BLACK BRIDGE TRAIL:
PEEBLES ISLAND STATE PARK TRAILS:
COHOES-WATERFORD, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 22, 2025
Length: Black Bridge Trail; 2.6 miles
Peebles Island SP Loop Trail; 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Black Bridge Trail; Easy. Flat paved trail.
Peebles Island SP Loop Trail; Moderate. Hilly, stone-dust & hard packed dirt trails. Some tree roots.
Directions:
To start from the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center [Northern End]; Take I-787 north to Route 787 north to Route 32 (Saratoga Ave) across the Mohawk River into downtown Waterford. Turn right down 2nd St which will bring you to the parking lot on your right just before the bridge.
The Black Bridge Trail, also known as the Delaware Ave Trail begins in Waterford from the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center. It travels South, across the Mohawk River to Peebles Island State Park, then crosses the Mohawk River again to Van Schaick Island in Cohoes. It then follows Delaware Ave to the Black Bridge, a former Delaware & Hudson Railroad Bridge, built in the 1890s, that again spans the Mohawk River over to Green Island. I'm not sure if the other two bridges were also old RR bridges and just how much of the trail follows the old Delaware & Hudson rail bed. At Peebles Island State Park you can access a Loop Trail around the island. From the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center you can access the Old Champlain Canal Trail or connect to the Uncle Sam Bikeway via a short on-road detour. For more information visit; PEEBLES ISLAND STATE PARK .
The Black Bridge Trail is also part of the Empire State Trail , which will be a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North, to Canada and Buffalo East, to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation.
Black Bridge Trail:
Starting from the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center [Northern End]; A small museum is located in the upper section of the Visitor Center, by the parking lot. A brick path from the parking lot will take you down to the Canal Walkway, which travels alongside both the Mohawk River & Erie Canal. Map Board & restrooms located here.
Note; Heading Northwest, along the Canal Walkway, alongside the Erie Canal, will take you to an intersection just below the South St bridge. Right, a brick & cement path will take you up and over the South St bridge, along the Southern End of the Champlain Canalway Trail; Waterford-Mechanicville . Continuing North, underneath the South St bridge, will take along the Champlain Canalway Trail; Waterford-Mechanicville .
Head Southeast, along the Canal Walkway, alongside the Mohawk River and underneath the 2nd St bridge to a paved trail on your left. This is the start of the Black Bridge Trail.
Note; Continuing Southeast, along the Canal Walkway, will take you out to Battery Point and the Waterford Boat Launch parking lot. To access the Uncle Sam Bikeway in Troy, head back through the parking lot to 1st St. Follow 1st St North, on-road (residential), out to Broad St (Route 4). See; Uncle Sam Bikeway .
The Black Bridge Trail will take you up to the 2nd Street Bridge (this old 1913 RR bridge now has one lane for cars, along with a separate pedestrian bridge). Travel South, across the Mohawk River & Erie Canal to Pebbles Island State Park and a Gate.
Note; To your right, across the road, you'll spot a Map Board, BIKE STATION & a stone-dust trail. See; Peebles Island State Park Loop Trail Below.
Continue straight along the paved trail across Peebles Island.
Note; A side trail on your left leads to a picnic pavilion and a promenade overlooking the Hudson River.
Come to an old green RR Bridge after 0.7 miles.
Note; To your right, across the road, housed in the old brick building with old silo is the PEEBLES ISLAND STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER .
Again, this old RR bridge now contains one lane for cars, along with a separate pedestrian bridge. You'll cross over another portion of the Mohawk River to Van Schaick Island. Here the paved Delaware Ave Trail, travels South, alongside Delaware Ave. The Mohawk River follows along your right. The trail cross the road and passes by a Map Board at 1.1 miles. The trail now travels along a residential corridor, before crossing Ontario St at 1.6 miles. Just past some ball fields look right to spot the old Van Schaick Family Cemetery. Come to Van Schaick Ave at 2 miles.
Note; Van Schaick Park is located just up this road.
The trail then leaves Delaware Ave behind and takes you to the Black Bridge at 2.4 miles. This 1890 RR Bridge was part of the Delaware & Hudson RR Line. You cross over the Mohawk River one last time to Green Island. Here the paved trail takes you out to the Cannon Street parking area at 2.6 miles. A sidewalk continues alongside Cannon St.
Note; If you continue South, on-road (low traffic), along Cannon St, you'll come to Veterans Memorial Dr on your right. If you head right, West, you'll come to Dyke Ave 0.5 miles. Dyke Ave is part of an on-road portion of the Mohawk Hudson Bikeway .
Peebles Island State Park Loop Trail:
Starting from the Gate after crossing the 2nd Street Bridge [Northeast End]; Cross the road to a Map Board, BIKE STATION & start of the Peebles Island State Park Loop Trail. Follow the stone-dust Perimeter Trail West, around the side of the brick building to the back of the complex where the trail becomes hard packed dirt and gravel, with the occasional tree root. Continue straight at the intersection into the woods. The trail winds through the woods with some hills and many side trails. Just keep left at every intersection and you'll eventually come out above the Mohawk River at 0.6 miles. Follow the trail South, along the East Side of the Island and alongside the river. A nice promenade overlooks the Southern End of the Island. Caution; Very steep drop offs. Trail now travels North, along the West Side of the Island. Travel along some sheer cliffs at 1.2 miles. Pass by a bench pavilion on your right with informational signs at 1.6 miles. Come to the Northern Tip of the Island where you can spot the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center across the river. The trail then turns inland. Turn left at your next intersection and this will return you to the back of the complex. Then head left to complete your Loop of 2.2 miles.
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