Rail trails have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly in the Hudson Valley. Anybody coming to the Poughkeepsie area is practically obligated to stop by the Walkway Over the Hudson to take in the spectacular views. For those searching for a more intimate rail trail experience, and one that especially lends itself to running, biking, or walking, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in Ulster County is an excellent alternative.
Sign at the entrance of the rail trail.
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is over 22 miles long, stretching from Wallkill to Kingston. This makes it an excellent option for exercise enthusiasts looking for a flat and well-maintained trail to run on without having to worry about sharing the road with motorists.
I walked a portion of the trail that passed through New Paltz, NY. Due to a combination of scheduling conflicts and my love of early morning walks, I chose to walk the trail at sunrise. On the drive over the Mid-Hudson Bridge, the morning fog coming off of the Hudson created an eerie scene, making it seem like the bridge went to nowhere.
Morning fog on the Mid-Hudson Bridge
Fortunately, the bridge brought me across the river, so I was able to reach the rail trail. The trees surrounding the trail didn’t provide many views of a picturesque sunrise over the Hudson Valley, but there was no shortage of fascinating sights of mist-covered ponds and trees displaying their fall foliage.
A misty pond next to the rail trail.
Fall foliage along the trail.
One of the benefits of walking the rail trail early in the morning is that there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife. Early on in the walk, I saw some signs of beaver activity, as there were several trees along the trail that had been chewed through. There was also a small stream that ran parallel to the trail, so I was immediately hopeful that I would see a beaver dam. Sure enough, the stream widened into a pond, which turned out to have been created by a beaver dam. Although I looked long and hard, i didn’t see any beavers. Fortunately, I did see a family of deer enjoying the pleasant morning.
Beaver dam alongside the rail trail.
Family of deer eating breakfast.
The beauty of a rail trail is that you can turn around at any point. When I felt that I had walked long enough, I decided to head back to where I first entered the trail, which was right by downtown New Paltz. When I made it back, I spent some time walking by the shops. Since it was so early, the most I could do was window shop, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. For those who go to the rail trail at a more reasonable hour, all that New Paltz has to offer will be fully available when you finish your walk.
Shopping area near the rail trail.
For more information on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, visit the website at: http://www.wvrta.org/
