SARATOGA GREENBELT TRAIL:
SARATOGA SPA STATE PARK TRAILS:
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: July 11, 2021
Length: Spring Run Trail; 1.1 miles.
Congress Park Outer Loop Trail; 0.7 miles
Railroad Run; 1.1 miles.
Geyser Road Trail; 2 miles
Saratoga Spa SP Inner Loop Trail; 4.5 mile Loop.
Saratoga Spa SP Outer Loop Trail; 6 mile Loop.
Difficulty: Spring Run Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Congress Park Outer Loop Trail; Easy. paved trail, short hill.
Railroad Run; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Geyser Road Trail; Easy. Flat paved trail alongside Geyser Rd.
Saratoga Spa SP Loop Trails; Easy. Mostly flat paved, stone-dust and gravel trails. Some low traffic on-road sections. Couple of slight hills.
Directions:
To Start from the East Ave parking lot [Spring Run Trail]; From I-87 take exit 15 to Routes 29 & 50 west. Just after Route 9 joins Routes 29 & 50 turn left on East Ave. Cross Excelsior Ave and come to the East Ave parking lot on your left.
To Start from the YMCA parking lot ]Railroad Run]; From I-87 take exit 13N to Route 9 north. Pass by the park and turn left on W Fenton St. This brings you to Route 50. Cross over to New St and turn left on the YMCA entrance road. The trail runs from West Ave (other entrance) out alongside the road you just came in on.
To Start from the Saratoga Automobile Museum parking lot [Saratoga Spa SP Loop Trails]; From I-87 take exit 13N to Route 9 north and travel 2.9 miles. Turn left on Ave of the Pines. Come to an intersection and continue right. On your left is the entrance. Parking lots on your right and left. SEE; SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM .
The Saratoga Greenbelt Trail was envisioned to create a figure-eight loop around and through the city connecting together several existing trails including the Railroad Run, Geyser Road Trail, Route 50 Trail and Saratoga Spa SP Trails. The plan also includes Saratoga Greenbelt Trail Connectors, such as the Spring Run Trail, North Broadway BIKE LANE and Saratoga Spa SP Trails. The Bog Meadow Trail is also included but is a walking path. Several other trails are in the planning stage including the Crescent Ave Connector, Downtown Connector and Waterline Trail. See; SARATOGA GREENBELT TRAIL and SARATOGA PLAN .
Starting from the East Ave parking lot:
Spring Run Trail:
The Spring Run Trail follows the rail bed of the old Saratoga and Schuylerville Railroad which was one of many short lines which proliferated in upstate New York in late-1800s and early-1900s. It was based in the summer resort community of Saratoga Springs, a spa and horse race/gambling Mecca, and ran east for approximately eight miles to Schuylerville, a small community on the west shore of the Hudson River. From there the S&S ran south through Wayville to Stillwater Junction and Mechanicville.
Starting from the East Ave parking lot; The paved Spring Run Trail starts from East Ave and heads east. After passing by a hardware store the trail heads past a marsh and over Spring Run. Travel underneath Excelsior Spring Ave at 0.5 miles, cross Spring Run and head into the woods. Pass by an old stone abutment and alongside Spring Run before traveling underneath Eureka Ave at 0.9 miles. Pass some type of old RR marker? on your left reading 20419. The trail currently ends after 1.1 miles just below I-87.
Route 50 Trail:
Starting from the East Ave parking lot; Travel north up East Ave to Excelsior Ave and head right along a short BIKE LANE. Continue on-road (sidewalk available). Past Veteran Way the road is narrow. Bear left and as you spot Route 50 on your left you'll pick up the Route 50 Trail on your left after 1 mile. This paved trail continues east alongside Route 50, taking you over I-87 and ending after 1.5 miles at Louden Rd.
Downtown Connector Trail:
Note; Construction is planned on the Downtown Connector/Route 50 Trail in 2021. Plans include constructing a 1.6 mile multi-use trail from the corner of Lake & High Rock Ave, extending up High Rock Ave to Excelsior Ave and terminating at the Route 50 bridge over I-87. The project will include a multi-use trail on one side of High Rock Ave and Excelsior Ave. The trail will replace the existing sidewalk with a 10 foot multi-use trail.
Starting from the East Ave parking lot; Travel north up East Ave to Excelsior Ave and head left on-road (sidewalk available). Turn left on-road along High Rock Ave (low traffic/sidewalk available). Pass by High Rock Park (picnic tables, gazebo, Spring and 911 Memorial) at 0.5 miles. Cross Lake Ave and continue straight along Pavilion Row. Come to Caroline St and head right along a wide sidewalk, then left along Putnam St. This will bring you to Spring St at 1.1 miles. Cross over to Congress Park where you'll find a Carousal. The park contains gardens, natural springs and the SARATOGA SPRINGS HISTORY MUSEUM ).
Note; Paved trails crisscross this park. I would suggest checking out the Congress Park Outer Loop Trail to experience the most of the wonderful park. From the Carousal; Head left past the Carousal along a stone-dust trail. You'll travels through the Italian Gardens coming to a Statute Garden. Head right along a small canal. Walk your bike along this narrow path. Cross a bridge and head left past a fountain and alongside the Saratoga Springs History Museum. This brings you to E Congress St (this street intersects the park). Head left up a short hill to a wide, paved trail on your right. This trail travels above the park with views below of the World War Memorial pavilion and pond and War Memorial. The trail then reverts to stone-dust. Come to an intersection and head right down a paved trail to Putnam Pond. Bear left around this pond along stone-dust coming to the Deer Park Spring. Head left passing between the Columbian Spring on your left and Congress Spring on the right. Cross back over E Congress St and come to the Congress Park sign.
Note; The Downtown Connector Trail continues left across Broadway on-road along Congress St.
Travel right back into the park keeping left past the front of a large fountain. Come to an intersection.
Note; Left leads to the restrooms and the Saratoga Art building.
Head right returning to the Carousal after a 0.7 mile Loop.
Continuing along the Downtown Connector Trail [Not counting Congress Park Loop Mileage] from the Carousal; Head straight through the center of the park along a wide paved trail passing by the Saratoga Springs History Museum. This brings you to past the West Casino Fountain to E Congress St. Cross over to a brick lined path. To your left is the World War Memorial pavilion and pond. Head right along a stone-dust trail bearing right between the Columbian Spring on your left and Congress Spring on the right. Cross back over E Congress St and come to the Congress Park sign at Broadway.
Note; Heading right on-road along Broadway you'll cross Van Dam St to N Broadway after 0.5 miles and pick up the North Broadway BIKE LANE which continues north past Skidmore College terminating at Broadway Entrance Rd after 1.4 miles.
Head left across Broadway to Congress St and travel on-road. Come to Congress Pl at 1.6 miles on your left (narrow road between buildings). Bear right out to S Franklin St (residential) and head left. Turn left along Beekman St and come to W Circular St at 1.9 miles and the start of the paved Railroad Run across the street.
Railroad Run:
The Railroad Run is a rail trail that utilizes an old segment of the D & H Railway (circa 1832) that ran between Schenectady and Saratoga Spa.
Starting from West Circular Street; No official trail parking located here. [Re-zeroing mileage] The Railroad Run starts off with two parallel trails running south from W Circular St. One is paved and the other consists of stone-dust with a tree and flower median between them. Cross New St and continue south along a single paved trail. At 0.7 miles you'll pass by a spur trail to the YMCA parking lot.
Note; A 0.2 mile paved nature trail with informational signboards travels behind the YMCA and out to West Ave. Future plans call for the creation of the Waterline Trail starting across the street where an old rail line existed.
Continue south through a wooded corridor out to a cross-light over busy Route 50 at 1.1 miles. Cross over Route 50 and you'll come to the Saratoga Spa State Park Loop Trail.
Starting from the Saratoga Automobile Museum parking lot:
SARATOGA SPA SP LOOP TRAILS:
Saratoga Spa State Park is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is noted for its diverse cultural, aesthetic and recreational resources. In addition to the nationally-known Saratoga Performing Arts Center ( SPAC ), the Spa Little Theater, the National Museum of Dance, the SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM , the Gideon Putnam Resort and Roosevelt Baths & Spa, the park offers a multitude of traditional recreation opportunities. There are many trails throughout the park. I've pieced together two Loop Trails that traverse the Park. The Outer Loop Trail encircles the park while the Inner Loop Trail is a bit shorter but has more sights to see. For more information visit; SARATOGA SPA SP .
Starting from the Saratoga Automobile Museum entrance & Ave of the Pines; Map Boards on both sides of the entrance.
Note; To access the Geyser Road Trail follow the cross walk over Ave of the Pines to a paved trail. Right, spot the stone spring water pavilion. Head left along Ave of the Pines out to Route 50. Cross over to the start of the Geyser Road Trail after 0.2 miles. See Below.
Saratoga Spa SP Inner Loop Trail:
From the Map Board: Head left (west) along the paved Inner/Outer Loop Trail past the front of the Saratoga Automobile Museum where the trail veers away from the Ave of the Pines and around the back of the museum to the rear parking lot. Continue straight (south) away from the parking lot past a dam on Geyser Brook and into some woods. This brings you to a hard packed dirt trail. Turn right and travel between a fence on your left and a steep drop off to your right down to the brook. This brings you to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Travel around the box office to a paved trail next to the huge parking lot. Continue south along this paved trail and you quickly come to a small gravel trail on your left at 0.9 miles.
Note; The Outer Loop Trail continues straight. See Below.
The Inner Loop Trail heads down this gravel path to pick up the paved road (No cars allowed). Picnic tables located here. Head left around a short loop to a pavilion overlooking Geyser Brook at Orenda Spring. Continue straight down the road paralleling the brook and you'll come to a parking lot off Geyser Loop Rd at 1.1 miles.
Note; A short hiking trail starts here next to the Hayes Spring and Island Spouter and loops around the Geyser Brook. Map board and more picnic tables.
Cross Geyser Loop Rd to Picnic Lane, travel past a small shed and turn left along the stone-dust trail as it parallels the brook. Tons of picnic tables and kids wading in the warm spring water. Pass by a bridge over the brook, then the Karista Pavilion on your right before you come to a second bridge. Head left over the brook and left again along the parking lot. The trail then brings you to a crosswalk over Geyser Loop Rd where you pick up a gravel trail heading into the woods. Follow this wide gravel trail uphill through a scenic ravine alongside a small stream. You'll emerge onto the North-South Rd at 1.8 miles. Head left along a stone-dust trail, past the gate house and you'll come to Roosevelt Drive. The trail continues left but you'll cross Roosevelt Drive and continue straight on-road past the Roosevelt Bath Houses and Little Theatre (Center of the park) before coming to a cross-walk. Turn right along the paved path through the open trees. Continue straight at the next intersection and you'll come to the Gideon Putnam Hotel. Travel left past the hotel to a parking lot and out to Gideon Putnam Rd. Head right. Just past the hotel the road is closed to traffic at 2.4 miles. Follow the open road out to Route 9 at 2.9 miles.
Note; Here you'll intersect with the Outer Loop Trail coming in from your right.
Both the Inner Loop Trail and Outer Loop Trail travel left (north) along the paved trail which parallels Route 9. Open fields and marsh along your left. When the trail splits bear right out to the junction of Route 9 & Avenue of the Pines at 3.2 miles where you'll be rewarded with tons of flowers. This is the Main Park Entrance. Now head left on the paved trail back into the park along Avenue of the Pines. You'll come to a road crossing for the Warming Hut at 3.4 miles.
Note; The Outer Loop Trail continues right across the road.
Continue straight alongside Ave of the Pines. After 3.6 miles spot a paved trail across the road.
Note; The Outer Loop Trail continues across the road.
Continue south straight alongside Ave of the Pines where the trail bears left out to and across Gideon Putnam Rd. Head right along a stone-dust trail and return to the Saratoga Automobile Museum entrance & Map Board after a 4.5 mile Loop.
Saratoga Spa SP Outer Loop Trail:
From the Map Board: Head left (west) along the paved Inner/Outer Loop Trail past the front of the Saratoga Automobile Museum where the trail veers away from the Ave of the Pines and around the back of the museum to the rear parking lot. Continue straight (south) away from the parking lot past a dam on Geyser Brook and into some woods. This brings you to a hard packed dirt trail. Turn right and travel between a fence on your left and a steep drop off to your right down to the brook. This brings you to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Travel around the box office to a paved trail next to the huge parking lot. Continue south along this paved trail and you quickly come to a small gravel trail on your left at 0.9 miles.
Note; The Inner Loop Trail heads left. See Above.
Continuing straight (South) on the Outer Loop Trail along the parking lot the trail soon bears left bringing you out to Geyser Loop Rd. Head right through Coesa Pavilion where you pass through some woods before emerging along the East-West Rd after 1.4 miles. A parking lot is located to your right just off route 50. Travel left on-road past the entrance gate following East-West Rd east (low traffic/park road). A slight uphill grade. Pass by the Peerless Pool, cross over Geyser Creek and pass by North-South Rd at about 2.4 miles. Pass by the entrance gate and just before Route 9 you'll pass by a map board. Here you pick up the paved trail at 2.8 miles. The paved trail winds through the woods, out alongside the golf course and heads north paralleling Route 9 (separated by trees and bushes most of the way). Along your left is the tree nursery. You come to Gideon Putnam Rd (Closed to cars) at 3.8 miles.
Note; Here you'll intersect with the Inner Loop Trail coming in from your left.
Both the Inner Loop Trail and Outer Loop Trail continue straight (North) along the paved trail which parallels Route 9. Open fields and marsh along your left. When the trail splits bear right out to the junction of Route 9 & Avenue of the Pines at 4.1 miles where you'll be rewarded with tons of flowers. This is the Main Park Entrance. Now head left on the paved trail back into the park along Avenue of the Pines. When you come to a road crossing for the Warming Hut stop.
Note; The Inner Loop Trail continues straight.
You'll need to cross over Avenue of the Pines to another paved trail along the entrance to the old Washington Baths. The paved trail continues straight to a parking lot, but you head left across the road and travel around the front of the white building which houses the Park Police. Continue straight past the Lincoln Baths, across a parking lot, to the front of the National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame. Head right out the entrance road to Route 9 and turn left. Follow the sidewalk north to W Fenton St and turn left where you'll pick up a stone-dust trail. Travel through a corridor of Pine trees out to Avenue of the Pines at 5.1 miles.
Note; The Inner Loop Trail continues across the road.
Continue right which brings you out to Route 50. Head left alongside Route 50 (golf course on your left) and come to a crosswalk after 5.5 miles.
Note; Right across Route 50 leads to the Railroad Run.
Continue south between Route 50 and the golf course for a short distance before the trail winds left into the Park. You travel around the golf course parking lot and out to Avenue of the Pines.
Note; Right leads to the Geyser Road Trail. See Below.
Hang a left to the crosswalk. Spot the stone spring water pavilion on your left. Cross Avenue of the Pines and return to the Saratoga Automobile Museum entrance & Map Board after a 6 mile Loop.
Geyser Road Trail:
Starting from the Saratoga Automobile Museum entrance & Ave of the Pines; Map Board here. Follow the cross walk over Ave of the Pines to a paved trail. Right, spot the stone spring water pavilion. Head left along this trail out to Route 50. Cross over to the start of the Geyser Road Trail after 0.2 miles. [Re-zeroing Mileage] The wide, paved Geyser Road Trail travels along the north side of the road. Some slight hills. Cross a bridge over the RR tracks at 0.5 miles. RR Yard on your right. You then travel past Veterans Memorial Park and its sports fields. The trail ends after 2 miles across from Hayes Dr as you enter a commercial corridor. Sidewalk available.
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CLICK HERE FOR SARATOGA SPA SP MAP
CLICK HERE FOR RAILROAD RUN MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SPRING RUN TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SARATOGA GREENBELT TRAILS MAP
CLICK HERE FOR CONGRESS PARK MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT