WALDEN-WALLKILL RAIL TRAIL:
WALDEN-WALLKILL, NEW YORK
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Last Updated: August 1, 2010
Length: Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail; 2.9 miles plus a 0.3 mile on-road detour to Wooster Memorial Grove Park.
Wallkill Rail Trail; 1.3 miles plus a 0.3 mile on-road detour to the Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail.
Wooster Memorial Grove Park to River Road; 4.8 miles
Difficulty: Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail; Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.
Wallkill Rail Trail; Moderate. Flat, hard packed dirt & grass rail trail.
Directions:
To start from Walden; From I-84 take exit 28 to Route 208 north to Walden. Turn right on Route 52 (E Main St) and look for Wooster Memorial Grove Park on your right. Park here for trail.
To start from Wallkill; From I-84 take exit 28 to Route 208 north to Wallkill. Head straight across Bonaventure Ave (Route 208) to Central Ave for parking. Trail starts on south side of Bonaventure Ave just east from here.
The Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail runs along the former rail bed of the Wallkill Valley Railroad. In the late 19th century, the Wallkill Valley Railroad ferried fresh produce and vegetables from the farmlands of Ulster County to the streets of New York City. It also served as a commuter railroad for passengers traveling along the Hudson Valley. For more than a half century, the railroad supported business and tourism, provided jobs and created a critical economic link between upstate and downstate. By 1933 only one passenger train ran daily each way, and four years later, all passenger service came to a halt. Over the next few decades, numerous stations along the Wallkill line closed. In 1977, the Wallkill Valley Railroad took its last freight run. For more information visit; RAILS TO TRAILS .
Starting from Walden (Wooster Memorial Grove Park); There is an old train station in the park that appears to hold some type of Welcome Center, as well as, an open pavilion. Exit the park, following signs for the trail by heading left to a cross-walk over E Main St. Travel up Woodruff St to its end. Straight ahead after 0.3 mile is a "Lombardo Street" type path (think San Francisco) that winds it's way down to the start of the Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail. A signboard is located here where you can get a map. [Re-zeroing mileage] The paved trail travels along a berm through the woods with the Tin Brook below on your left. White 1/4 mile markers are painted on the trail. Cross Lake Osiris Rd after 0.8 miles where the trail opens up. You cross the Walden/Wallkill town line at 2.2 miles. The paved trail ends after 2.9 miles at Bonaventure Ave. Another map board located here. Head left for Wallkill parking.
Note; You may continue north on-road to reach another section of the rail trail which is not paved.
Use the cross-walk over Bonaventure Ave and continue straight along Railroad Ave which starts out as stone-dust before turning to pavement. After 0.3 mile, at the end of Railroad Ave, the Wallkill Rail Trail continues straight. This narrow trail is hard packed dirt & grass, although it starts out as gravel fill, which is a bit tough to ride. It follows along a shaded corridor between fields. You come to River Road after 1.6 miles from the end of the Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail.
Note; To connect to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, which travels north through New Paltz, you'll need to use an on-road detour around a section of the rail bed because a correctional facility has been erected on a portion of it. Turn left on River Rd, then bear right on Galeville Rd. Take your first right on Sand Hill Rd and then turn right when you reach Denniston Rd. Look along your left for the trail after 2.3 miles. See; Wallkill Valley Rail Trail .
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CLICK HERE FOR NORTH TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SOUTH TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
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