Old Mine Railroad Trail

Fahnestock State Park is a relatively undiscovered gems in the New York State Park System. Located a few miles east of Cold Spring Village on Rt. 301 (Main Street), the park jurisdiction was recently expanded to include almost 10,000 acres of undeveloped land with an extensive network of trails maintained by the state and the New York-New Jersey trail conference.

Ridges running from southwest to northeast dominate the terrain. Between them are several lakes and ponds and numerous wetlands and streams. Although there are occasional steep sections, there are no long or difficult climbs, and for the most part grades are moderate.

The network of trails in the park makes it possible to plan a great variety of outings, ranging from easy rambles for families with children to strenuous all day hikes. Pick up a box lunch and enjoy the back country experience less than 60 miles from one of the largest cities in the world. Just remember to pack out what you pack in so others may enjoy the unblemished scenery.

Trails are blazed with round plastic discs of various colors or rectangular painted marks. A double blaze, one above the other, indicates a turn with the upper blaze offset in the direction of the turn. A triple blaze in a triangle pattern indicates the start or end of a trail.

The trails are restricted to day use only. Camping or making fires is not permitted. No vehicles are permitted on any hiking trails. This includes mountain bikes as well as all terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles and snowmobiles.

NOTE: The part of the Old Mine Railroad Trail from the Appalachian Trail to the dam at Hidden Lake is now closed. The trail has been rerouted from the 3 Lakes Trail over the dam to connect with the remaining part of the trail. The dam at Hidden Lake will be repaired and raise the water level, possibly
covering the now closed section.

Parking and Trail Access

Mountain Bikes Only

August 2020 lughnerson

August 2020
Not my kind of trail. It is here, I did it, but did not enjoy it. Maybe I am lazy or spoiled by rail trails. VERY hilly, with trees I had to go over, under, and around. The trail does go past some very nice ponds, so it is worth a visit if you are a hiker or mountain biker.

No bicycles. Seriously. No bicycles.

March 2016 russnelson_tl

I approached this trail from the south, where it is signed by name but nothing more. Portions of it could be bicycled. Most of it, however, is incompatible with wheels. Then, when I got to the north end of the trial, oops, then I saw the sign saying no bicycles. Sorry. Too late. Bicycled around on the highway to get to my car.

When I rode it, the description was accurate. A portion which is the old railbed was closed, and swampy anyway. The rerouting worked fine, however.

A Rustic Retreat!

March 2002 Anonymous

"Hiker Review.

This trail's distance is open to interpretation. The first 0.7 miles of the railbed (south from Rte 301 at Lake Canopus) is part of the Appalachian Trail, and is designated as the AT. At 0.7 miles, the AT leaves the railbed to the left, and the trail becomes known as the Old Mine Railroad Trail (2.2 miles from here). It is marked by yellow blazes. The trail is supported by extensive rock work bridging several wet areas. It passes Hidden Lake on two causeways, passing through thick laurel growth. In the lower section, a woods road joins the railbed and runs along with it. Just before John Allen Pond, the trail turns sharply left, and crosses the pond inlet at a point of land, where the original railbed disappears into the pond. The trail follows the shore of the pond through dense laurels and soon reaches the dirt Sunk Mine Road.

This trail is very scenic and mostly level. Maps are available at the park or through the NYNJ Trail Conference with which one can plan many loop hikes with other park trails and woods roads.

Rates an 8 out of 10!

-Fred"

New York

3 Reviews