Wallkill Valley Rail Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wallkill Valley Rail Trail |
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The trail in Gardiner where it crosses Route 44/55
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| Length | 23.7 miles (38.1 km) |
| Location | Ulster County, New York |
| Designation | National Recreation Trail, 2007 |
| Trailheads | |
| Use | Hiking, jogging, bike riding, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing |
| Sights | |
| Website | Wallkill Valley Land Trust |
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a fun outdoor path in Ulster County, New York. It's about 22.5-mile (36.2 km) long and used to be a railroad track! Now, it's a great place for hiking, biking, and exploring nature.
This trail goes through several towns like Gardiner, New Paltz, Rosendale, and Ulster, all the way to Kingston. You can see amazing sights like the Shawangunk Ridge, the Rondout Creek, and the Wallkill River. A special part of the trail is the Rosendale Trestle, a really tall bridge!
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is also part of the bigger Empire State Trail. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the area's history.
Contents
Discovering the Trail's Past
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail wasn't always a path for people to enjoy. It used to be a busy railroad line called the Wallkill Valley Railroad. This railroad ran for about 33 miles (53 km) from Montgomery to Kingston. It operated from 1866 until it stopped regular train service on December 31, 1977.
After the railroad closed, the company that owned it, Conrail, started taking apart the tracks and selling off parts of the land. In 1985, the state bought a small section of the old rail line to build a prison. Other towns also bought parts of the railroad to create trails. For example, the towns of Montgomery and Shawangunk created the Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail.
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail was the 17th rail trail made in New York State. In 2007, it became a National Recreation Trail, which means it's recognized as an important trail for everyone to enjoy.
How New Paltz and Gardiner Got Their Trail Sections
In 1983, the town of New Paltz started thinking about what to do with the old railroad land. They realized it would be perfect for a trail where people could hike, run, bike, and cross-country ski.
In 1988, a local group called the Wallkill Valley Land Trust stepped in. They worked to buy the 12-mile (19 km) section of the old rail line between New Paltz and Gardiner. This purchase was completed in 1991. The towns of New Paltz and Gardiner then bought their sections from the Land Trust.
The trail between New Paltz and Gardiner officially opened on October 9, 1993. It was a big step towards creating the amazing trail we have today!
Over the years, parts of the trail needed repairs. In 2006, Gardiner received a grant to help fix its section, and they bought it in 2007. This allowed them to improve the trail and make it even better for visitors.
The trail has also been connected to other paths. In 2009, New Paltz received money to link its section of the trail to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. This connection was finished in 2010, making it possible to reach the famous Poughkeepsie Bridge from the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail! Another project connected the trail to the Sojourner Truth park, making it easier for everyone to access.
The Rosendale Section and Its Famous Trestle
The Rosendale part of the trail is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km) long and includes the incredible Rosendale Trestle. This bridge is 940-foot (290 m) long and rises 150 feet (46 m) above the Rondout Creek and State Route 213. When it was built, it was the highest bridge of its kind in the United States!
For a while, the Rosendale section and the trestle were owned by a private person. After some time, Ulster County took ownership of the land because of unpaid taxes in 2009. The Wallkill Valley Land Trust and the Open Space Institute then bought the property. Their goal was to add it to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
The bridge needed a lot of work, so it was closed for repairs in 2009. After much effort, the renovations were finished in 2013, and the Rosendale Trestle was finally opened to the public! This completed the entire 23.7 miles (38.1 km) Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, allowing people to travel all the way to Kingston.
There are also plans to connect the Rosendale section of the trail to other regional trails. This would create a large network of trails, about 35-mile (56 km) long, across several towns.
Exploring the Trail's Route
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail starts in the southern part of Gardiner. As you head north, you'll cross a few roads and soon reach the hamlet of Gardiner. Here, the trail crosses U.S. Route 44 (which is also State Route 55).
In Gardiner, you can see where an old dairy creamery used to be. This creamery shipped its products to New York City by train! The old Gardiner railroad station was also here, but it burned down in 2002.
Further north, the trail crosses over Forest Glen Road on an overpass. This bridge was rebuilt in 1910. After a bit more walking, you'll enter the town of New Paltz.
Soon after entering New Paltz, you'll cross a bridge over Plattekill Creek. You can see the beautiful Shawangunk Ridge from this bridge! The original wooden bridge here burned down in 1880, so it was rebuilt with stone.
The trail then leads to the Sojourner Truth park in the village of New Paltz. A small footbridge connects the park to the trail. You'll then cross Water Street and enter the Water Street Market, a cool area with shops and cafes.
Next, the trail crosses State Route 299 and passes by La Stazione, the old railroad station. This building was rebuilt after a fire in 1907 and is now an Italian restaurant. The trail also goes through Huguenot Street, a historic area with old stone houses from the 1600s!
About 1 mile (1.6 km) from Huguenot Street, you'll reach the 413-foot (126 m) Springtown bridge, which crosses the Wallkill River. This bridge was originally made of wood but was rebuilt with iron in the 1880s. Volunteers added the decking and benches in 1993.
The trail continues west of the Wallkill River. After a few miles, you'll reach the border between New Paltz and Rosendale. The trail then continues for about 3 miles (4.8 km) to the hamlet of Rosendale. From here, the trail crosses the famous Rosendale Trestle and continues over Interstate 87 to Kingston, ending near State Route 32.
Fun Activities and Sights
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a great place for many activities! You can go hiking, jogging, bike riding, horseback riding, and even cross-country skiing in the winter.
In New Paltz, the trail connects to the Sojourner Truth park. From this park, you can access the Wallkill River for kayaking and canoeing. The trail also connects to the Minnewaska Preserve and Mohonk Preserve, which have many more miles of paths to explore.
In Rosendale, the trail connects to the Binnewater Historic District. This area was once home to many quarries that produced Rosendale cement. At its busiest, this area made millions of barrels of cement each year! Another historic area along the Rosendale section is the Snyder Estate Natural Cement Historic District, which was also a mining site.
The Rosendale Trestle is a popular spot for picnics and even weddings! You can see amazing views from the bridge, including the Rondout Creek and State Route 213.
Along the trail, you'll see many shale rock formations. You can also get great views of the Shawangunk Ridge to the west. If you look closely, you might even spot the skytop tower of the Mohonk Mountain House on one of the cliffs!
There are several places to park your car along the trail. In Gardiner, there's a lot on Farmers Turnpike. In New Paltz, you can park at the Sojourner Truth park, off Springtown Road, at the Huguenot Historical Society, and at a BOCES conference center. The trail runs next to state routes 208 and 32, and there are "park and ride" lots on Route 32 in New Paltz and Rosendale. You'll also find bicycle shops in Gardiner and New Paltz if you need bike supplies.
Trail Surface
The surface of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is mostly made of gravel. When you cross roads, those sections are paved. If you plan to bike, mountain bikes are recommended because the trail can be a bit rough in places. Cars are not allowed on the trail, keeping it safe for everyone. In the winter, the trail is perfect for cross-country skiing!
Plants and Animals
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. As you walk or bike, you might see various trees and shrubs.
Some of the trees you might spot include sumac and honeysuckle shrubs, American elm, bigtooth aspen, and quaking aspen. As you go south towards Gardiner, you'll also find sugar maple, American beech, tulip-tree, and black birch. Other common trees along the trail are red maple, shagbark hickory, northern pin oak, eastern red cedar, white ash, and eastern white pine.
Many animals live near the trail, even if you don't always see them. You might find their tracks! These could belong to bears, deer, coyotes, bobcats, skunks, and rabbits.
The trail is also a great place for birdwatching, especially in winter. Many bird species stay in the area during the colder months. Look for birds like the mourning dove, blue jay, bluebird, cardinal, starling, downy woodpecker, American goldfinch, tufted titmouse, black-capped chickadee, sparrow, and purple finch.
