I will NEVER complain about any paved, off-road trail. FJ&G is decently paved, has varied scenery and is mostly flat. It even passes several stores where you can buy food and drink if needed, something not easily found on more than 100 other other rail trails I have ridden.
You will see old large, abandoned factory buildings, also not often seen on most rail trails. These were/are working class areas that have changed in the digital age. I found it very interesting and because it is close to the Mohawk River and the Hudson in Albany, I think it might be a nice place to live. Anyway, it was a good ride and worth a drive to get there, thought I did bundle it with another shorter nearby trail in Ballston Lake.
Happy Trails!
Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Afternoon, clear skies, temps in the mid-80's.
I bundled this trail together with the Fonda-Johnson-Gloversville (FJG) trail, which is longer. It was almost a two-hour drive to FJG, so I added BVBP.
It's a nice short jaunt, but long straights for you timekeeper riders, helped by mile markers in quarter mile increments. I would not go out of my way for it, but if you are in the area or just collecting names of places you've ridden in a spreadsheet, go for it. And, you could add a cruise past the lake too.
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