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The first section of the Corkscrew Rail Trail opened in June 2015. It begins at Knapp Road in Stephentown and heads south under a shady tree canopy towards New Lebanon, near the New York/Massachusetts border.
The natural surface rail-trail follows the route of the Rutland Railroad, which carried freight and passengers until 1952. This section of tracks was nicknamed “The Corkscrew” because of its tight turns between hills.
Future plans call for continuing the trail north into Petersburg and the Cherry Plain State Park.
There are no curves or bends in this section. Just a straight line. There is a dirt track in the middle. For the kids there are signs with questions which is nice
Sad, if you want to bike it. closed at both sides and both sides are asking for donations. for what?
We pulled off on a very sleepy Knapps Road and headed South from there. It had just rained and the woods were damp, quiet, and fragrant-no bugs to speak of. This would be a great short ride on a hot day as the trail is 95% shaded. The track is often single lane narrow but widens occasionally as when on the gravel driveway to a lodge. Just as the southern portion met a lovely stream and looked really interesting, the trail officially ended. We were tempted by the ATV tracks beyond but decided not to violate the Private signs. Hope that leg gets added! We poked along, it was barely an hour back and forth.
When I rode it in September 2016, it stopped a short way into the town of New Lebanon, dead-ending before it reached the village. It's a nice ride as far as it goes. Hopefully it's now as long as the map says it is.
I parked along the road on the Knapps road end. The trail was unpaved but fairly flat. There was one small section that dipped down and back up. I had to stop and turn back when the trail met a rather large stream. It was mid April and a lot of water was flowing. I couldn't see a way across. Maybe after spring it is easier to cross?
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