Starting at nearly sea level on Busy So. Pearl st (and there is new path linking the Mowhak Hudson Trail) you enter a curve which takes you on a bridge over So Pearl, and into unfettered nature. First the Normanskill rapids, pass under the Thruway and 9W, cross an 1850s railbridge over the Normanskill, and you begin segments of a 3-5% climb thru the backwoods of Delmar, probably as the Dutch saw it in the 1600s. There is a rest area by Stewarts where it crosses Delaware. By now you climbed about 200'. Then you continue and cross under the Cherry Ave Extension, to the Slingerlands Rest area. The rest of the trail passes thru Suburban backyards and subdivisions, fields, gradual grades, finally crossing rt 155 and vly creek, and ending at Grove and So Main Street in Voorheesville, elevation 330'. There is a replica train station there.

A great paved surface perfect for inline skating or biking. A true Treasure to the community, and there is some talk in planning materials about westward expansion.

Phase 1- the makings of a wonderful trail! Anxiously waiting for the completion of phase 2.

I have been riding this trail for years. As of November, 2020, a wonderful new section has just been introduced, stretching from Millerton, NY to Under Mountain Road. This means that the trail now covers almost 24 miles one-way from Wassaic NY all the way to Orphan Farm Road near Copake. This is a classic, beautiful trail the runs through a valley, with so many nice sections: tunnels of trees looking out over farms, places to stop in Amenia and Millerton, a section that runs right to the entrance of Taconic State Park, several raised ridges with views of fields on both sides. The newest area, from Millerton to Under Mountain Road, is perhaps the nicest of all, as it runs through an area with views of the Taconic Berkshires and runs over multiple ponds via the old train bridges (now updated for bicycles). I’ve been on rail trails all over the northeast, this is one of the very best.

This trail is just perfect. Great scenery, relatively flat, newly paved, many areas to park along this trail. We parked at Lanesborough had a great lunch at AJ which is right on trail in Adams.

So happy we found this trail! It’s beautifully paved and nearly all flat. There is a gradual downgrade for the last few miles into Adams ... which means an upgrade on the way back. ¿ We live in northern CT so it takes us about 1.5 hrs to get to the southern Trail Head ... but it’s worth the drive. We’ve ridden this trail twice this year and will be back next year!

We did this trail Columbus day weekend, the weather was perfect, the views spectacular and it wasnt very crowded at all. Will definitely do this trail again!

This is a lovely trail. We ride it to connect to the Champlain canal trail in waterford. The connection is on waterford streets, but very easy to negotiate, just look for the Empire State Trail signs and enjoy the empty gravel tail along the canal

Absolutely beautiful trail! I went on October 10, 2020. A warm sunny day, lots of bikers, walkers, And in-line skaters. The trail itself is so smooth - not one pothole. And lovely views along the lake and quieter views of the wetlands. Will definitely go again next year and highly recommend it.

The newly refurbished Ashuwillticook opens Friday Oct. 9 @ 3pm